Pursue LOVE!

By Hazel Holland

After creating this impressionistic watercolor of beautiful plants from a larger painting of mine, I feel like these vivid colors are speaking to our hearts about the importance of faith, hope, and love.  They remind us that 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that the greatest of these fruits of the Spirit is love!  So pursue LOVE!♥

To see a larger copy of this painting or purchase a print, please click here.

Life in His Name

By Hazel Holland

As I began reading chapter 20 of the book of John the other morning, the Spirit began to minister to my heart in a marvelous way.  I was feeling physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the responsibilities of life.  I felt like I had no energy left to face another day.  I needed my Spirit to be restored.  I needed new life to be pumped into my veins...

All of a sudden Jesus began speaking to my heart through the Spirit as I read John 20...  "You may cling to me now My child, because I have already ascended to My Father and your Father.  I have already ascended to My God and Your God.  I give you My peace, My child! As the Father sent Me, I am also sending you... 

"You've already received the Holy Spirit...  So don't be unbelieving, because you feel drained and tired, but believe!  I am speaking these words to you now so that you may believe that I am the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in My name!"

My face was bathed in sweet tears of relief as I felt the overwhelming presence of God envelop me like a warm blanket.  Suddenly I remembered this impressionistic watercolor painting of a bird I had created recently, and it seemed to be the perfect picture to describe how His resurrection life began to pump through my tired veins bringing joy and anticipation!  I could face this new day because I have life in His name!♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.

A Floral Rainbow

By Hazel Holland
 

I painted this impressionistic watercolor of rainbow colored flowers to remind us that God's promises to us in the gospel are certain and will never fail.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.

He is Risen

By Hazel Holland

This painting was my first attempt at using oil pastels. The colors do not blend quite as well as the soft pastels that I am use to using, but thankfully they are a lot cleaner to work with. 

Since Easter will be here in a few weeks I wanted to start painting some pictures that will draw attention to the One who is the Resurrection and the Life!

"Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Because of His great mercy He gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death" 1 Peter 1:3.

Have a blessed Easter.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting, or purchase a print, please click here.

Winter Beauty

By Hazel Holland

I recently finished painted this lovely winter scene for another one of my art classes.  Since my elderly students were not keen on using watercolor paint, I wanted to see if I could give them an alternate method  in which to create beautiful pictures that were suitable for greeting cards.

So I created this warm and delightful setting as the sun was going down at the end of a cold and snowy winter day by using water soluble wax pastels and watercolor pencils instead of regular watercolor paint.

Winter scenes like this remind me of growing up in England... except for the fact that my robins are enjoying the last rays of the setting sun from from a fir instead of a holly bush.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting or purchase a print click here.

A Beacon of Hope

By Hazel Holand

I painted this realistic watercolor of a lighthouse to demonstrate to the students in my art class how to create a mood painting by the use of light and color. 

However, this painting is more than a just a mood painting.  The light from the lighthouse is but a glimmer of light compared to the light that is illuminating the threatening rocks...

Perhaps as Christ followers that is how our light is supposed to shine...  His Presence in us reveals the contrasting darkness that is in the world around us.  His Presence in us becomes a beacon of hope... pointing the way to the Father of Light.♥

To see a larger copy of this painting or purchase an art print, please click here.

Love Burns Brightly

By Hazel Holland

 I created this impressionistic watercolor from a larger watercolor of mine by altering the size and changing the colors of the painting.  The rainbow colors in this scene of swaying ocean plants are a visual reminder that many waters cannot quench the flame of love that exists in the heart of God for each one of His children.  His love burns brightly, and nothing in heaven or earth can extinguish the flame of His love that is as strong as death (Song of Solomon 8:6-7).♥

To see a larger copy of this art print or purchase a copy of it, please click here.