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To touch hearts with colorful paintings~~~ What image does one use to describe and respond to God's love -- to say that God is love, to touch hearts with that love? Are not there lots of ways of doing this... music, poetry, drama, art...? For me, pictures are worth a thousand words. One picture can communicate what would be difficult to put in one or maybe even a thousand words. My fascination with this fact initially came from my love of the poetry and symbolism of the psalms, the colorful word descriptions of emotions and hopes based on God's promises. Corita Kent's beautiful art and abstract illustrations of the psalms wonderfully touched my heart years ago.
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Custom Painting, 22 x 15",
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In studying art history and psychology, I realized that paintings express what is in the heart of an artist. Visual artists express themselves and who they are in art just as musicians, poets, authors do. What they express has an affect on us. Henry Ward Beecher said, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." Likewise, "To love a painting is to feel that its presence is not an object but a voice." (French Minister of Culture Andre Malraux) Thus, art profoundly affects our home and office environments. My approach to interior design centers on making those places supportive to who we are and choose to be as persons.
My personal challenge is to accept and walk daily in God's unconditional love for me in order to have something to share with others. It is not in my own strength of education, skill, and experience that I am able to paint images that touch peoples' hearts. It is impossible for anyone to contrive that. That means that I need prayer, reflection, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that my process of painting is fun, even worshipful, and doesn't become shallow and mechanical. I strive to be genuine and transparent, to be who I am with simplicity and integrity. That's why I attempt to share with you this artist's statement of philosophy, or better yet, of heart.
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The response of collectors has repeatedly been, "There's something about your paintings that is so powerful." They often can't put into words what they mean. Others who know the scriptures behind the paintings tell me how they are reminded and encouraged just seeing the painting over and over in their home or office. My deepest desire is for people to experience God's love for them individually. "What image shall we use to describe it (the kingdom of God)?" Mark 4:30-32. If my paintings convey only a small portion of what it means to know in one's heart that God loves each of us personally and that we are safe in trusting him with all aspects of our lives, then the work and expense involved in making and presenting this art is well worth it. If you, too, want to enjoy this unconditional, everlasting love of God, ask Jesus Christ to make himself real to you so that you can know him for who he truly is, our way to God who is Light, Life, and Love . "I (Jesus speaking) came so that you may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10. That is what I pray for those who collect my art. God bless you! Questions and comments gladly received through e-mail. Have you read Joann's blog recently? Tweet her @KJoannRussell. Become a fan on her Facebook fan page "Sunflower Studio Art". BACK to "About Joann" page.
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