ART FROM HIS HEART

Yours Forever!

2012-01-21T20:36:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

You lead us beside quiet waters. You restore our souls.
Psalm 23:2-3

Whenever You call my name, Lord, my heart leaps at the sound of Your voice. I'm eager to follow Your lead now that I no longer want to go my own way.

As You lead me beside still waters, You quiet my anxious thoughts. You satisfy my hunger and quench my thirst from Your storehouse of endless delights. Your arms pick me up when I'm wounded. Your shoulders carry me when I've lost my way.

But what changed my heart from the inside out was the day I accepted Your grace. When You rescued my soul from certain death, You captured my heart with Your love!

(One of my favorite watercolors that my grandmother painted years ago of sheep grazing amongst purple heather on the Yorkshire moors. It came back to life with the aid of my digital camera, and a little help from Microsoft Office Picture Manager to brighten the faded areas).

Winter Wonderland

2011-11-29T11:54:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

I would much rather look at snow scenes from the comfort of a warm house or a warm car than from actually being out in the snow and feeling the cold. I remember when I painted this watercolor years ago I could see the snow on the distant mountains, but I didn't have to crunch through it to get to my car. But that is soon going to change.

I just came home from spending a wonderful Christmas with my family in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. There the winters are cold and snow isn't just reserved for the mountains. So next winter I will have to get use to leaving the comfort of my warm home and crunching through snow to warm up my cold car.

This will be a big adjustment. It's been 37 years since I left the cold winters of Ohio and moved to California, and even more since I left Michigan and England. But the four seasons will be a welcome change even though I don't relish the cold winters...

I will enjoy watching new plants push their way through melting snow as they offer their natural beauty to Springtime. The less humid summers with two-digit temperatures is another reason to make this move. The vibrant fall colors won't just be in the mountains, but along the streets, and hopefully in my own back yard.

By the time winter comes around again I hope I will be ready to embrace the snow that makes winter in Coeur d'Alene such a wonderland!

Down By the Old Mill Stream

2011-11-29T01:24:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

When I painted this watercolor of an old mill scene many years ago it was to try and capture the mood of this beautiful rural setting. I didn't want to forget the charm and quaintness of the way things use to be. It reminded me of idyllic times in the past when life seemed to be more carefree and less complicated.

And a part of me wants to return there often. I want to breathe deeply of the fresh air that I feel on my face. I want to sit under the old oak tree with a good book, and listen to the old mill stream lap at my feet. Seems there was no need to hurry back then. Time stood still forever.

Our memories of yesterday down by the old mill stream seem to rejuvenate our spirits. We recapture our forgotten youth as we watch the mill wheel slowly turn and remember our first kiss. We know it was summertime back then because the leaves on the oak tree were in full bloom... and we were in love.

But now the leaves have fallen. The oak tree is bare and winter is here. We preferred the summer. But the seasons change. And with each new season comes new memories. The old memories will always be there as a foundation upon which to build the new.

But we cannot live our lives in the past. We must live in the present. Although once we were in love and forever young, now love has come to maturity. It has more meaning in our lives than a fleeting kiss down by the old mill stream To love others is a choice.

We have grown wiser and stronger like that old oak tree. Our ability to love others has grown deeper as we choose to love them more for their sake and less for our own.

We will weather the storms of life far better if we choose to live each moment in the present. I know that we all take trips back to the old mill stream. But when we do, tomorrows dreams remain waiting to be experienced... And we can only experience them as we are present in our lives. Living in the past we can never hope to fulfill the destiny God has for us now.

So let's take the best from all our yesterdays and bring them into the present. For it is in the present that God chooses to dwell in us and we choose to live in the Spirit. It is in the present that we experience His joy...not back at the old mill streams of our lives. No matter how beautiful and peaceful we remember those mill streams to be, they are nothing compared to the joy that comes with living in His presence now.

Ordinary Pleasures

2011-11-28T23:51:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

A Rich Heritage

2011-11-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland


"Westcot", my great grandfather's sister's house in Devon, England, painted by my grandmother in 1928!

This is one of grandmother's water color paintings that she painted in 1928, and that I had tucked away in a manilla folder for safe-keeping. I was delighted when I recently discovered it, because forgotten memories and lost dreams can now be restored with the aide of a digital camera! A little help from Microsoft Office Picture Manager... and the painting came back to life.

And with it came a flood of fond childhood memories... the good times spent at my grandparent's home in Hertforshire, England. In fact this painting resembles their house and English garden.

My grandmother planted and took care of the flowers, and my grandfather raised the vegetables and fruit. Geraniums were grandma's favorite flower to grow, even though as a child I couldn't understand why because they never smelled pretty. And my grandpa's vegetable garden and apple orchard were his pride and joy and the envy of anyone who saw it.

Practically everything we ate we grew. And whenever we needed something from the store my grandmother would put it on the shopping list, and grandfather would pick it up on his Friday shopping trip. He could have ridden the bus to the shops downtown, but he always preferred to walk the three miles. Sometimes the return trip home would take him a little longer than usual, and I would hear my grandmother mumbling under her breath as she looked at the clock: "You should ride the bus home George... and not be so stubborn!"

But he never did. He took his time walking the three miles home because he preferred to stop along the way and admire people's gardens, and perhaps chat with a stranger or two. People would recognize him when they saw him walking with his cane and shopping bag, and he would tip his hat. He was in no hurry. He had time to smell the flowers...

I enjoyed smelling flowers, too. As a child I liked picking raspberries and strawberries in the early morning while the dew was still clinging to the fresh fruit. Digging up new potatoes with grandpa and counting how many peas were inside each pod was always fun.

Most people wouldn't eat raw rhubarb or sour gooseberries before breakfast, but I did. Never mind that later I sometimes got an awful stomachache... Grandma's Andrews Liver Salts (antacid) always worked... and I loved the fizzy feeling in my mouth!

So many more outdoor memories I have, but I have wonderful indoor memories as well. My grandmother loved to paint, and I was eager to learn. She gave me my first art lesson in mixing watercolors when I was seven, and I found out the hard way that it wasn't as easy as it looked. I discovered quite quickly that "mud" was an easy color to make!

But it was exciting to see how the colors would change when they were mixed together. I immediately wanted to make beautiful pictures like she did, but my grandmother was wise. She gently told me that it would take time, and that I must be patient, and that I must keep practicing.

But it wasn't just art that she taught me... It was sewing and knitting and crocheting and making doll houses out of large cardboard boxes with real glass for windows, and matchbox furniture.

She taught me how to play the piano and the auto harp. And on special occasions she would put my hair up in rag curls at night so that I would have beautiful ringlets the next day. The list went on and on...

There was never a dull moment at grandma's house, because she always had time to listen to my childish dreams. Sometimes she'd even let me eat a cookie or candy between meals... a treat that was never allowed at home.

Christmastime was the best time of all because I loved the way Grandma's house smelled. It wasn't just the Christmas tree, the holly berries, or the gingerbread men...but all the wonderful smells that brought back the good memories of the closeness we felt and the love that we shared whenever we were together.

So if you're a grandma or grandpa reading this post right now, grasp every opportunity you can to spend quality and fun time with your grandchildren. Their little minds are so open and receptive to learning new things. So find out what they like to do and what makes them happy...

Then share with them age appropriate things that you liked to do when you were a child, and see what their response is. More than likely they will be excited to use their minds and hands to create something from their hearts as you sit by and gently guide them. You'll know that you're a success when you see the pure joy on their faces!

As I look back on my childhood memories...the ones that made the greatest impression on my young mind were the many times grandma and I spent time doing things together. I learned many life-changing lessons from her loving spirit and patient example.

My grandmother's actions made me feel like she had taken me into her heart. That's why I never got tired of the burnt toast and scrambled eggs and cheese she fixed for breakfast every morning because they were prepared with love... and I knew it.

What a rich heritage I've been given. It wasn't material things that were important to my grandparent's, but loving relationships. How blessed I am to have experienced this at a young age, and now recognized as an adult.

My rich heritage has not been in houses or lands or the tangible "things" of this life, but in the intangible things of the heart. I've inherited a gentle spirit and a compassionate heart, and a great desire to help others learn how to protect their important heart-to-heart relationships, too.

Broken for Blessing!

2011-11-26T02:38:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"And I will give them one heart [a new heart] and I will put a new spirit within them; and I will take the stony [unnaturally hardened] heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh [sensitive and responsive to the touch of their God]." Ezekiel 11:19 (Amplified Bible)

I can't take the credit for this wonderful pencil drawing of an English fishing village scene, but I wish I could. All I did was add a little color to it.

Actually my father, Jeff Brown, drew it back in 1997 when he began drawing for the first time. He was 80 at the time, and now he's 94! He's not been drawing lately, but he's still going strong! Yeah dad!

As I looked at this drawing that my father so beautifully did, I asked the Holy Spirit to show me what He wanted me to see in this picturesque English fishing village with the cobblestone street. Immediately I knew that He wanted me to share with you how the walls of my heart became hardened like stone because of unforgiveness. My heart was like the stone buildings and cobblestone street in this picture.

As a child my body would have appeared to be physically present with my family, but so often my heart was removed from their presence. Over the years a kind of deadening numbness set in, because I had unknowingly closed the door of my heart to my family in order to protect it from further pain.

But God didn't design my heart or your heart to function this way. Just as our physical hearts need an inflow as well as an outflow of lifeblood in both directions or we will die, so our spiritual hearts need to both receive of His love, and let it flow out of us to others, or we will die!

"Love one another as I have loved you" then becomes a life-giving command of Jesus to us as we realize that God created us to be receivers as well as givers of His love and grace! It's how He made us. But we can't give of His love and grace to others if we haven't first received His love and grace for ourselves.

As I was pondering these thoughts the Lord reminded me of an experience I had back in 1997 a couple of months after my father drew this picture...

I was returning home from a church one Sunday evening when I decided to stop by the local El Pollo Loco restaurant and get a spicy black bean burrito. Back in 1997 this restaurant closed earlier on Sundays, but I didn't realize that when I walked up to the "closed" door to get a burrito.

After I entered the restaurant I noticed that there was no sign of food anywhere, and the waitresses had their backs to me as they busily cleaned up the kitchen. Suddenly one of them became aware of my presence and jumped as she turned around.

“How did you get in here?” she asked abruptly.

“I just walked through the door.” I responded calmly, surprised by such a question.

“You couldn’t have! I locked that door forty-five minutes ago!"

Having said that, she went out the back door of the restaurant and came around to check the front door. Sure enough it was locked tight. The manager had to let her in. As they walked by me they had this incredulous look of awe mixed with confusion on their faces.

“You must have some kind of supernatural powers!” they both exclaimed.

“No! I’m a Christian and I serve a supernatural God!” I responded.

Right at that moment, I sensed God's Spirit nudging me to give the young lady who had locked that door... a word from Him.

“God is going to open locked doors in your life. He’s heard the cry of your heart and He wants you to know how much He loves you!”

She was speechless... She awkwardly thanked me and then went about her business of helping clean up the restaurant, while another waitress insisted on fixing me a burrito, and then I left.

As I walked out the previously locked door, I noticed that it was “power locked.” There was no way I could have walked through that door “unaided.” I looked around to see if there were any little rocks that could have somehow prevented it from fully closing. There were none.

Immediately I sensed the presence of the Spirit as He began to speak to my heart and tell me that He was going to open locked doors in my life. Tears filled my eyes and I began to weep as I experienced the tender love in the Father’s heart for me.

But little did I realize at the time that unforgiveness was going to be one of those locked doors that He would supernaturally open. As the blazing light from the Cross pierced my stony heart, the walls began to come down, and the cobblestones were broken apart...

I had been broken for blessing. I had been freed to forgive so that I could become a blessing to others. If you haven't already been broken by His love and grace, will you let God's Spirit begin to bring down the stony walls within your heart now?

He wants to break you for blessing, too. He wants you to receive of His love and grace, and then let it flow out of your new heart to others.

Erasing Dark Shadows

2011-11-25T01:57:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:21-23

This watercolor painting that I painted of a Michigan sunset is a reminder of how I struggled to keep smiling as I faced being confined to a TB hospital for two months back in August of 1967. It actually amazes me now that I had the determination to paint such bright colors when I was feeling anything but cheerful.

As I look at the jagged edges of the dark shadows on the mountains I remember how they seemed to parallel my gloomy thoughts and unspoken fears back then. Now the lines seem too harsh, but back then they clearly reflected the stark reality of daily life.

Although some patients told me that they had been in this hospital forever, I was not going to be one of them. Others had died in there, but I would live to tell about it.

So in order to try and bring some kind of semblance of balance to the dark shadows of my doubts and fears, I decided to paint the most warm and cheerful fall leaves I could imagine in the foreground of my painting. Perhaps it would help to dispel my angst with hope. So each time I would have those dreadful thoughts of being confined to this hospital for eons, I would add a few more orange and yellow leaves to the trees in the foreground.

As you can see from the density of those orange and yellow leaves, I struggled a bit with anxiety. But gradually the focus of my thoughts shifted away from myself and my own fears to the needs of the people around me.

I began to wake up each morning with a renewed sense of purpose. I would make the best of my two month "vacation" because now I had a mission. I would paint my heart out, and do whatever it took to help erase the dark shadows from other patient's hearts. Instead of spreading around more gloom, I would bring them hope and cheer. And with God's help I think I did.

My Place of Sanctuary

2011-11-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

This cozy little cabin tucked away somewhere in the Swiss Alps, surrounded by lush evergreens and alpine flowers, overlooking a crystal blue lake with a backdrop of distant snow-covered mountains was my safe haven... an idyllic place of tranquility that I could escape to whenever I needed to get away from the turmoil of life.

I liked the idea of placing the mountains in the distance when I drew this remote scene many years ago because I hated the cold. My memories of trudging through deep snow drifts on my way to and from school during bitterly cold English winters had left an indelible impression of dread on me. Snow looked pretty enough in pictures, but in reality if you weren't wearing warm enough clothing when you got caught in a blizzard, your feet and hands would be bone-chilling numb by the time you got home from school.

Now as I look back at that time in my life, I realize that this idealistic picture was a symbol of sanctuary for me. I wanted to find a safe haven that I hoped would shelter me from the coldness and fear that I felt within my own heart. I wanted to create a place of safety where I could escape from the turmoil and pain I saw in the hearts of others.

As a child I use to dream of escaping into my grandmother's waiting arms whenever I was misjudged or harshly mistreated at home. She was always ready to give me a hug and take me into her heart. That's why I painted this elderly-looking woman in this idealistic setting, because she represented the love and acceptance I needed, but rarely received at home.

I painted her standing outside looking at the bank of flowers because working with flowers was grandmother's favorite pastime. Although now as I look back on those childhood memories, I imagine grandma had an ulterior motive for puttering around outside in her flower garden just at the time I would pass by her house after school. She must have noticed that I was constantly hungry, because she would always place at least one or two of her famous rock buns in my pocket so that I would have something to eat on my way home from school.

One drawback of these life-saving memories was that we didn't always live near grandma. When we did life was bearable, but when we didn't there seemed to be no end to the ugly days... During those down times I would escape into a world of my own choosing and making in order to numb the terrible pain in my heart.

But then about twenty years ago something miraculous happened. My mother finally had the courage to tell me her story... By sharing her childhood abuse she freed me to let go of mine. Immediately I began to live life with a new focus. I chose to move toward my mother for her sake instead of moving away for mine.

I began to let go of years of unrealistic expectations of what I’d wanted my mother to be for me, because I saw that she was not just the mother who failed me, but a deeply hurt woman whom I failed to love. Her confession and tears freed me to forgive her for the years of anguish and rejection. Her honesty freed me to accept my loss.

I began to realize how much more she needed my love that I needed hers... I saw that she had been a child trying to raise a child, and no one understood. Now I wanted to offer her the gift of being understood. I wanted her to taste the joy of being forgiven. I wanted to offer her acceptance with no exception, because that is the kind of agape love God has freely given me.

And that, my friend, is the kind of agape love God has freely given you. No matter what storms you may be facing right now, and no matter what chaos is surrounding your life, you can find yourself a sanctuary in Jesus Christ. He can bring beauty out of the ugliest of situations as He brings His healing touch to our waiting hearts.

Now I no longer need to find a place of sanctuary by withdrawing from life, because God has given me sanctuary within His heart. Jesus is my sanctuary!

Too Busy!

2011-11-23T11:32:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

After discovering this painting the other day that I had "abandoned" to that box in the garage, I picked it up and was immediately shocked to see how "busy" this picture was... waaaaaaaaaay too busy!

Then the memories began to flood my mind... I had painted this picture soon after my son was born, and right after painting the poppies... "A Burst of Sunshine".

I had tried my hand at using a palette knife instead of a brush because I thought that it would be much faster. It was. Never mind the fact that I had gotten carried away with the number of flowers I had tried to squeeze into the vase... I was just "practicing" anyway, and had no serious intention of keeping this trial run. But like a lot of my other "trial runs" this one too found its way into that forgotten box in the garage, just waiting to be brought back to life at the right time... His time.

Looking at the painting now it is so obviously tooooooo busy! It reminds me of how busy and full my life was back then as I tried to juggle my new role as a mother with working outside of the home. No wonder I crammed so many daisies into one small vase. There was no time to paint a larger vase!

But I could have stopped painting the daisies at any time. No one had a knife to my throat demanding that I continue to paint them. I was in total control of the palette knife, but I got carried away in my exuberance and joy at seeing flowers materialize so quickly before my eyes. They reminded me of God's Smile.

By saying that, I'm not at all suggesting that God was smiling at my busyness. Not at all! He was smiling at me because He had given me a love for His creation, and now I was beginning to exercise the artistic gift He had given me...

I was taking baby steps back then, but as the years rolled by I matured in my gift and learned how to bring better balance into my pictures... and into my life. My focus and goals began to change as God became by number one priority. More balance was restored to the busyness of my life as I began to desire hearing God's voice and knowing His heart...

However, I must confess that sometimes I still get carried away with painting more "daisies" than I can ever fit into the "vase". In my exuberance and joy at living life in the Spirit I forget that there are still only 24 hours in a day. Do you know what I mean?

We need to remember that only as we rest in His love will we be able to hear God's heart for others. My desire is to let Him show me how to paint "daisies" so that others will see His smile upon them... even in the midst of their busyness. Then perhaps some will stop just long enough in the midst of their busy day to smell the sweet perfume of his presence, and decide to stop crowding Him out so that they can can paint daisies, too.

A Burst of Sunshine

2011-11-23T01:54:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Here are another couple of paintings I found tucked away in a box in the garage. These California poppies were my first try at doing oils while I was recovering from my C-section after giving birth to my son.

I must confess that, after moving to California, whenever I saw wild poppies growing beside the road I wanted to immediately stop the car and get out and pick some... that is until friends quickly informed me that picking the state flower that grew so profusely along the county roads was a misdemeanor. To me it seemed such a shame that none of these bright and beautiful, wild flowers would ever make their way into a vase in my home. So my next best option was to try and paint them instead.

These poppies were painted at a time when I was so happy to be a mommy. My son was a burst of sunshine that brought such joy into my life. And apparently that joy started to bubble up inside of me during the C-section surgery, because my doctor's first words to me in the recovery room were: "You have a beautiful singing voice, Mrs. Holland!"

"Huh? What do you mean?" I groggily responded.

"You sang at the top of your lungs throughout the entire surgery, "I'm gonna have a beautiful baby! I'm gonna have a beautiful boy! You repeated these words over and over and over again!"

"Really? I sang?"

"Yes! Usually all I hear from my patients is swearing! So hearing you sing like that was a real treat. And guess what? You do have a beautiful baby! You do have a beautiful boy!"

Of course back then I had no idea whether I was going to have a boy or a girl. But God knew. And I like to think that He chose to give me a joyful song back then to always remind me of how He knows everything about me... even the unspoken desires of my heart.

He knows everything about you, too... even the unspoken desires of your heart. More than anything else His desire for you is that you come to know Him like He knows you...intimately. And when you do, His joy will be like a burst of sunshine flooding your soul, and your heart will not be able to contain it.

See art link: Too Busy!

Unfinished Business

2011-11-22T15:31:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

I just came across this unfinished oil that I began painting many years ago. As you can tell from the expression on the little girl's face she is sad because her toy is broken. Her dog is trying to console her by offering her the comfort of his love through this difficult time.

I remember feeling like this little girl many times back then because my life was broken and I didn't know how to fix it. I longed for someone to offer me the comfort of their presence... someone who would be with me through the rough times.

Even though I didn't know that Someone intimately back then, Jesus was holding me in the palm of His hand as He carefully began putting the pieces of my life back together. Others may leave me, but He would be with me forever.

I think I will leave this oil painting unfinished to remind myself and others that God has not finished painting on the canvas of our lives, either. His promise to us is that the good work He began in us He will complete.

Although at times when we look at our lives we may feel like we are incomplete, we can know for a certainty that we are complete in Him. So let's let go of the nagging temptation to trust in the unfinished work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as the basis of our acceptance with God.

God accepts us on the basis of Christ's finished work on the cross, NOT on the basis of what the Holy Spirit does in our hearts. However, He tells us that He will complete the unfinished business in our hearts so that we can be confident that the One who began this good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

God's promise is sure. You are complete in Him, but He isn't finished with you yet!

Beauty for Ashes

2011-11-21T18:54:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me... to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness...that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3)

When Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth on that Sabbath day, He announced to the people present that He was the fulfillment of the Jubilee that had been foretold by the prophet Isaiah.

We know from reading the rest of the story that the people were not prepared to receive this "Good News". They were incensed and rejected the very idea that Joseph and Mary's son could be the “Anointed One”.

Nevertheless, in the same way that the Lord’s favor rested upon Jesus when He walked into the synagogue on that unforgetable day, so the Holy Spirit continued to rest upon Him for the next three years as He fulfilled His Jubilee mission.

As the Good News of salvation began to shine into the darkened recesses of people’s souls, it began to heal their broken hearts, and bring them freedom from slavery to sin. Jesus brought forth beauty from the ashes of people’s lives. He brought them hope when they were full of despair. He turned their mourning into joy and the spirit of heaviness was replaced by praise.

Jesus continues to give people beauty for ashes today. He gives us sight when we are spiritually blind, and brings us freedom when we’re oppressed by guilt. He reminds us that the basis of our acceptance with God will always be His finished work that took place outside of us on the cross.

So there’s nothing more that we can do because it has already been done by Him. The Good News that Isaiah foretold so many years ago was an announcement of pardon from sin that Christ’s good work alone accomplished for all mankind.

Jesus has become my Jubilee. He gives me the beauty of His life in exchange for the ashes of my failures and broken dreams.

* (This is a pastel I did a number of years ago as I struggled to create beauty out of the ashes of my life.)

The Winter of My Life

2011-11-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12:24

Have you ever felt that your life was one long, cold winter night that would never end? I have. The challenge and uncertainty of unforeseen circumstances left you wondering what would happen next as the monotonous days and months dragged by offering little hope that springtime was coming. Even the sun forgot to come out from behind the clouds on most days and offer you the consoling warmth of its rays.

But just as God had a purpose for creating the winter season, He also has a purpose for teaching us about His constancy and love during the winter seasons of our lives. During these times when we long for Springtime, we can't see what He's doing in our lives because everything is buried just beneath the surface.

But we can rest assured that God is doing His work in the soil of our hearts during the long, cold winter of our lives. Without winter there could be no Spring. For it is during the winter season that the seed must die in order to bring forth a fruitful harvest in the Spring.

Then at just the right time, in God's eternal Spingtime, He will bring forth a harvest of righteousness from the long, cold winter of our lives... a fruitful harvest that will glorify Him!

Hinds Feet

2011-11-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills." Habakkuk 3:19; Psalm 18:33

Only a God of love can transform the grief and pain that we each experience in our daily lives and make these valley times into something very precious. Since God made us for Himself, our hearts can never know His peace and rest until we find it in His love alone.

That's why this spiritual journey we are on has many troubles and trials and tests of every kind. God permits difficulties to come our way because one of the most important lessons God desires to teach us as we walk through dark times is that His love will never abandon us to the darkness. Instead, He is the Light that will overwhelm it.

He wants us to learn to trust Him and surrender our wills to Him in the midst of not knowing what lies ahead. As we choose to abandon ourselves to God's loving care, we will begin to experience the kind of love and intimacy that our hearts have always longed for.

Perhaps more than anything else God wants to show us how He can redeem our past mistakes and failures. He can restore the years that the locusts have eaten, and when we least expect it, He can bring forth fruitfulness out of what was once dry, parched ground.

Through His Spirit He wants to bring new meaning to our lives and give us a greater understanding of the experiences through which we pass. He wants to make our feet like the feet of a deer so that we can learn to walk by faith and not by sight. So let's choose to stand in the high places of His heart where His perfect love casts out all fear.

Sweet Fellowship

2011-11-19T12:30:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18

Here's another one of my oil paintings done on what originally was a very dark and discolored-looking shell. Since this shell didn't naturally have an evenly white background, I had to paint the background white before I could paint another heart-warming winter scene from God's creation.

Kind of reminds me of how our hearts looked before God forgave us and whitewashed us with His blood! Now our sins have become as white as snow, because His agape love covers a multitude of sins.

Since we have been so graciously forgiven, let us extend God's forgiveness to one another and enjoy the sweet fellowship that comes from living in the Spirit.

Unbroken Fellowship

2011-11-19T02:34:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Many years ago now I did a number of oil paintings on shells that I had picked up one afternoon during a stroll along Pismo Beach. I decided that these plain and ordinary looking shells could become quite extraordinary if I painted some heart-warming scenes on them and brought them to life. This one was my first try.

I know at times during our lives we may feel plain and ordinary, and perhaps even like a shell of what we use to be, but does God see us this way? Because we are His beloved children, God desires to leave His footprints on our hearts forever... heart-warming scenes that portray His mercy and grace so that we will come to know His heart of agape love for us.

God is so amazing and extraordinary because He created us in His image even though He knew that sin would mar His image in us. That's because He also new that our acceptance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us would bring healing and restoration to the broken fellowship that sin created.

Since our hearts have now been reconciled to Him because of the cross, we have been brought back to life through the Spirit. Now we can enjoy heart-warming and unbroken fellowship with Him forever.

God's Smile

2011-11-19T00:19:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

(A few years ago I did this drawing with pastels in order to express my gratefulness to God for the beauty of His creation that brought me such joy as a child!)

One of my favorite pastimes as a small child was going for a nature walk in the English countryside. I loved to run and skip through the fields and meadows, and breathe in the delicate perfume of the wild flowers while admiring their simple beauty. Each flower's face seemed to be bursting with joy as it danced and swayed in the gentle breeze, and I knew it was inviting me to pick it.

But more than anything else, I enjoyed finding a new wild flower that was tucked away from the beaten path and out of sight...especially one that I didn't have already in my hand. Somehow, whenever I discovered a new flower it was as if God was smiling at me.

However, whenever I found a flower that had been trampled on and crushed, I felt such sadness. So I would pick it and take it home with me, hoping to "resurrect" it later in a vase of water. Quite often that miracle happened.

I picked and gathered the wild flowers until my hands couldn't hold anymore because I desired to fill my whole house with the sweet perfume and delicate beauty of God's creation.

I didn't realize back then as a young child that God had placed within my heart a sensitivity to His Spirit that would be realized much later... As I saw God's heart for us expressed through His creation, I couldn't stop marveling at His handiwork.

I wanted to be out in nature 24/7, because it was only there that I felt accepted and loved. I could feel the warmth of God's smile upon me in every opening flower, and I hoped that someday I too would be free to dance and smile like these beautiful flowers, and become the child He created me to be...

A Priceless Pearl

2011-11-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

(I painted this oil about 27 years ago, and then wrote this parable about 20 years ago as I was beginning to get a deeper understanding of the agape love that was in the heart of the Father for you and me.)

One day the Great Pearl Merchant was walking among the rock pools of His universe. He was searching for fine pearls and He knew just where to look—in the most remote places where no one else would venture to go.

One day as He was gazing into the limpid waters He discovered me, tucked away under a large rock hidden from view. Carefully He reached down, picked me up and opened up my rough exterior. I saw Him kneeling there admiring my worth and beauty. The light that came from Him made me glow and sparkle. I had never seen myself before as I really was, because I had always been in the darkness of my prison. But now I saw another world of much light.

He gently laid me down in a safe place and told me He would return. Now I had time to reflect… If He hadn't opened me up I would never have known the truth about myself. I would never have known who I really was. I didn't know that I was a beautiful pearl, because all I had ever experienced was the dark, locked shell, and the constant irritation of fighting against whatever it was that made me feel uncomfortable. But He had seen past my ugly outer defenses.

Soon the Great Pearl Merchant returned from His Kingdom. He had sold all His possessions—everything He owned to purchase me. He kneeled down and lovingly held me in the palm of His hand. I was the Pearl of Great Price that He had been looking for. I was worth everything to Him.

I was so happy to be out of my darkness that I just lay there in His hand, content to reflect His light. I wondered… if I hadn't gone through the constant knocks and irritations of life in the shell, would I be this beautiful pearl that He wanted so much to be with Him forever?

In the Palm of His Hand

2011-11-15T03:10:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

After seeing the movie, "Deep Impact" (thirteen years ago) I was emotionally drained and upset when I walked in the back door of my home. It was after 11 o'clock at night and the place was in darkness except for a small light I had left on over the stove.

Immediately I noticed the shadow of something small fly across my kitchen. At first I thought it was a butterfly that had landed on the hood over my stove. Imagine my surprise to discover that it was a little hummingbird! But how in the world did a hummingbird get in my house...especially at night?

My first concern was for the little bird's safety. It could beat itself to death trying to escape getting caught. So I stood still looking at it for a moment before I slowly began to move towards it.

The hummingbird seemed so small and so fragile. How could he ever possibly know that I wanted to free him and not harm him. But I think he knew because he let me cup him in the palm of my hand and very gently take him outside. When I opened my hands he flew two feet away onto a branch of wisteria that grew around my back porch.

He sat on the branch for the longest time, intently looking at me. It was as if he was saying, "Thank you for caring for me!" When he began to stretch his little wings, the tears began to roll down my cheeks because the Lord began to speak to my heart.

Since God knew the deep impact that this disaster movie had made on me, He used a little hummingbird to help me deal with my trust issues, and bring further healing to my heart. Because this little hummingbird had trusted me to take care of him, he showed me that I could also trust God in the most difficult of circumstances. I was in the palm of His hand!

(I have always loved hummingbirds, but after this experience I was compelled to try and do this pastel depicting their beauty.)

Such Gentleness

2011-11-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Psalm 42:1

When I first set out to try my hand at doing pastels years ago, I told myself that I was just "practicing" because of all the mistakes I was making in this first picture, and knew I couldn't erase.

I think I was impressed to draw a mother deer with her baby fawn because it was a reminder of the love and closeness that I had always longed for as a child, but never received. There was something about the gentleness of this mother deer that helped me understand that this was God's intention for His creation from the very beginning...

But sin has left its ugly scars on God's creation so that our longings for love and closeness are not always realized when we need them the most. However, God knew this would happen, and so He chose to enter into our world and become the love and closeness that we all need.

Now, through the Spirit, we can enter into an intimate relationship with God and receive His love...a love that our souls have always longed for. Now, like the deer that seeks to drink from streams of water, we can drink from His streams of Living Water where we will never thirst again.

Another Place in Time

2011-11-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

This is the last of the water colors that I painted in 1967 while I was confined to a TB hospital waiting for the results of the sputum test to see if I had contracted TB from the previous tenant who had lived in our apartment.

That was the longest two months of my life! As you can see I escaped to another place in time where life was simple and more carefree.

Carry Me Forever

2011-11-12T20:42:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Here's another water color that I painted during the same period of time that I painted "Woodland Wonders"... over 40 years ago. I was 22 at the time and had only been married 2 months when I was sent away to this TB hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan for 2 months.

I needed Jesus to be my Shepherd and carry me through this very difficult time in my life. I know He did.

He will carry you through difficult times in your life, too. Even though you may not feel His touch you can enter into His Heart and know that He is your faithful Shepherd, and His love will carry you through.

Going Through Deep Waters

2011-11-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Like the other water color paintings that I've recently shared from my past, I also painted this one at a time in my life when I felt like I was going to drown in my grief.

But as I began to paint this picture I remembered the following words of Scripture: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you" (Isaiah 43:2).

Although it felt like I was not able to breathe, I did. Although it felt like I was going to drown, I didn't. Although I felt helpless and hopeless and didn't know how I was going to be able to keep my head above water, the Lord became my strength and held my head high. He lifted me up out of the pit and placed my feet on firm ground. He brought me out into the spacious place of His heart where there was plenty of room for me to learn to begin to trust in His love...

(You might notice that I signed my last name as "Lonberg" in this painting... that was before I had my name changed back to what it is now).

Peeling Back the Layers

2011-11-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Did you ever feel that God was peeling back the layers of pain in your life in order to expose something that you didn't really want to see? He will do that you know, because He longs to restore our wounded souls and bring healing to our hurting hearts.

For me back then (thirty years ago) it was the ugliness of unforgiveness that was buried deep within my heart. All the wrongs that had been done against me as a child, and all the pain that had been inflicted upon me by my own sins as an adult, or the sins of others...it had all left its ugly scars.

But when I painted this picture I was not yet ready to really see the ugliness that was in my own heart. That came later... In God's timing, when He showed me that my heart was like a red onion, I saw that each white layer of pain and unforgiveness were the scars in my life that were always covered by a red layer of His saving blood.

I not only recognized that I was covered by Christ's blood and forgiven for my sins, but the sins of others done against me were also covered by His blood! Even before I had repented of the hardness of my own heart, I had been forgiven! The truth of God's heart of agape love brought me to my knees. The goodness of God led me to repentance. It broke my heart to see such love revealed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for me.

Seeing God's goodness revealed to me like this freed me to forgive myself, and let go of the hurt and wounds from my past. It set me free to love others unconditionally with God's agape love. Because His love had restored my soul and healed my heart, I wanted others to experience His healing grace, too.

Islands of Power

2011-11-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

Here's another watercolor that I painted over thirty years ago that I found hidden away in a box in the garage. Apparently I had painted several abstract watercolors at the time as I struggled to make meaning out of painful realities that were governing my life.

When I looked at this picture the other day I was immediately reminded of a post that I had written back in 2008 about God's failsafe power system. So I decided to rewrite the article and post it along with this painting on my "Sound the Trumpet blog" at the link below, because God has redeemed my past.

http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2011/11/failsafe-power.html

Broken Pieces of My Life

2011-11-06T23:18:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

I found eight more watercolors that I painted over 30 years ago stashed away in that dusty old box in my garage... I'm kind of embarrassed to post this one here because it not only reveals that contemporary art is NOT my forte, but it also exposes my past brokenness.

In my struggle to find meaning out of the pain and heartbreak of divorce, I decided to paint the confusing mixture of feelings I was experiencing inside. This painting depicts the many layers within my heart that needed healing. At the time they were being torn apart and ripped into irregular shaped pieces. The colors used represent the various emotions I was experiencing at the time...

The dark shades of green, brown, and black at the bottom of the painting represent my depression. But the worse feelings of all were my unending feelings of hopelessness and abandonment that stretched out in lengthy plateaus...

The layers of blue represent my feelings of isolation and rejection that I had towards myself. Since blue is a cool color I chose it to represent the cold and harsh feelings I had toward myself from an early age. I didn't know who I was because I had not yet experienced the intimacy of knowing Jesus through the Spirit, neither had I yet been overwhelmed by the love in the Father's heart for me.

The red represents Christ's blood and His love for me that covers my sins. This was painted more from my knowledge of the Scriptures, than from my life in the Spirit. Although He knew me, I didn't yet know Him. Although I loved Jesus Christ, I didn't yet KNOW Him personally.

The layers of blue and red shades together depict the struggle I was having in allowing God to come into my desert places of deep brokenness. The thick walls (blue colors) that I had erected to protect my heart also kept me from experiencing God's heart for me.

The lighter colors represent my moments of catching a fleeting glimpse of the "light", and hoping that one day it would be more than just a glimpse. I wanted to feel joy again. The light colors of pink represented faith.

I wanted to believe that as soon as I began to heal from my rejection and abandonment issues the walls would come down. So the painting depicts the hope I had in the mist of my despair. Although I couldn't see through the darkness at the time, I painted the lighter shades, hoping that one day the clouds of depression would vanish and reveal the warmth of the sun (Son).

The yellow and orange shades at the top of the painting represent the "Light" I was searching for. That was before I came to understand that "Light" is a Person, and joy is one of His gifts through the Spirit!

Now I'm thankful that I didn't throw this painting away because it's a reminder to me, and hopefully to anyone who reads this post that God is faithful! He will more than finish the good work He has begun in you and I.

He will more than heal all of our broken places with His agape love. He will draw us to Himself with His love and offer us His heart where we can find ultimate rest in Him 24/7. His place of rest and intimacy in the Spirit is glorious we cannot keep Him to ourselves.

The Music Maker

2011-11-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

By Hazel Holland

Here's another watercolor that I painted over thirty years ago that I found stashed away in a box in the garage. It was my first try at doing contemporary art...and my last!

I remember wanting to make beautiful music in my heart in order to drown out the sadness that I felt inside. But I didn't personally know the only One who could give me the notes to play and the words to sing.

But He created a hunger inside of me for something more than what I knew. The Relentless Pursuer never gave up on pursuing me with His love. He won't give up on you either, because it's your heart that He's after.

Woodland Wonders

2011-11-02T00:32:00.000-07:00

By Hazel Holland

Here's another water color that I painted 44 years ago while I was confined to a TB hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan for two months. Apparently I got a fungus in my lungs that looked like TB, but thankfully wasn't.

In order to lift my spirits and forget about the fact that I was wearing a mask over my nose and mouth 24/7, I escaped into the wonderful world of art where I was free to roam the woodland and joyfully take in the wonders of God's creation.

Now as I look back to that dark time in my life I am amazed that I painted a watercolor that reflects such lightness and joy. The Fall colors remind me of how much I miss the four seasons out here in California, and how I'm looking forward to enjoying them again when I move to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho next Spring.

Finding My Rest

2011-11-01T23:37:00.000-07:00

By Hazel Holland

As I was cleaning out my garage the other day I came across a box that contained several watercolor paintings that I did over thirty years ago. They were tucked away inside a forgotten folder because I saw little value in my work.

It's quite amazing to me now that something as beautiful as this little bird was discarded by me as having little value. As I think back to that time in my life it was probably more of a reflection of the way I saw myself rather than the way I perceived God's feathered creation.

Today as I looked at this painting it brought me great joy as I realized that I have come to find my true rest in Him alone. Jesus has become my Sabbath rest 24/7.

Legacy Art Classes

2011-08-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

By Hazel Holland

A number of years ago I was assigned to teach art classes in an elementary school in order to determine what kind of impact creative expression might have on the academic lives of the students. By providing a safe and caring outlet for self-expression, children of various ages were able to not only access their creativity, but also able to slowly work through academic and behavioral problems, along with difficult issues in their personal lives.

The grades of failing students began to improve. Students with behavior problems became more able to control their emotions. As the student’s sense of well-being improved they began treating one another with more respect and kindness, making the classroom a more peaceful place.

Legacy Art

After seeing the positive impact that my art classes had on the lives of children, I decided to make a difference in the lives of the elderly population in nursing homes and assisted living facilities by providing them with an opportunity to express themselves creatively.

• Legacy Art provides a nurturing and supportive environment for artistic self-expression that helps give seniors a renewed sense of well-being as they participate in the life-affirming pleasures of creating art from the heart.

• Legacy Art will help seniors use their imagination to visually express their inner and outer world of feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Seniors may not realize it, but they have many valuable lessons to teach us from the “school of life”.

• Families will treasure the legacy that their elderly loved one creates. Hopefully their art work will become a keepsake that will be worth more than a thousand words!

• A Legacy Art instructor will come to your place of residence and provide weekly art instruction. Specific activities offered are water color painting, colored tissue paper painting (great for greeting cards), drawing with various mediums, plus a number of seasonal ideas & projects for creative seniors.

• Contact Hazel at hazelholland@gmail.com or call (951) 505-0104 to set up a date and time for Legacy Art Classes where seniors will enjoy creating memories from their heart. Families will treasure the legacy their elderly loved ones create. Hopefully their art work will become a keepsake that will be worth more than a thousand words!

YES! THE LION OF JUDAH HAS TRIUMPHED!

2011-04-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

By Hazel Holland

Praise be to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze... whose love many waters cannot quench, has destroyed every work of darkness, and purchased men and women for God through His blood. To Him be praise and honor, glory and power forever!

(For further reading about this water color painting of Jesus Christ's triumph over death see: http://artfromhisheart.blogspot.com/2008/04/lion-of-judah-has-triumphed.html

The Naked Truth

2010-09-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

My new book can be ordered at the following links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Truth-Exposing-Deception-Adventism/dp/143926662X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287621413&sr=1-1

CreateSpace: https://www.createspace.com/900000430

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hazel.holland2

Also be sure to watch this promo video at the following link:
http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2010/12/liberate-yourself-from-package.html.

Are you free to rest in His "good" work?

2010-09-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

Only when we choose to repent and release our "good" works at the foot of the cross, will we be free to enter into the joy of His "good" work.

This is an enlarged section of a watercolor that I painted to help illustrate my new book, "The Naked Truth". It will soon be available for purchase.

Fear of Deception

2010-09-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

The fear of deception prevents many Seventh-day Adventists from laying aside previously held opinions to search the Scriptures for themselves to discover Truth.

This is a copy of one of the watercolors I painted to help illustrate by new book, "The Naked Truth". It should be available for purchase before the end of this month.

The Lion of Judah has Triumphed!

2008-04-02T21:00:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

"Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed." Revelation 5:5

I was compelled to paint this picture of Jesus Christ’s triumph over death after discovering that He wasn’t in soul sleep while He was dead in the grave... After a lifetime of believing error I was overwhelmed with joy and many tears as I discovered the length and depth that Jesus Christ went to for you and me. He literally left no stone unturned! His powerful words from the cross reverberated throughout His creation causing even the rocks to be torn apart when He cried out, “It is finished!”

Knowing that Christ disarmed the powers of darkness and overthrew them by triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15) I painted them in defeated poises as they look on with horror at seeing Christ enter Hades to redeem the spirits of the righteous dead... However, when I painted the light coming from Jesus over them it exposed the darkness in their faces and many of them faded so that they now blend into the rocks! Darkness must flee when Light is present!

You can see the spirits of the righteous dead rejoicing a little better in the larger copy of the painting at the link given below. They are rejoicing because they are about to be released from the upper regions of Hades (Paradise) and taken to be with Christ... The yellow-orange color is not meant to suggest heat, but only the light that must have been so overwhelming when Jesus announced to them that the plan of salvation had been completed!

I chose not to portray Christ going to the lower regions of Sheol where the souls/spirits of the wicked are held for judgment, because I could not visually portray such awful torment where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. I will leave that with God. More about that later on another post...

As you read the rest of this post at: http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2008/04/lion-of-judah-has-triumphed_03.html, I pray that the Holy Spirit will hold you in His arms as He speaks the truth in love to your heart through the clear words of Scripture. You can also see a larger copy of this painting if you scroll down to the end of the page at the link shown above.

.........

I would also like to encourage you to check out another depiction of this same event that speaks of the love in the Father's heart for us all. It is done by my friend and spiritual son, Ramone, titled, "The plundering of Sheol" at this link: http://art-for-jesus.blogspot.com/2008/03/plundering-of-sheol.html.

No More Shame

2008-03-27T05:34:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

"Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame" (Psalm 34:5).

This is the first time in my life that I have ever tried to seriously do a self-portrait. I have always found faces hard to draw and paint, and never thought they would come out looking like anything close to the original. But after my friend, Leila, did a photo shoot of me several days ago I was impressed that God wanted me to paint a watercolor of myself being released from shame!

As we were looking at the hundreds of pictures she had taken for the photo shoot I became aware that I had acted goofy in so many of them in an attempt to cover-up my embarrassment of having the focus of attention on myself. I hammed it up because I was having pictures taken on a bad hair day. I was sure that the angles that were used to take some of the pictures would make me look like I have a double chin…and they did. The close shots at times accentuated the flaws in my skin, hair and body. They were not pretty to see. Many of the pictures were not perfect because I am not perfect.

But more importantly, I found that Leila was trying to give me a "loving perspective" of myself through these photos. She wanted me to be able to see myself with humor, and in light of how God sees me. She succeeded in her task.

God sees me freed from shame. That is why I chose to call this watercolor painting, “No More Shame”, because by naming this emotion I am now publicly acknowledging that I have power over its destructive patterns in my life in Jesus’ name.

Shame in and of itself is a normal human emotion, because it shows us that we are human and have limitations. It tells us that we make mistakes, that we are not perfect, and that we need help. Healthy shame tells us that we are not God.

But when shame as a normal human emotion is transformed into shame as a state of our being, then shame becomes our identity. Now we believe our true self is flawed and defective, resulting in toxic shame that always necessitates a cover-up—a false self that is neither flawed nor defective!

As a result of growing up in a very dysfunctional and abusive home, I believed that I was damaged goods from an early age, and so I unknowingly began the process of trying to cover up the many faces of toxic shame… My worth was measured by what I did or did not do—not by what was inside of me. I believed I was a “human doing” rather than a human being. Although it has taken many years to free myself of this menacing enemy, I am now learning to reduce toxic shame by transforming it back into healthy shame.

I do this my admitting that I am not perfect, and that I make mistakes. I do this by setting up healthy boundaries that reflect my human need to love others, and be loved by others in healthy ways. Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness that use to be a part of my life are now a thing of the past.

I have hope and assurance of who I am in Jesus Christ. I know He is able to use my God-given authentic true self as a witness of His healing power and transforming love. He has indeed freed me from the toxic shame that use to bind me! Let us celebrate the truth that He has taken away our shame!

I Chose You

2008-03-12T03:35:00.000-07:00

by Hazel

"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:16-17

I began painting this picture yesterday after realizing the struggles that many of us face when it comes to trusting our Abba--our Daddy. Because of broken relationships, hurtful childhoods, and the numerous disappointments of life, a lot of us have learned to protect ourselves from further hurt by guarding our hearts so as to shield ourselves from really experiencing intimacy with God.

But He is calling us to come to Him like a little child... He is calling us to get in touch with that child-like part of us that is spontaneous and carefree, and that is not afraid to embrace life because we know that our lives our safely hidden in God. We can risk reaching out to love others unconditionally because He first loved us!

After I painted the child's hand reaching up to God, and God's hand reaching down to grasp the child's, I was impressed to paint city tenement buildings in the background. The message I was receiving from Him is that behind those brick and stone walls are children that He is calling to Himself...little children as well as adult children. They all need to know who Jesus is, and that God is pouring out His Spirit so that they can be drawn to Him. They all need to know that He knows them by name, and is eager and willing and wanting to embrace them with His strong arms of love and draw them into His heart.

Can you hear the cry of the Father's heart as He calls out to us to bring His lost children home? Each one is precious and chosen and known by Him. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to give us God's heart of agape love for those He is calling to Himself. We are called to be His ministers of reconciliation as we partner with God and with one another to bring His beloved children home. "Father, thank You, that You reached down and took hold of us before we ever reached out to you! Now we are forever gratefully Yours!"

A Spirit of Lawlessness

2008-03-09T00:29:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

I painted this watercolor this afternoon to illustrate something I saw in the Spirit about twelve years ago...something that I didn't begin to understand until today!

In this vision I saw someone dressed up like Robin Hood, holding his bow and arrow, getting ready to take aim. All of a sudden he pulled back on the bow string and an arrow went flying through the air beyond my line of vision.

Immediately, a large group of "spectators"who had been watching this "sports" event off to the right began to loudly cheer with seditious laughter as "Robin Hood" hit his target. Having successfully "hit" his intended victim, the marksman reached around to get another arrow out of his bag.

Just as he was about to release the second arrow, I heard the Spirit say, "Lift up the shield of faith!" Again the crowd of "spectators" applauded their "hero" as his second arrow hit its mark again.

I knew by the sound of the ugly laughter that this crowd of "spectators" was not human, but rather a gathering from the hordes of hell. I shuddered as I saw that they were unable to contain their demonic glee and their foul appreciation of seeing another human being fall prey to their trickery and lies. But I was stumped as to why God was using "Robin Hood" as the archer, and his "merry men" as a gathering from the hordes of hell in this vision.

To read the rest of this post go to this link: http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2008/03/spirit-of-lawlessness.html

A Man of Sorrows

2008-03-07T01:10:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering... He was pierced for our transgressions, and He was crushed for our iniquities...and by His wounds we are healed" (Isaiah 53:3-5).

I was compelled by the Spirit to paint this watercolor this evening. I think God wants to drive home the truth to us that Jesus really did carrying our sins upon Himself... The cross that I painted Him carrying is a symbol of Him bearing the weight of our transgressions and sicknesses upon Himself so that we can be healed! He took your punishment and my punishment upon Himself so that we can walk in the freedom of the new covenant gospel. We can stand tall in Jesus Christ, and no longer be held down as “prisoners of the law”!

(A larger copy of this painting can be seen at the bottom of the page at this link: http://transformed-by-truth.blogspot.com/)

Prisoners of the Law

2008-03-05T17:34:00.001-08:00

by Hazel

"...Only in Christ is it (the veil of the old covenant) taken away" ( 2 Corinthians 3:14).

I painted these two watercolor paintings yesterday to illustrate a scene I had seen in a vision several months ago. Why is this "army" on all fours? Why are they not able to get up, stand, walk and fight?

Go to the following links to find the answers:

http://transformed-by-truth.blogspot.com/2008/03/army-in-disarray.html (Vision).

http://transformed-by-truth.blogspot.com/2008/03/army-in-disarray-interpretation.html (Interpretation).

To view larger copies of these watercolor paintings scroll down to the bottom of the page at this link: http://transformed-by-truth.blogspot.com/2008/03/army-in-disarray.html

The Cross

2008-03-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

I painted these watercolors this afternoon as I remembered my son's final words in a dream that God gave me back in 1995. In the dream as we were both looking up into the night sky a huge cross of light appeared in the heavens. I quickly realized that Rob couldn’t see it, but before I could say anything the cross of light turned into a large wooden cross with a huge knot in the center of it. The words that escaped from his lips caused me to be overcome with the joy of the Lord as I heard him exclaim, “Now I see!”

My prayer is that each one of you will come to “see” and accept the incredible gift of God’s love that has been given to each of us in Jesus Christ. May the Spirit reveal to you that although our world is but a speck in a universe of billions of galaxies, you are, and forever will be, His first love!

I AM

2008-02-27T20:04:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

After writing a word from His heart this morning I was inspired to paint this water color this afternoon as I thought about Sara, a young friend of mine, who is going through a difficult time in her life right now. You can read the word from His heart at :

http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-will-calm-your-sea.html

Look to the Light

2008-02-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

I wrote this poem after receiving the "Vision of the Trees" posted in http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2008/02/vision-of-trees.html. I did this pastel last night to illustrate the last tree in the vision that didn't draw attention to itself...

You stand so stately, tall and green.
The most perfect tree I've ever seen.
How your lights sparkle and make you glow.
They're clear as crystal—you steal the show.

At first you stood erect, alone.
Now another tree comes to take your throne.
Blue light’s flicker where they've been placed.
On every branch so perfectly spaced.

Sadly I watch your beauty fade
Just like the sparkle the other pine made.
Now another tree glitters where you once stood.
Its multi-colored lights for a moment look good.

Then suddenly you vanish before my eyes
And in your place to my surprise
Is a forest of trees, shimmering, bright
Like silent sentinels guarding the night.

All of a sudden a string of lights appear
To circle the forest in a shackle of fear.
Again and again the cord wraps around
Until the forest is nowhere to be found.

Again the scene changes its wintry face
As a fir displays its beauty and grace.
The soft rays of Light make everything new
As each branch glistens like morning dew.
Now rainbow colors rest on each needle.
Its glory surpasses a mighty cathedral.

Then I heard His voice so gently say,
"Look to the Light while it is still day.
Don't make your own light when you can't see.
I am your Light; look up, It is Me!
Even when you walk through the darkest night,
Trust in My love, walk by faith, not by sight."

"Forgive us dear Lord for what we have done.
We repent of our pride, we submit to Your Son.
Break the chords of our bondage--we will be free.
Bring us back from captivity.
We renounce our light, and receive Your fire.
You are our Light,our heart's desire."

Lover & His Beloved

2008-02-14T11:15:00.001-08:00

by Hazel

I painted this water color yesterday. Actually it was early this morning after I had posted "His Beloved Daughter" on my other blog,
http://a-prophetic-journey.blogspot.com/2008/02/his-beloved-daughter.html. I didn't realize it was in the early hours of Valentine's Day when I painted it! I believe the Lord wants to share His heart with us through this painting... In spite of the darkness seen in her heart, the Beloved is offering her heart just as it is to her Lover knowing that His blood covers her sins completely...

This picture came as a result of writing the post, “His Beloved Daughter”, that reveals my past struggles to love and accept myself, and finally discover who I was in Christ. I wanted to illustrate my brokenness and His willingness to receive and love me just as I was/am. Here are a few of my thoughts…

A friend pointed out the striking similarity between this painting and the "Father's Broken Heart" that I had done earlier. As I was painting this picture I noticed the similarity, too, and I wanted to make it different, but I couldn’t as much as I tried. I don’t believe this is a coincidence, because God was compelling me to paint it as He brought His heart on me to do it.

When I began to paint I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I wanted to hold up my hands and offer Him my heart just as it was... Then as I prayed the Spirit impressed me to paint Jesus looking down on me from the cross with His blood falling upon me. As I began to do this I recognized I had portrayed my heart as I wanted others to see me--not how He saw me. I had painted my heart all red with no darkness inside. I had covered up my broken and imperfect heart so that it would look like an acceptable offering to Him. But that is not what He wants! The Father’s heart was broken for us by the sacrifice of His Son. He accepts willing and contrite hearts. He wants us just as we are so that he can change us into His image...

Then, Like Peter, I wanted Him to wash all of me, not just my “feet”, so I began to paint His blood running down my hands and arms symbolizing my need to be totally covered by His sacrifice for me. But I believe the Lord would say to us, “When you offer Me your broken and contrite hearts, you are totally covered by my blood! There’s nothing more that you can do, because it already has been done by Me! Rest, my Beloved, in the knowledge that I AM your Lover! I accept you and adore you just as you are! And I will change you from glory to glory…”

The rainbow above Jesus symbolizes the truth that He is the Promise Keeper! He will fulfill His promises to us, because we are Beloved—His Bride.

I know at times in my life when I have reached out to God He has felt so far away. We have all experienced that at times. But the truth is, because He has already given us His Spirit to live in us, He is nearer than the breath we breathe. I wanted to convey the truth that He is near--not some distant God, but very close to us. He is God with us—Emmanuel!

As we lift up our hands in intercession, bringing Him the hearts of His beloved and hurting children, He will not fail to keep His promises to us. His arms are outstretched, reaching out to embrace and receive this world’s hurting sons and daughters… He is calling us to bring them to Him just as they are, and allow Him to perform the miracle of His transforming love upon their broken and imperfect hearts.

(Larger copy of this painting can bee seen at the bottom of http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/)

Fruitfulness

2008-02-10T18:41:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

This was one of the first oil paintings I did many years ago at a time when there seemed to be very little fruifulness in my life. I wanted to create something beautiful on canvas so that I could forget about the ugliness I felt inside of me... If only I could wipe away the sad memories and erase the bad decisions with one stroke of my oil brush...

Now as I look back at that time in my life when I was walking through a desert valley... I was not deserted or alone because God never abandons His children. He was in the valley with me. He supported me when I stumbled along in the desert. He wiped away my tears when the sorrows of life seemed impossible to bear. He carried me on His shoulders when I was too lost to even know I needed to be found.

But the most beautiful thing I learned about God is that when the Master Artist dips His divine oil brush in His blood to wipe away our mistakes, they do not remain covered up underneath another layer of paint. They are totally removed from the canvas of our life as if the error was never there in the first place. And in the place of our deepest brokenness He uses His oil brush to paint a beautiful picture of our fruitfulness that now comes fom Him!

The Fish Tank

2008-02-07T11:23:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

Recently the Lord urged me to paint what I had seen in a vision that I received from Him while praying for a friend twelve years ago. Although this water color painting falls short of the beauty of the fish tank I was shown, it reveals the message that is on God's heart...

As I was painting this picture of my friend in the fish tank trying to swallow tiny air bubbles that came out of the filter in order to stay alive, my heart became strangely moved with a deep sorrow... I hadn't fully undersood what this really meant twelve years ago when I received this vision, because I was also in the “tank” sucking air bubbles to try and keep alive…

"Lord, release us all from fish tank living into the Ocean of your Amazing Grace where we can drink daily of Your River of Delights. Lord, You are the air we breathe! We’re tired of being bound to man-made “filtering systems” that keep your Holy Spirit from breathing His true Life-giving Energy and Presence into us. Lord, we want the quality of Life that comes from living in You with no filters, because You came to give us Life to the fullest!"

God wants to free all of us who have found ourselves confined by the limitations of life within the tank! You may read more about this vision in one of my other blogs, "Sound the Trumpet"...Fish Tank Vision
http://sound-the-trumpet.blogspot.com/2008/02/fish-tank_09.

What is Art from His Heart?

2008-01-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

Let me explain. For sometime now I have had a longing to paint pictures in the Spirit from the various dreams and visions I have had that depict the love in the heart of the Father for His often wayward, yet beloved children. Since I have never done this kind of painting before I was very hesitant to try.

All of my paintings up until now have been inspired by something I have seen in real life. Yes, God was, and still is, glorified by the beauty of what I have already painted. I give Him all the credit for His gift of painting, but there's a difference now within me.

The kind of painting I feel the Lord drawing me into now is painting pictures that have a message that will speak directly to peoples hearts. I want to paint pictures that will glorify Jesus Christ and His passion for His beloved children...pictures of who God is and why He is so worthy of our worship and praise.

An amazing thing happened recently when I chose to obey the Spirit's promptings and paint two pictures I had seen in the Spirit twelve years ago ("The Trumpet is at His Lips" and "The Father's Heart"). As soon as I put the paintbrush to the paper and began to paint what I was so sure I couldn't paint, I found myself back in the scene I had originally seen, and became a part of it for the second time around.

Truly God has shown me that it isn't what our flesh can do, but what His Spirit can accomplish through us if we will only trust Him. So from time to time you will see paintings on this site that I have done from something the Spirit has shown me. I hope they will bless, strengthen and encourage you to run after the One whom my soul loves. You will never be disappointed. He will always receive you with open arms as you choose to let Him enfold you in His loving embrace.

My Secret Place

2008-01-27T19:39:00.000-08:00

This is a copy of my first oil painting. Because I enjoy flowers and meadows and mountain streams in the Springtime, I wanted to paint a picture that would be my own private getaway... a place that I could escape to when I needed to get away from the stress of life.

I would imagine myself sitting beside this mountain stream, listening to the babbling brook as I drank in the beauty of this Alpine meadow. But as much as I love nature, the beauty of God's creation only brought momentary relief from the cares of life. It didn't bring lasting peace to my weary soul.

Then I discovered Someone who could quiet my restless spirit and calm my troubled soul. I could go to Him with all my stresses and problems and He always welcomed me with open arms. Being in His presence I found rest from the cares of life... I discovered the secret places of His heart for me, His beloved child. He has become my Hiding Place, my Safe Getaway that I can go to at anytime. He's always inviting me to come walk with Him in His green pastures and rest beside His still waters so that He can refresh my soul and free my spirit. Now all I want to do is worship Him.

Reflections of the past

2008-01-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I remembered the last place where I had hidden this oil painting... For over twenty years I have moved it around from one place to the next... trying to forget the sad circumstances under which I painted it. But today it came out of hiding! Today I choose to no longer hide the pain of my past mistakes and broken relationships! Today I choose to share God's love through it all...

A Priceless Pearl

2008-01-22T15:09:00.000-08:00

Several years ago the Lord gave me a parable as I was reflecting on the way He uses the trials and disappointments in our lives to buff out the rough spots and soften the hardened places in our hearts. I named it, “A Priceless Pearl.” It depicts Jesus Christ who is the Merchant looking for fine pearls (Matthew 13:45). He

uses the knocks and bruises of life to make us beautiful. Each one of us is a "pearl of great price" to Him.

Here are three differnt framed copies of "A Priceless Pearl" so that you may get an idea of what the print looks like when it is framed. You can place your cursor on the print to enlarge it so that you can read the parable.

Although I have a limited number of the ocean theme background because it is no longer being manufactured, I think it may be possible for me to make copies of this background ocean theme if people continue to want it.

Copies of "A Priceless Pearl "will be available to purchase here just as soon as we figure out the pricing and shipping charges. I suspect that most people will want to purchase just the print, and maybe a mat, but proabably not a frame because of the expense involved in shipping. I will post a detailed breakdown of the prices as soon as possible.

Picture size 8 x 10, parable printed on an ocean theme background.

Matt size: 8 1/2 x 11 (white with black inner border).

Black wood frame: 11 x 14 comes in various styles (will have a picture of them soon).

Picture size: 8 x 10, parable printed on a light beige parchment background.

Matt size: 11 x 14 (black and gold)

Gold wood frame: (available until sold out. Similar styles of gold frames can be made available and shown on this page at the time an order is placed).

Picture size: 8 x 10, poem printed on light blue parchment background.

Matt size: 11 x 14 (dark blue and gold)

Gold wood frame: (available until sold out. Similar styles of gold frames can be made available and shown on this page at the time an order is placed).

Note: Other frames available besides the ones shown here.

Tough Times

2008-01-21T00:11:00.000-08:00

By Hazel Holland

When I painted this oil many years ago I wanted to honor my grandfather's memory... his frugal ways and the simplicity of his life style. But I had a difficult time getting his face and hair just right. So I decided to add a beard to his moustache, and extra hair to the top of his balding head.

But then the painting looked too bare and uninteresting so I decided to add a dog. I hesitated at first of putting a dog in the picture, because my grandfather disliked animals, and would have reluctantly shared his meal with this furry friend.

After placing the dog in the picture I realized that the painting spoke eloquently of my grandfather's ways... He was a recluse who enjoyed the solitude of sitting by a warm fire, eating a bowl of bread and milk, alone with his own thoughts. He would have dismissed the dog's presence, and ignored his pitiful begging.

Although I loved my grandfather, and lived with him and my grandmother much of the time as a child, I could never get close to him. He was always distant and removed, and didn't appear to be very interested in what was going on around him most of the time.

As I got to thinking about this painting recently I realized that as a child I was the little dog in the picture who was "begging". I was "begging" to be heard"... "begging" to be noticed... "begging" for some expression of love that would let me know that I was valuable to my grandfather.

Then I realized that sometimes we view God like a distant grandfather. We behave like God is so far removed from our daily lives that He cannot possibly be interested in our every day needs. We feel like we have to beg and plead in order to get His attention and be heard.

But that is not who God is. He is the opposite of my grandfather. He is not emotionally absent. Scriptures reveals that God enjoys His children so much (God has no grandchildren), that He dances over them with singing (Ephesians 3:17). We don't have to beg God or plead with Him for anything because He is very attentive to our needs. David says of God that he has never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging for bread.

How much more willing is God to give us "bread" than we are to give good gifts to our children? We don't have to "beg" Him for "food", but to open our hearts and minds and receive the Living Bread that He has already given us so freely in Jesus Christ.

ORDERING PRINTS

2008-01-21T00:07:00.000-08:00

For a number of years people have been telling me that I should sell my paintings. I have sold a few over the years, but I've never even entertained the idea of making prints of them until recently. After purchasing a digital camera so that I could take pictures of my son's wedding, I realized that now I can take pictures of my art work, and not only put it on "Art from His Heart" blog, but I can also make prints of the art work available to you and begin selling them on this site.

So if you would like to purchase a print of a picture, please email me at:

releasingthecaptives@sbcglobal.net. You will need to include the following:

Painting name and Img #

Print size (5 x 7, 8 x 10, 8 1/2 x 11). There possibly will be larger sizes available for some prints at a later date.

Glossy or Matte finish

Quantity of prints

Your postal mailing address

US. Prices are as follows: (I'm still working on this!)

5 x 7 prints - $

8 x 10 prints - $

8 1/2 x 11 prints - $

International Prices are as follows: (I'm still working on this!)

5 x 7 prints - $

8 x 10 prints - $

8 1/2 x 11 prints - $

Shipping and handling rates: They will need to be calculated depending on the weight, size, and the location they are being shipped to. I will post the prices here as soon as I get the figures from my friend at Postal Annex.

Payment method: The best way to pay at this time is by International Money Order. Please do not send checks.

I will update this page as soon as I get the necessary information.

God is My Redeemer

2008-01-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

"Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him.
So shall it be! Amen." Revelation 1:7

_________________________________________

Cabin in the Woods

2008-01-20T02:33:00.000-08:00

All Creatures Great & Small

2008-01-20T02:28:00.000-08:00

I did this oil painting many years ago. Just recently the Lord impressed me to make copies of this painting available so that others can be blessed as they see God's heart expressed in the beauty of all His creatures.

He Made them All

2008-01-20T02:15:00.000-08:00

I did this oil painting many years ago. Just recently the Lord impressed me to make copies of it available so that you may be blessed as you see God's creatures living together in harmony.

From His Heart to Yours

2008-01-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

I painted this water color many years ago and just stashed it away because I didn't have anymore room in my house to hang anymore artwork.

Just recently when I retrieved it from its hiding place I was surprised by the depth of the colors of the little blue/mauve for-get-me-not flowers. How insignificant and small they seem, and yet what richness and beauty their presence brings to the larger bouquet.

Then I heard the Spirit speak to my heart... "Nothing in My creation is insignificant no matter how small it is. Because you are made in My image you have significance and purpose and are designed to be a blessing to others. The aroma of Me in your life is like a sweet smelling perfume. You are like a bouquet of freshly picked flowers whose scent fills the whole room. You are my beloved creation, made in My image to fulfill your destiny in Me."

Bow in the Clouds

2008-01-19T23:58:00.000-08:00

During the storms in our lives when we feel like the darkness and disappointments will never come to an end, God brings us hope by reminding us of His promises.

Mountain, "MOVE!"

2008-01-19T03:29:00.000-08:00

This “human mountain” of terrified children that I saw in a dream twelve years ago depicts the “covenant from Mount Sinai that bears children who are to be slaves” (Galatians 4:24). This water color painting will be the cover for my new book, ”Say to this Mountain, MOVE!”

Promise of Peace

2008-01-19T03:01:00.000-08:00

"and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

I painted this watercolor in the Spirit a few weeks before Christmas (Dec. 2007). I pray that its message of hope would bring you encouragement and assurance as you look to Jesus who is our Peace. He fulfilled the work God gave Him to do when He died on the cross for you. Because it is a finished "work" He sent the Holy Spirit to be with you and in you so that you could come to know Him personally, and share His love with others.

Morning Glory

2008-01-19T02:02:00.000-08:00

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1-2).

I painted this picture in oils at a time when I was trying to make sense out of the turmoil of my life. After going through many years of "wandering in the desert" I was hungry and thirsty for the living God to satisfy my unmet needs. He did not disappoint me.

Morning Reflections

2008-01-19T01:22:00.000-08:00

"In the morning O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation" (Psalm 5:3).

Just recently the Lord impressed me to make this oil painting that I did many years ago available so that others can be blessed as they see the beauty of God's heart expressed in His creation.

I did this monochromatic oil painting many years ago when I was going through a very dark and difficult time in my life. The early morning sunlight that is breaking through the mist and is reflected in the pond reminds us that even when things seem hopeless, God is our hope and His mercies are new every morning.

Father's Heart # 2

2008-01-18T02:27:00.000-08:00

Here's another view of the Father's Heart that I painted that expresses how He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He identifies with us in our pain. Indeed, He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. May your heart be healed today as you reach out to be embraced by His.

Father's Heart # 1

2008-01-18T02:09:00.000-08:00

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord... has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted...and provide for those who grieve... a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (Isaiah 61:1-2).

About ten years ago a friend of mine was in a coma for about a week. Before she died the Lord gave me this picture in the Spirit as I prayed for the family to be comforted in their grief. Because of my step-mom's recent death, the Lord brought back this vivid picture that I received at that time of God's heart being broken as He identifies with the deep feelings of our sorrow and grief. The Father's heart is broken for you so that your heart may be healed.

Trumpet at His Lips

2008-01-18T01:49:00.000-08:00

by Hazel

"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first" (1Thess. 4:16).

This is the first water color painting I ever did in the Spirit from a vision I received in 1995 while I was worshipping at a Cleansing Streams Weekend Retreat.

I was compelled by the Spirit to paint it a couple of months ago on the day of my step-mom's funeral (11/26/07) to bring hope and comfort to my dad, and step-sister, and her family after my step-mom died from a stroke, followed by a heart attack while eating a Thanksgiving meal the day before Thanksgiving. Amazingly, painting this brought me out of my own depression over my family's grief and into His sweet presence.

ART FROM HIS HEART

Yours Forever!

Winter Wonderland

Down By the Old Mill Stream

Ordinary Pleasures

A Rich Heritage

Broken for Blessing!

Erasing Dark Shadows

My Place of Sanctuary

Too Busy!

A Burst of Sunshine

Unfinished Business

Beauty for Ashes

The Winter of My Life

Hinds Feet

Sweet Fellowship

Unbroken Fellowship

God's Smile

A Priceless Pearl

In the Palm of His Hand

Such Gentleness

Another Place in Time

Carry Me Forever

Going Through Deep Waters

Peeling Back the Layers

Islands of Power

Broken Pieces of My Life

The Music Maker

Woodland Wonders

Finding My Rest

Legacy Art Classes

YES! THE LION OF JUDAH HAS TRIUMPHED!

The Naked Truth

Are you free to rest in His "good" work?

Fear of Deception

The Lion of Judah has Triumphed!

No More Shame

I Chose You

A Spirit of Lawlessness

A Man of Sorrows

Prisoners of the Law

The Cross

I AM

Look to the Light

Lover & His Beloved

Fruitfulness

The Fish Tank

What is Art from His Heart?

My Secret Place

Reflections of the past

A Priceless Pearl

Tough Times

**ORDERING PRINTS**

God is My Redeemer

Cabin in the Woods

All Creatures Great & Small

He Made them All

From His Heart to Yours

Bow in the Clouds

Mountain, "MOVE!"

Promise of Peace

Morning Glory

Morning Reflections

Father's Heart # 2

Father's Heart # 1

Trumpet at His Lips

ORDERING PRINTS