It is Finished

 This shows a progression of one  piece from the beginning to the end.


A question  often put to artists is , "How do you know when a painting is done?"  For me, I know it is finished when I am satisfied with it.  


When I got the idea to post several pictures of a cross in progress, I thought of the words Jesus spoke on the cross.  "It is finished."  and it hit me.  When Jesus spoke that it was like saying that God is satisfied with the work Jesus had done here on earth.  He had come to do what He was meant to do, and that was to overcome sin and death.  The sacrifice for our sins was complete and the work of redemption was done.     

It Is Finished
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage
4" x 3"

Upcoming Workshop

Mini Green on Orange
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage
4" x 5"

These are  mini size crosses I am experimenting with. This is a possible project for an art workshop I will be coordinating coming up in April.  These are small, just 4" x 5" but made with the same technique as last week's larger crosses and look really cute just tucked in on a book shelf. 


The workshop I am planning is part of the women's weekend coming up at CBC called "Spiritual Arts" CBC Girlfriends Getaway and it is scheduled for April 29th and 30th, 2011.  Registration info is on the Women's Ministry tab on the CBC website.  I hope to see some of you there.  

and Grace

So, continuing the Les Mis thoughts from yesterday...  Grace is a gift freely given and undeserved.  This is what the priest did for the convict in that moment when he stood accused, surrounded by the soldiers in the garden...Jean Val Jean was reminded that he was now a new man...and it changed him forever.  It's a beautiful story of Mercy and Grace.


Grace is like it, but more curved.  I liked the bright colors on the blue background.  

Ephesians 2:8-9 

⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  




    

Grace
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage
8 1/2 x 11"

Mercy

Les Miserables is one of my favorite stories.  I've read the book, seen the movie starring Liam Neeson and seen the broadway stage production.  The story unfolds the most amazing illustration between law and grace I have ever encountered.  My favorite moment  in the movie is at the very beginning when the priest extends mercy to the main character Jean Val Jean.  It changed him forever.  Grace undeserved and without measure.  I thought about mercy and grace when I did these next two crosses.

Mercy
by Cheryl Harris White
8 1/2 x 11"
Acrylic Collage

The Greatest of These is Love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:13
Why does it say in I Corinthians that the greatest of these is love? I'm not a theologian, but I think it is because People are so important to God, and love is something we can do right now among each other.  I also think this is the hardest one, of the three listed here, to do.  Faith and hope are wonderful, but if you really want to try something great, try loving someone else the same way God loves us.  That is quite a challenge.  

I've met a few "difficult to love" type people through the years.   Sometimes it feels like trying to hug a porcupine, just being around them.  One time I was around a prickly porcupine type of woman on a weekly basis.  Her words were like poison aimed with precision into the hearts of anyone around her.  I resigned myself to expect her to hurt my feelings in some way each week I saw her, and week after week she did not disappointed.  I was actually proud of myself each time an encounter with her was over and I had succeeded in never telling her off or putting her in her place.  I thought I was doing well to just not return her sarcastic comments.  I realized later, I didn't really accomplish anything great doing this though. This wasn't really loving her, it was just enduring her.   I had avoided conflict, kept the peace, maintained my own self control and learned a lot about resisting temptation and holding my tongue... but I never really LOVED her.  I don't know for sure, but this may be why LOVE is the greatest one on the list.  It's really difficult to do. 


And  just think... God extended this kind of difficult, unconditional love to us without measure.   It is us, humanity, who are the prickly ones.  It was painful for Christ to love us, but he did it anyway.  Amazing. I am in awe of this kind of love.  It is too GREAT to comprehend.

Love

by Cheryl  Harris White

Acrylic Collage on Canvas

81/2" x 11"

Hope

Hope
by Cheryl Harris White

Acrylic Collage

81/2" x 11"

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 

Faith

   

Have you ever really thought about faith? It's mind boggling.  What is it really?  Just believing? In something?  In what?  I hear the word used in conversations where it could be interchanged with the words "positive thinking"...like in the phrase "have faith" meaning "believe in yourself and you can do it."  I've seen it defined as believing that something is true without seeing it...that just sounds foolish really.  I've also heard it illustrated with a chair analogy...if you go up to a chair you have never sat in before, and just sit down without examining it first, that is supposed to illustrate that you have faith that the chair will hold you up.  I have a problem with this one, because unless your name is Goldilocks, you have probably had a pretty positive experience with sturdy well built chairs.  Also, the fall from the height of a chair to the ground is not that far.  I know, because I've done it before, and all that happened was a little soreness and embarrassment.  It was pretty funny actually, but that's another story.  


Faith is different.  I've never seen God in human form, lying in a manger.  Nor, an innocent man hang on a cross, raise from the dead and ascend to heaven...but I believe Jesus did those things.  I've never seen a transaction between God and Satan where Jesus' sacrifice paid off the debts I owed, but I know that happened as well.  I've never seen God crack the sky open and carry someone to heaven, but I am confident that will happen to me someday.  This is my faith.

While I'm at it, lets go one step further...If you were raised anything like me, having faith that God  is God, is a non-issue.  It is pretty easy for most of us to believe God is REAL.  I think what we all seem to struggle with from time to time, myself included, is believing that God is GOOD, when everything around us is going wrong.  That's the rub... where I really start having to exercise my "faith muscles" and have to pluck up the courage to ask the tough questions...This is where faith really gets hard and messy.  I thought about all these things while I painted this.

Faith
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage on Canvas
8 1/2" x 11"

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Joy

This one is called Joy and it is a little different than the kind I posted yesterday.  It was done with a palate knife and thick acrylic paint.  I spent a lot of time on the background for this one.  There are lots and lots of layers of paint which created a really interesting texture.  

I thought about the brokenness of the world we live in and was inspired by thinking about the tears of the suffering, when I did the background.  If you look carefully, you can see rivers in the blue paint.  Then I thought about God's never ending love and mercy, which is there waiting for us if we just open our eyes to see it and created a bright, joyful cross with curving arms actually trying to hug the earth.  It turned out rather well.  Tomorrow I have another collage cross to show you.  Until then, I wish you JOY!

Joy
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
8 1/2" x 11"

John 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Peace

I've been working on some crosses this week that I'll be posting for you all.  I spent my whole afternoon Sunday after getting home from church just painting.  I REALLY LOVE PAINTING ON SUNDAY!  It seems to just be a natural response for me after a worship service.   I love working with color and texture.  They were done with a combination of acrylic paint on canvas and collage done with dried acrylic paint.  The hardest part about doing these, was cleaning up the mess afterwards and how much time each one took...but I loved every minute of it. I called this first one Peace!  I like how the green background really contrasts so well with the bright colors in the cross. I'm working on more of these in different colors, and I'll probably post one a day this week.  Stay tuned!

Peace
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic Collage on Canvas
8 1/2" x 11"

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.

Shall We Dance?

These Poppies just look to me like they are dancing and it gives me joy just to look at them.

Psalm 30:11   You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Mountain Poppies
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
18" x 24"

Have a great weekend everyone! I'll be back with new paintings and thoughts to post on Monday.

Art for Art's Sake

I really love being around people who appreciate art and beauty.  There is something calm and knowing about them, as if they have found a secret others have not.  When they find out I paint, they say things like,"That is wonderful, beautiful...etc."  They are encouraging and seem to give me energy. They have connected somehow with what they see and it has made them feel something positive.  These are the kind of people I would want to spend an afternoon in an art museum with.  I believe God would be in this group as well.  I believe He cares about art and what we make through our creativity.  It matters to Him, because we matter to him and He made us and this beautiful world for us to live in.  We see His creative plan unfold in nature and read His beautiful sentiments in the poetry of the Bible. 

Poppy Study
by Cheryl Harris White
not available

'For behold, the winter is past,  

The rain is over and gone.  

 'The flowers have already appeared in the land;  

The time has arrived for pruning the vines,  

And the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land.  

 'The fig tree has ripened its figs,  

And the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance.  

Arise, my darling, my beautiful one,  

And come along!' " 

Song 2:11-13 (NASB)

These verses are just there for us to enjoy and they are beautiful.  I love that not every part of the Bible is a law or a deep theological concept.  Some of it is in there just because God wanted it in there.  How refreshing.  

I feel the same way about my art.  Some of the pictures I post will just be something I just thought would be fun to paint, not necessarily an illustration of some deep spiritual doctrine.  So, in light of that thought,  this is  a study of some poppies I've been working on... just to celebrate art for art's sake.  I just splashed this out in one day and this is really just a practice I did for the painting coming tomorrow.  Stay tuned! More to come.

Earth's crammed with heaven

A friend, Ginny Dyson reminded me of this one yesterday...

"Earth's crammed with heaven, 

And every common bush afire with God, 

But only he who sees takes off his shoes; 

The rest sit round and pick blackberries." 

— Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I think that is appropriate for these "fiery" poppies.  One time for a theater production of the Wizard of Oz, I painted an entire field of poppies that was about 8 ft tall by 18 ft.wide, but I never got a photo of it.  It was so much fun and I have loved painting poppies ever since. 

Fire Poppies
16" x 16"
Acrylic on canvas
by Cheryl Harris White

A Painting Lovely As A Tree

This is another example of dried paint on canvas.  I used cool colors for the trunk and warm for the branches and falling leaves.  I call it "Fire Tree".   I loved the result and I just love trees, don't you?  This painting reminds me of a poem I learned once by Joyce Kilmer.  

TREES

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day

And lifts her leafy arms to pray,

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair

Upon whose blossom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems were made by fools like me

But only God can make a tree.

by  Joyce Kilmer

Fire Tree
Acrylic Collage on Canvas
by Cheryl Harris White
16" x 16"

Old Paint, New Art

So far, I've shared artwork which had mostly been done between 2005 and 2010.  I've really enjoyed revisiting my older paintings and documenting what I was learning as I did them...but now that I am caught up, I am equally glad to be at a point where I am looking forward...which brings us to 2011!  The rest of Paint on My Walls, is going to be about the art I'm doing now instead of looking back at art I did in the past...  Look at it like this...Up to this point I showed you art in my "BC" (Blog Catch-up) time period... and from this point on, I'll be sharing my "AD" (After Depression ) artwork.

Three Trees At Night
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic collage on Canvas
9" x 12"

I'm definitely not a daily painter yet, so I won't be posting a new painting every day like I have in the past.  But, I will be painting.... and as each one gets done, or maybe as it is in process, I'll share it.  The journey continues.

This painting is a recent painting I just finished this week entitled Three Trees At Night.  It is an appropriate illustration of the trials I've gone through over the last three years.  The three trees are actually made of dried acrylic paint I found when I was cleaning up my studio. I chipped off layers of hardened paint off my easel.  It was difficult to pry up... but as it came off in thick pieces, I noted that the texture reminded me of tree trunks.  I almost threw it all in the trash, but decided to try making trees with it instead and this painting was the result.  I love it because it is an example of how something that would have normally been thrown away became a beautiful work of art.  That's how I feel about the depression I went through.  It was ugly and hard, but God, my master artist, has used it to create a beautiful part of who I am in Him.  I am His masterpiece.

And the WINNER is Christmas Painting #1

Beautiful Star
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 48"

This is my favorite and it was shown at the Local Artists Show at Premier Gallery and it won Best In Show! 


I call it Beautiful Star because it was inspired by the  music from the stage production Beautiful Star: An Appalachian Nativity.  If you ever have a chance to see that show at Christmas time GO!  My daughter was cast in the performance of this at Water Tower Theater that year and OH I LOVED the music!  I think I listened to the practice CD more than she did.  


I wanted the star to look amazing, like nothing those shepherds would have ever seen before.  I used a palate knife and very thick paint.

Christmas Painting #2

Oh Holy Night
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 48"

Oh Holy Night is my second favorite Christmas painting done that year.   This entire painting was done with layers of acrylic paint and a palate knife.  The star over the manger shining light on the birth of Jesus pierces the sky with bursts of color radiating outward.  And in the center,  even the hay  joins in the celebration, splashing outwards from the manger as if it could not contain the miracle of Christ's birth.


If you look close, I splattered bits of red paint on the manger and hay...I really just felt like doing that when I was painting it, but after I stepped back and looked, I liked it.  It made me think about Christ's sacrifice when he shed is blood to cover our sins.   

Christmas Painting # 3

The Local  artists show was before Christmas that year, so I also displayed 3 Christmas paintings.  These were also part of a Christmas exhibit at CBC.  This weekend I will post those 3 paintings and Sunday I'll show you the one that won an award.  This is my third favorite.  The angels are swirling up form Bethlehem announcing Christ's birth.  In the corner there are some shepherds witnessing the glorious display.  I called this painting, "Be Not Aftraid."  I have no idea what an angel really looks like, but every time a human meets one in the Bible, the first thing they always say is "be not afraid".  .  .  so they must be awesome creatures to behold. 

Be Not Afraid
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on canvas
24" x 48"

Local Artists Show 2008

I was invited to participate in this Art show at Premier Gallery.  This was a fun event, but getting ready for it was quite a challenge.  Each artist had room for about 5 or more paintings to for display and the pressure of getting ready was  a lot for me after just one year before having a serious bout with depression.

I remember the support I had received from so many of my friends. When I shared with them the pressure I was under and was honest with them about my  fears and insecurities about being in this show, they prayed for me, encouraged me and sent me some of the most wonderful emails.I  was so encouraged by my friends who not only prayed for me but also came.  I especially enjoyed one of my room mates from college, Donna who came with her family.

The painting yesterday, and this one I just found today were in the show. . . and coming up, I'll post a few more paintings that were there as well, one of which won a special award! This one below, didn't win an award, but is a pretty red tree.   I painted this at VAL right after I was coming out of my depression Pit mentioned earlier.... It was kind of like therapy to just hit the canvas with a brush full of red paint  I said before how much I LOVE  red.  It is kind of a modern picture,  not what I usually paint,  but it was fun to do and such a cheerful bright spot in the display.  This painting was also a part of the Pride and Prejudice display at Greater Lewisville Community Theater.

Red Tree
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 24"

Going, Going...Gone

I found this last painting when I  re organized my art studio. Trying to clean up a bit.  I found another pretty one, I'll show tomorrow as well.   This is another  tall water to wine piece I had done several years ago.  It isn't hanging in the guest bathroom, but I do have it very close to my easel and it's fate is very uncertain.  I thought it at least deserved to be seen before I paint over it.

Cana Bride And Groom
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x48"

Offering

I love the story of the poor widow in 

Luke 20:45-21:4

[45] While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, [46] "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. [47] They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

[21:1] As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. [2] He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. [3] "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. [4] All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

The monetary value of her offering was less than two cents, but in God's economy it was worth more because of her heart  behind the giving.  Our heart matters to God.  This is so encouraging to me and that is what I thought about while I was painting this.

Offering
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 46"
$400.00

Prodigal Son Series

I love the story of the prodigal son and I've painted it many times.  These are 3 very different prodigal son paintings I did.  The largest one, I just completed today.  When I painted this, I thought about how good it would have felt to be the forgiving father and how humbling to be the forgiven son.  I've played both roles in my journey here on earth and I've also spent periods of time living life with out the ability to extend and receive forgiveness.  Those times were some of the darkest, most painful periods in my life.  I contrasted that feeling in this painting.  Light and color are exploding from the father son embrace, mingled with grateful tears like fireworks of joy!

Prodigal II
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 48"
by Cheryl Harris White
2011

Original Prodigal
Acrylic On Canvas
24" x 36"
by Cheryl Harris White
2006

             

Prodigal Banner
for CBC Parable Paint
by Cheryl Harris White
2008

Prodigal II
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 48"
by Cheryl Harris White
2011

Mary Did You Know III

2006
Mary Did You Know
by Cheryl Harris White
Posted Feb. 11, 2011

To the left, I posted some of the older paintings I did with this theme in progression from the oldest on the left and newest on the right ending with today's post, Mary Did You Know III.  By looking at these paintings side by side, I can see a progression in style and it really encourages me.  Growth and change is a process and it happens gradually.  It is illustrated here with my art, but also true about us spiritually, physically or in anything really.  The last one (below) is similar to yesterday's post  but taller.  It's my most recent and my favorite so far, but you never know, I may do another

2008
Two Sisters
by Cheryl Harris White
Posted March 2, 20

2009
Mary Did You Know II
by Cheryl Harris White
Posted March 5, 2011

Mary Did You Know III
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas
24" x 48"

Mary Did You Know II

This is another version of the Mary and Jesus theme I revisited next.  About this time in my painting, I had transitioned from the stained glass look with dark lines and start trying more with this type of style.  This new method felt much more free and fluid, but still looks like light is coming through a window.  I liked the result and tried some more like this.  I spread the paint on layers at a time with palate knives.  It takes a long time, because the bottom layers need to be dry before each layer goes on top.    This is called Mary did you know II.  I kept working at this theme and have another one that is very similar to post soon.  Maybe tomorrow.

Mary Did You Know II
by Cheryl Harris White
Acrylic on Canvas 24" x 36"
$300.00

In Remembrance of ME

In Remembrance of ME
by Cheryl White
Acrylic on Canvas 24 " x 36 "
$300.00

This painting was done for one of the Christmas exhibits I did at Trietsch UMC .  I love working with red paint for some reason, so this was particularly fun for me.  When ever I have the opportunity to participate in communion, I focus on the blood of Christ washing me clean.  That's what I thought about while doing this painting...That and these verses... 


1 Corinthians 11:24-25 

²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said,“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”


This one is hanging in MY bathroom because I'm not quite sure if I'm done with it, but I do like looking at it every day.

Vinyard Workers

Vinyard Workers Banner
Acrylic on Canvas Banner
4 ft x 12 ft

My favorite painting of all time is.... A Sunday on La Grande Jatte -- 1884, 1884-86 by Georges Seurat   I love the curved lines, the dresses the umbrellas even the sails of the boats are curved.  I like how when I look at it, I hear silence and feel peace…even though it is a picture of what must have been a very noisy environment.  It makes me feel like I have the power to make time stand still. 

 

A Study for Parable Paint 
Vinyard Workers
by Cheryl White
Acrylic on Canvas 24" x 48"

I was inspired by the shape of the women's dresses in that  painting when working on the vinyard workers for the parable paint banner series.  I wanted the workers to be tall and thin at different heights representing a bar graph....This was to symbolize their attempts to keep track and measure the wages they each earned during the day.  I also wanted each figure to be made of one unbroken line.  The practice painting is to the left.  The actual banner is to the  right. 


There were 11 banners in this series, but this is my favorite.  I did one a week to illustrate a sermon series for our pastor one summer.  Each Sunday he taught about a different parable and I had a banner hanging up that went with it.   More info about the other banners and the project I did is on my parable paint page.  Below is a picture of how all the banners fit together to make one big picture.