Brenda Stichter, artist

Beyer Trail Landscape Makoto Fujimura has written an excellent book called Culture Care , and I have really enjoyed reading it! I currently have a lot of highlighting and bracketing in my copy.  9 x 12"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on canvas Click here to view on my website. Here are some quotes that I have particularly enjoyed: "An encounter with beauty can show us what could be, and can make us rightly dissatisfied with the way things are." pp. 55-56 "Art is ultimately not "useful". It serves no practical function. This is why it is indispensable, especially in the modern age." p.81 "I am not a Christian artist. I am a Christian, yes, and an artist. I dare not treat the powerful presence of Christ in my life as an adjective. I want Christ to be my whole being." p. 84 With a couple of chapters to go, I look forward to finishing the book. I cannot tell you how many pages of underlining I have i...

Gomer's Wilderness "Which comes first, the inspiration or the painting?" This is probably the most common question I get when people talk to me about my paintings, and it is not always easy to answer. I am not sure how to explain exactly when the inspiration kicks in on some paintings, but on some, the concept is there before I even choose what size my painting will be.    Today's painting is one where the concept 'sneaked up on me'. I think that once in a while the subconscious thoughts on my mind just start to present themselves on my canvas.  I have been reading in the Old Testament for quite a few months now. (I like to read through the Bible in order, and then return and start over from the beginning when I finish.) I reached the remarkable story of Hosea and Gomer, and I was struck with a particular verse. GOD was using the relationship of the prophet, Hosea, and his promiscuous wife, Gomer to illustrate GOD's relationship with His people,...

Last Supper “What did Jesus do on Thursday?” I asked my Beloved Husband this morning, as he gave my shoulders a good massage. “Friday was the crucifixion, and last Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday, so what was HE doing on Thursday?” We agreed that it would have been the day for the Last Supper with HIS disciples, and that we would have to go to the Bible to brush up on a more precise timeline of HIS last week. After my BH headed off to work, I did get my Bible and read, both a New Testament account of the last week, and a section in the Old Testament where I have been reading each day. On Tuesday or Wednesday, the costly perfume was lavished on Jesus. The alabaster jar that was expensive, and was broken and completely spent on HIM was evidently the last straw for HIS follower, Judas Iscariot. Judas was responsible for the money for the group of Jesus and HIS followers, and it must have seemed just beyond reason to spend that much in such an impractical way! I read about ...

When the Morning Stars Sang Update: There are two things that I need to tell you in the days since this painting was first released. First, I don't think you can still zoom way out on Google maps and see the world like you could when we were looking at it on our couch that day. Second, there are a couple of repairs on this painting, and let me tell you about them. (You cannot see the repairs without really searching for them.) The first one is a repair of a hole in the front of the painting. It happened within days of painting it, and at that time, I was SO disappointed! However, I mentioned the 'injury' to an elder at the church where we attend, and he said, "It isn't a painting about creation, is it? Because if it is, damage, and then repair is very fitting." Wow! That made such a difference to me, because yes, it IS about creation! The second scar is on the edge of the canvas, and happened from the many travels this work has been on. Again, you cannot...

Abstract 026b This morning, I enjoyed some great 'conversation' (digitally speaking) with my adult kids. We were looking at an essay my son is writing as he applies to grad school, and here are parts of the conversation: Son (written as part of his essay): As an example: what if, instead of having all the artwork in a church facility being images of the cross, an empty tomb, or Jesus with the little children (paintings I’m sure we’ve all seen thousands of times), our buildings were filled with a medley of different techniques, subjects, palettes, and focuses that still bring beauty and draw our metaphorical eyes to our Heavenly Father, but which could also be a point of drawing in people from outside our faith? What if our music on Sunday mornings didn’t simply have a technical focus of being easy to sing and arranged in an inoffensive manner (though these are noble and often necessary targets), but we put forth a desire for beauty and diversity in the music, and aspire...

Abstract 026a "You can study for renewing your flight instructor certificate, and I will work on my blog, my newsletter, updating my website, uploading paintings... " My Beloved Husband and I were on a weekend get-away that was (supposed to be) work oriented. We stayed on a harbor on Lake Michigan where we had huge windows with a view of a marina and a little outdoor seating area. Oh, it was so satisfying to sit and look at the water, and to listen to the rain. I got a lot done, if you count soaking in beauty and spending precious time with my Beloved. Not so much if you are checking up on my computer work! Sold 22"  x 22", part two of a diptych  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free watercolor paper Framed in simple frame Click here to view on my website. Click here for my blogpost for Abstract 026b (part two of this dyptic) . This painting is the first part of a diptych, with the second being posted tomorrow. (At least, I th...

Breakthrough When I asked Google to define 'breakthrough', here is what it said.  break·through /ˈbrākˌTHro͞o/ noun -a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development. -an instance of achieving success in a particular sphere or activity. I can think of at least three areas in my life where I would welcome a boost these days. One of them is in my painting. It is not so much that I want a leap in ability or technique as I want a deeper dedication and commitment to practice and learning. Don't get me wrong - I would welcome a magical leap in skill and especially in marketing. Wouldn't everyone? But that breakthrough in focus... 20  x 20"  painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint  on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper Ready to frame   While I was reading my Bible this morning, I was asking my Heavenly Father for a breakthrough of a different kind. I was asking for a renewed passion for Him and His path for ...