The Woman At The Well

The Woman At The Well

Oil with Palate Knife on Canvas
24" x 36 "
by Cheryl Harris White

John 4:4-30

I just completed a study on Joy at Denton Bible Church.  One of the lessons I was most impacted by was the encounter of Jesus with the Woman at The Well.  I was so inspired by the tenderness and compassion shown by Jesus to this woman who came alone in the heat of the day to avoid the scorn and gossip of others.   Her life was a mess, and like all of us, she tried to hide it... but He knew her story before she even told it.  Not only did he know her past, He forgave her.  Not only did He forgive her, He gave her truth and life everlasting.  In the midst of her shame,  Jesus, the tallest red figure in the center of the painting,  is the lifter of her head.   Can you see His blood shed to cleanse our sin,  flowing through the arms of living water swirling through the painting?  And the woman bent over by the well, finally free... she drops her water pot and runs to tell everyone in the town. Through her testimony, an entire village met the Lord Jesus that day. 

We Are God's Artists

It saddens me a bit when I see Christians push art out the door of our churches like it is bad tattoo or offensive T-Shirt logo.  I don't know why some humans are more creative than others.  What makes a person an artist, really?  I'm not sure, but I do believe that our creativity comes from God.   He is the Creator of all life and the entire universe after all.  And in Genesis chapter 1, we read that WE are created in God's image.  All of us.  It's what separates us from all the rest of creation. The birds, the animals and the plants were created and then they were called good.  Then man... created in the image of God and called Very Good.  We humans, the image bearers, the creative ones.  We are God's artists. 

I have recently found yet another outlet for my creativity; Bible Journaling.  I love to write when I learn new things,  so I have always been one of those people with highlighter and notes all over my Bible, but this takes it to a whole new level.  I began by using supplies I already had used in art journaling; colored pencils, Water proof calligraphy pens, India ink, stamps, markers and stickers... and my Bible.  I found some great ideas from other Bible Journal posters online and got started.  

Some people may find it shocking to draw and paint in a Bible.  If you don't like it, I promise, I won't write and paint in yours... but I will definitely keep doing it in mine.  For one, I have enjoyed reading my Bible more since I started doing this, and I remember what a read much better.  Second,  whether painting on a stage or a canvas or in my Bible,  I  keep doing it,  because when I CREATE ART, I feel God's pleasure.

Oil on Canvas and A Heart That is Full

Birch Glade
Oil on Canvas
18" x 24"

Hello Blog,  I've missed you.  Thank you to all my friends who always ask me when they see me... Are you still painting?   I finally can give you YES for an answer.   Done with oil and palate knife, completing this happy painting gave me so much joy.  I love this sunny glade kissed with yellow light and protected by the silent birch trees surrounding it.  This place feels peaceful and  safe and when I gaze upon it my heart is full.  Enjoy!

Barn For My Dad

Last summer, while visiting my Dad in Minnesota,  we drove around back country roads looking for barns to photograph.  We got list a few times and found ourselves at this goat farm.  The owners gave us permission to walk around and take our photos.  Dad chatted with the family while I snapped away.  The barns were huge and old and beautiful.  It was like traveling back in time.  In the quiet, I stood to gaze at them in wonder.  How many generations of people lived,and worked here? The barn knew and kept it's secret.

Red Forest with India Ink

Red Forest
India Ink on Mixed Media Paper
7" x 7"
by Cheryl Harris White

I really loved allowing gravity to actually do the painting of these trees.  They look so firmly planted to the ground as if they actually fell from the sky into their spots instead of sprouting from the ground.  

Love, Joy, Live, Laugh, Hope, Wish

Six more hymnal mixed media art pieces, each one is 8" x 10".

These happy reminders brightened my day and serve as reminders of to be truly thankful for each and every moment.  These are the things in life that really matter.  

Heralds of Spring

  Torn pages from an old damaged hymnal and paper scraps are worked into these small 5"x5" whimsical mixed media pieces.  A happy color palate of pinks and purples heralds the arrival of spring.  

Singing Tree - Living Fully Engaged One Moment At A Time

As a kid, I spent many summers at Camp Rocky Point on Lake Texoma.  One of my favorite activities was after lunch each day, when we went to "Singing Tree."  There were benches to sit on like aisles in a church, and trees all around us and above us. The branches were so thick, it was like a "living" room  of leaves forming shimmering green  walls and a ceiling.   As we sang,  I thought about the beautiful nature around me and felt God there in our presence.  I was not home sick, felt no worry and no anxiety...just peace and joy.  The beauty around me just soaked into my soul and I was living in the moment.

As and adult, living in the moment becomes more of a challenge.  I must choose daily to NOT live in the past;  to NOT live in the future; but to live fully engaged in the here and now. Some of us lean naturally toward living in the past.  Having left our hearts behind somewhere between memories and losses, we can easily become blind to the missed opportunities for connection with the living hearts close by right now, in the present.  Others of us tend to skip ahead to the future; planning for it goes too far, to the point that we fall into habits of manipulation and control, trampling over the present on the path to what will be. 

This recently completed piece is called "Singing Tree"  and it inspires me to be different.  It helps me to remember that I am made to sing, to create art, to appreciate nature, to consider God and invest into His most beautiful creation, people.  I can still sing a song,  by simply listening to the music in the hearts of others.  I can paint a work of art, by engaging deeply with people one true moment at a time.  I can see God, by carving out time to appreciate His creation and it's beauty.  When I look at this tree, it compels me to stop crying, stop talking, stop worrying, stop managing, but to just be quiet and to give others the freedom to be with me in the moment.  This piece inspires me to rest, to listen, to accept, to trust and to live, completely engaged in the here and now moments of life.  Join me.

Singing Tree
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage on Canvas
24" x 36"
$300.00

FOODIE Opening show

Tonight was a great opening for the Foodie show at the MCL GRAND in Lewisville.  Art was created for the Visual Art League calendar, each month highlighting an area restaurant. Sponsors of the opening reception included Bisteca, Good Times Cajon Cuisine & Square One Cafe.  The show is still up through January 17th. My hamburger painting was selected for July in the calendar and they are sold out!