The power of Visual art

Well, there’s the big thought that beauty is goodness and reflects the good and kind heart of God ... so just adding beauty to any place is a way of pushing back the darkness. (Revolution maybe;)

My life has certainly been saved and heart bouyed by way of grace through song, story, and all kinds of Art....

One of my dearest friends always reminds me beauty softens us toward God and toward each other.

In a hard world where there is much pain and loss which would often turn our hearts toward cynicism and despair -

beauty stirs our longings.

Often I see the work I do as something that comes alongside the groanings inside others (mostly women) to agree with mysteries and the hope of heaven which words can not touch...

To bring original art into a space - particularly for a woman- is in my mind a step of bold faith. A small act that knits hearts to a deeper story.

I see the artwork I create as helping stir hope and reorienting our gaze to the end of the story.

We all need a vision beyond what we can “see” with our eyes and senses... (where faith makes real to the senses what has not yet been experienced- I believe art helps us hold on through out imaginations).

Obviously there is value in beautiful hues and colors... the simplicity of just adding color is powerful.

Most of the work I do with clients is helping them name their longings and imagine how we can capture / image that for their hearts on canvas.

For many women I think it’s important to visually “name” places of loss, grief, desire, or help them see things they can’t see for themselves.

Maybe sinking into a piece of “art” is helping them name and step into what is really true for them... when truth is hard to see or believe for themselves.

It feels like symbolism can strengthen hearts of women who need a visual reminder of something true especially when their reality (or the message of the world) is telling them something else.

Bringing a work of art into a space also ushers in the healing quality of beauty- providing nourishment, opportunity for reflection and engagement.

Art sits quietly, patiently, gently waiting and wooing... whispering life.

Ultimately, I’d also say I believe dignity is a part of this equation. Bringing something extravagant and beautiful (birthed by way of sacrifice and struggle and imagination) and into a woman’s space/home speaks to her value and how the Lord lavishes her with his love song over her life...

Singing of redemption, future shalom, and the beautiful of the process of becoming