Breath of Peace

Breath of Peace

36" x 24"

Acrylic on gallery wrapped linen

$600

Also available as prints and note cards.

For an upcoming gallery show entitled, "Black, White and One" I chose this statue's serene face, and aside from black and white I have used only Pthalo Green.  Often during the process I move the painting out of my studio so that I can walk a distance from it and study what still needs to be done, since as you most likely know, I pray and paint as I feel God directs me.  While standing and praying, about half way through her creation, another artist came and looked with me and said in an awe-filled whisper, "She's breathing!"

John 14:27:  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 20:21-22:  Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you!  As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you."  And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Servant Heart

Servant Heart

18" x 24"

Oil on canvas

Unavailable, part of a private collection

Available as prints and note cards.

Boy, did I make a mistake with the description of this one!  This lovely child angel is a baptismal font, however, she is NOT in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Olde Towne Portsmouth.  Dean Burgess graciously gave me a whole stack of photos of various angel statuary he had kept for years, and I misunderstood him to say that this statue was part of Trinity.  When I took a part time position there, I asked him to remind me where this precious child is.  He showed me that "Elizabeth", a young woman angel, is the baptismal font there, and he has no idea where my precious angel child stands.  Sorry that I misled you!  It was definitely unintentional.

The marble of the shell she holds is almost translucent and the quality of light fascinated me.  So, for the painting, I decided to imbue the implied water with a sacred reflective light of its own.  I hope you find meaning in this image.  She gladdens my heart!

I couldn't choose between so many wonderful scriptures about servants and so I've included quite a few here.  Perhaps one will be especially meaningful to you!

2 Samuel 7:29:  Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

1 Kings 8:23:  and said: “LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.

Deuteronomy 3:24:  “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

Joshua 22:5:  But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

1 Samuel 3:9:  So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 25:41:  She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Psalm 4:3:  Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 34:22:  The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 86:4:  Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

Psalm 103:21:  Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Psalm 134:1:  A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

Angel of Victory

Angel of Victory

18" x 36" acrylic on canvas

$650

The references for this angel painting came from some of my photographs taken in Richmond, VA, in the Hollywood Cemetery. One of my favorite things about the old statues is the absolute serenity so often masterfully carved into their stances and facial expressions.  When I was younger I did a lot of stone carving, so I'm especially impressed with these artisans of days past.  The actual statue portrays a younger angel, more like a girl really.  This painting is intended to express the successful warrior angel whose task has been completed and the loved one safely removed from all of life's peril and suffering to heaven's realm of peace and joy.

A praise song from my early days of walking with Christ proclaims:

In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus,

We have the victory.

In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus,

Demons will have to flee.

In the Name of Jesus, Jesus, we have the victory!

Psalm 34:7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 (NIV)

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:  "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

May you have victory in this life and know rescue from every kind of harm and evil by your Savior, Jesus Christ!