Monday, October 28, 2013

Stormy Seas

By Hazel Holland


This is an impressionistic/abstract that I created using soft pastels as I remembered how we all go through storms in our lives of one kind or another...

When it seems like the storm will never end, and you feel weak and helpless and full of fear, remember how Jesus came walking on the water... stepping through the whitecaps towards the terrified disciples as if the angry waves were mere asphalt?  Can you hear His welcome voice as it thundered with power and authority in the midst of that storm?

"It is I... don't be afraid!

Just as He calmed the sea that stormy night long ago and brought the disciples safely to the shore, so He comes striding across the turbulent sea of your life.  With a voice more powerful than any wind of adversity, He says to you right now:

"I AM with you!  Don't be afraid!  Let Me step into the restless sea of your anxious thoughts and emotions and quiet your spirit with My love.  Let Me hold you as I sing over you. Let Me lead you as we dance over the whitecaps on this turbulent sea of life together.  Let Me bring you safely to shore." ♥

To see a larger copy of this artwork click here.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Together Forever

By Hazel Holland
 

I created this impressionistic piece of artwork from a larger watercolor painting of mine that I did earlier.  I altered one of the shamrock-shaped flowers and changed the color, texture, and background of the painting to create this striking image.

While I was creating this "shamrock" I found myself sensing that God wanted to speak to our hearts through this beautiful imagery.  The three hearts joined together as one is a symbol of the trinity...Father, Son, and Spirit who created us in His image... body soul and spirit.  He created us and knit our hearts together in love so that we might be one with Him... and with one another... our hearts knit together forever in love.♥


To see a larger copy of this art print click here.

Friday, October 25, 2013

A Beautiful Exchange

By Hazel Holland


This is a variation of a pastel of mine that I did a few years ago where I've altered the colors in order to give this new painting a beautiful, warm and rosy glow. 

As I look at it now I'm reminded that Jesus continues to give us beauty for the ashes in our lives today.  He gives us sight when we are spiritually blind, and brings us freedom when we are oppressed by guilt. 

He reminds us that the basis of our acceptance with Him will always be His finished work that took place outside of us on the cross.  May your heart experience this beautiful exchange today.♥

To see a larger copy of this art work click here.

Sunset in the Mountains

By Hazel Holland


This is an impressionistic watercolor that I created from a larger watercolor painting of mine because I wanted to focus on the beauty of the setting sun and the stunning colors it creates in the sky before it goes down behind the mountains and evergreen trees.

I hope this painting will bring back many priceless memories of gorgeous sunsets that you've witnessed over the years.  I also hope it will remind you of the love that is in the heart of the One who is the Creator of such fiery beauty.♥

To see a larger copy of this art print click here.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Light Dispels Darkness

By Hazel Holland


I felt led today to create this impressionistic watercolor for the express purpose of sharing a visual image of how light dispels darkness.  The beautiful faces of these irises only seem to glow and shine brighter because of the darkness behind them.  It's the same way in the spiritual realm.

Jesus told us that we would experience trials and tribulations of many kinds, and that His kingdom of Light would co-exist with the kingdom of darkness, but the darkness would not overcome it.  Instead, His kingdom of love would spread to the uttermost parts of the earth... in spite of the many stumbling blocks that would seek to overthrow and destroy it.

So even when darkness at times appears inside the church as well-meaning Christians seek affirmation for the righteousness of their own ways instead of His way, our lives must continue to be a testimony of God's grace and forgiveness as we remember that light will ultimately dispel all darkness.  The aroma of grace will always overcome the darkness around it because darkness cannot remain in the presence of Light.♥

To see a larger copy of this artwork click here.

Growing Together in Love

By Hazel Holland
 

I painted this impressionistic watercolor to remind myself of how close together flowers sometimes grow in many English gardens.  They often seem to be planted in such close proximity to one another that they present themselves as a beautiful bouquet to be admired and enjoyed by all who pass by.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if more people could live and grow together in love and peace and harmony like beautiful flowers in an English garden.  Yes, we are all beautiful flowers in God's garden that have been planted for the display of His splendor!♥

To see a larger copy of this artwork click here.

Basking in the Light

By Hazel Holland
 

As I painted these impressionistic flowers I wanted their beauty to be seen as they basked in the sunlight.  It's kind of the same with us you know... Only as we bask in the Son-light is the beauty inside of us revealed by His presence.♥

To see a larger copy of this artwork click here.

Monday, October 14, 2013

The Promised One 2

By Hazel Holland


This is a variation of the impressionistic watercolor that I painted a few weeks before Christmas 2007.  With Christmas just around the corner, I thought that this painting would make a nice print for a Christmas card.  

Yes, the Promised One came to this earth as a tiny baby over two thousand years ago.  "And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

He fulfilled the work God gave Him to do when He died on the cross for your sins.  Then He sent the Holy Spirit to be with you and in you forever so that you could come to know Him personally, and share His amazing love and grace with others.

If you are interested in purchasing this Christmas card you may click here to see the price of individual cards or cards that come in packs of 10 or 25.  I pray that its message of hope will bring encouragement and assurance to your heart today as you look to Jesus who is your Peace.♥

To see a larger copy of this art print click here.

The Promised One

By Hazel Holland


Originally I painted this impressionistic watercolor a few weeks before Christmas 2007 and made Christmas card prints of it to give to friends. With Christmas just around the corner, I thought that this card would make a nice gift for a friend.  

If you are interested you may click here to see the price of individual cards or cards that come in packs of 10 or 25.  I pray that its message of hope will bring encouragement and assurance to your heart today as you look to Jesus who is your Peace. 

Yes, the Promised One came to this earth as a tiny baby over two thousand years ago.  "And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

He fulfilled the work God gave Him to do when He died on the cross for your sins.  Then He sent the Holy Spirit to be with you and in you forever so that you could come to know Him personally, and share His amazing love and grace with others.♥

To see a larger copy of this art print click here.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Feeling Blue

By Hazel Holland


I took the watercolor "Life Beyond the Shadows" and altered it to create "Feeling Blue".  This abstract watercolor depicts the many varied feelings I experience at times when I'm feeling blue.  I'm sure you also  have a similar range of feelings that go from the lightest to the darkest blues, and perhaps even black at times... 

But interwoven in these shades of blue are lighter shades of purple and pink, because I'm never without hope even in the darkest moments of my life.  The shades of pink remind me that when I'm having a hard time and feeling down, God is always with me. I'm never without hope even when the blues turn to the darkest black because I know the One who is my Hope.♥

To see a larger copy of this artwork, please click here.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Removing the Veil

By Hazel Holland


This impressionistic watercolor speaks of removing the veil that is still over many of our eyes.  Although the shadows of old covenant images were replaced by the glory of new covenant promises when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, many of us still continue to set up camp under the old order of things. Although the cloud has moved on our eyes remain veiled... 

Understanding the meaning and significance of Jesus' death for us where His body (the veil) was rent in two brings us great freedom in the Spirit.  Now we have immediate entrance into the very presence of God because Jesus has given us access through His most precious blood.  

There's no veil between us anymore because the Sacrifice has already been made.  The old covenant shadows have been replaced by the new covenant reality of His life-giving Spirit.♥

Life Beyond the Shadows

By Hazel Holland


Originally this impressionistic watercolor was called "A Broken Heart".  It focused on how Jesus was willing to taste death for each one of us so that our hearts may be healed. Then I altered it to create another version of the painting because I wanted to encourage those who were going through the loss of a loved one.
  
Beyond the shadows of the grave there's a new Day dawning where all the sorrows and cares of this life will flee away... for they will be swallowed up in victory... the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ!  

A new Day and a new Creation is coming where heartache will cease and there will be joy unspeakable as we live forevermore in the presence of the One who created us to to be with Him for all eternity.♥

A Broken Heart

By Hazel Holland


While I was painting this impressionistic watercolor I was reminded that when the Roman soldier thrust the spear into Jesus' side, blood and water poured forth... 

It's evident to me that when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, He died of a broken heart.  Praise God that He was willing to taste death for each one of us so that our hearts may be healed.♥