Why I Paint About People's Stories

Jesus is such a personal, intentional, and loving God. He is so personal that He created you -- with all your beauty, quirks, gifts, and desires. Yet oftentimes, we forget this. We move through life at the speed of a train, mindlessly blowing through our routine, forgetting a Divine Author waits with pen in hand to continue writing a story so beautiful Shakespeare would be jealous. But do you believe such a story is possible, or rather, even already exists for you?

Imagine yourself standing in a scene of the world's most gorgeous natural wonders. Perhaps in this scene you stand on top of a mountain, a star-studded sky opens above you, and the ocean sparkles below you. You take a deep breath in, letting the beauty leave its mark upon you. Then you receive a glimpse of our heavenly Father's gaze upon you and realize you are even more beautiful than all the sights before you.

So to answer this article's title, I paint about people's stories because they (you) are important. You have a purpose in this world and are loved deeply to your core. Your existence is proof of that love. Psalm 139* says:

"For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb. ... Thou

knowest me right well; my frame was not hidden from thee, when I was being made in secret,

intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. Thy eyes beheld my unformed substance; in thy

book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was

none of them."

Psalm 139:13-16

Your story matters. Your story is beautiful. Your story has more to come. What is the next chapter?

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You can view some of my art on Etsy at this link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGalileeInitiative?ref=shop_sugg

You can also view my art in person at The General's Market in Charlestown, RI Sundays from 10 - 3 until the end of September.

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* Please forgive the ancient language of my RSV translation Bible. I know it's not the popular translation of this quote, but it still has the same meaning. And I'm a little partial to ancient translations. :)