Mark's Painting

It's a picture of affordable modern housing in the city, and he'll use his income and influence from his financial planning firm to develop it.

Todd's Painting

Angelina's Painting

My painting represents the Kingdom of God and His will. I believe that God's will is found in His name, YHWY: Shamma, Nissi, Maccaddeshcem, Rapha, Jireh, Makkah, Tsidkenu, Shalom, Sabbaoth, Raah, Pater, El Shaddai, El Roi, Elohim...Zech 10:3, Ez 22:27, Hos 14:3,8, Ez. 34:11, Is. 42:3... too many to list! The painting is about influencing the world in order to establish His kindgom on earth which is represented by the white boarder; with Him ever present (represented by the throne-like white space at the top). The figures are people of every nationality, social, religious and economic background. Each one has coins (talents and gifts) in his/her hand, given by God. The plant and roots represent when talents are used properly, we see physical redemption of the planet; the earth is blessed, deserts bloom, and dry places no longer barren. Also, dry places being nations that do not know Him or have turned from Him (or His principles). Again, redemption Ez. 18:23, 33:11, 18:32, Is. 41:17-20. The water represents redemption of the land and waters. Dt. 32:43, 29:19, 11:12 Jer. 2:7-11, Chron. 7:14, II Sam. 21:14, Num 35:33, Gen 1:24, 1:28, 9:1, Ps. 104:24. The planet was given an energy that we are to harness and protect; it reverberates the praise of His glory: Gen 14:19 &22, Ps 148:13. Land and water are obedient to our words Ps. 49:13, Ps. 96:11. The land is sumissive to God and to man Gen 2:6. The promise of Gen. 3:15 restores God to man and man to ground! For me this represents physical healing because the earth is the Lord's "and God said it was good". Man was created out of good soil (adamah), created in His image; void of illness. I was a spirit who borrowed dirt, His dirt; originally perfect in His design, cursed by man, but now redeemed by the blood of Jesus back to His original design... good clean dirt ;-) We have been given power and authority to influence the world, by word and deed everyday. My vision is to use every talent I have to influence talents of others (whether it be ability, finances, skills) to see His kingdom; His good will, established on earth.

My sketch.

My sketch of my camera is really about what I love to do. I love to take pictures, capture special moments and create memories for people, especially those I love and care for. I want to use my camera to bless people. I love to look through the lense and capture what I see. And when I do it, I want to do it well. I would say my camera is an extension of my arm, but in this season, that isn't always true because I have two little ones who are. And I savor these moments with them. Here is a quote that sums it up well: The camera is a simple apparatus, even the most inept person can use it; the challenge lies in creating with it that combination of truth and beauty called art. -Isabel Allende

Where does my vision go from here...

I’m on the edge of a precipice. Not afraid to jump off,
not afraid to fall over.
Looking for a bridge or a ladder. What is beyond? What’s down there?
What’s at the bottom? I want to know before I make the leap.
Know it’s right though I don’t know it all.
Should I turn back,
walk away?
Should I close my eyes and just keep moving?
I need a breeze, a wind, something to thrust me.
Create me a wall, give me a push, send me over,
show me a bridge!
Toss me a rock, throw me a rope, grant me a path!
I am on the edge. Push me over
or send me back.

But there was no wind.
There was no rope,
no stone, no bridge, no wall.
There in the silence was a voice.
Small but strong.
“Did I not bring you to this edge?
Have I not kept you from jumping over or falling down?
From walking off or turning back?
I have brought you here. I have created your path.
You did not come here on your own.
Wait.
Just be.
I Am.”

Opening my eyes to His vision

The Lord just recently began to give me vision for my life. I hope that doesn't freak anybody out, i'm coming up on 2 years of walking with the Lord:-) He began to show me that all the life experiences i had gone through the first 30 years of my life, even though alot of them painful, would be turned around for good! David says in Psalms 90:15, "Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good." (NLT) I see this as a basis for ministry in the future. The lost need
christians that first, love them unconditionally and second, are relateable and real. That's where i feel God is going to; and already has, used me. I've also been shown that God wants to stir up the gift of creativity within his children. Having interests in many artistic areas and being an artist myself, i see much more creativity that can be used to impact people's lives in a godly way! God's creativity gets people's attention (saved or unsaved), and He's just waiting to share that with those who truly seek His face! It's impossible to describe all that's stirring inside of me! I see God's creativity flowing through, and spilling out of me like bleeding colors not only here but all over the world! What about music, film, architecture, photography, paintings, sculptures, dance, fashion, etc., that draws the darkest, depressed, bitter, hurting people in this world and reveals Jesus and His love to them!? God is not boring, and his ideas are cutting edge-defying the very logic of the most critical critic! My eyes have been opened to the people God has strategically placed in my life, and the directions He wants me to go carrying forth His vision for my life. I'm currently involved with a collective art group, having one of my paintings displayed in a show back in January. I had the privilege of doing a mural in a kids room at my old church in my home town. I was able to paint some tiles for people for the Rose Hill Cottages. As far as ministry opportunities have been presenting themselves. I, just like everyone else, have to overcome fears and keep my eyes on Jesus. That is where i feel secure in art, ministry, and life:-) So many verses speak to me daily, but a few that speaks of this vision is Exodus 35:10,21,29-35, "Come, all you who are gifted craftsmen. Construct everything that the Lord has commanded… All whose hearts were stared and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord…So the people of Israel-every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the Lord had given them through Moses-brought their gifts and have them freely to the Lord. Then Moses told the people of Israel, 'The Lord has specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsmen, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft. And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. THEY EXCEL AS CRAFTSMEN AND AS DESIGNERS." (NLT)

Jesus Healing

I am working on a series of 18 black and white paintings right now that will illustrate all of Jesus' healings in the Bible. I have never painted in black and white, and I have never really painted people, but I am praying for grace and creative ideas! I have three completed and I am working on two others now, but I have a lot to do! I am hoping to be more inspired and disciplined to finish all of them by the end of this summer!

This is part of a bigger dream to use my talents to help bring people to Christ and to multiply what God has given me. I want to plant a church like the City Church one day as well, becasue everyone needs an awesome church like that! I want God to use my talents, but most importantly, I want to do what God is calling me to do, which will require more boldness and passion for people, especially the lost. I will also need more courage to overcome fear when speaking in front of groups and just be myself and trust in who God made me to be. I am also working on not caring about other people think about me, my personality, gifts or talents (whether good or bad), but only what God thinks. I want to be led by God and not other people's expectations! I am excited to see these things happen as well as everyone else's dreams too!