Original "Do you see me El Roi?" 16x20" acrylic and mixed medium on canvas panel.

TAPESTRY:

"tapestry" refers to any complex combination of different things, people or ideas.

The Idea for this painting series came from wanting to capture the multitudes of things going on in my life and the world around me. Each one of these five paintings are completely unique in style capturing a different snapshot into life. The only thing that ties them together is the subtle use of gold lines. These gold lines are to be a symbol of God being ever present. His hand is traceable and woven into our very lives.

I hope as you read and discover the meaning behind each painting that you too will be able to reflect and see the traceable hand of God in your life. These five pieces of work will be available for purchase soon.

Please enjoy the journey through "Tapestry".

Original "Woven In" 16x20" acrylic on canvas panel.

WOVEN IN was inspired by the time in my life when I was making the move from Langley B.C to the big city of Vancouver. I had recently quit my job in faith that I was going to find a place to live there, despite not having a job or any housing options. I believed firmly in what I had felt was my next move. In that time I spent a lot of time in prayer. During that prayer time I heard God say "I am going to knit you into community" when I was asking him about future friendships. Not long after that I ended up working on a short film, where both the director and multiple of the background performers attended the same church in Vancouver. They invited me as I was moving to the city the following week. That following Sunday I attended the church where a group of people who weren't the ones I met prior invited me to lunch. Everyone kept saying "It feels like you fit in so seamlessly". That day I knew I had walked into an answered promise. God knit me into that community and it is still the church I attend today. I hope you have your own stories of being woven in or invited to lunch and if you haven't found your place. Know that the traceable hand of God is in your life too and the forever friends or community you wish for could be one encounter away.

Original "Bloom Again" 16x20" acrylic on canvas panel.

BLOOM AGAIN is a transition piece. When you're at the turning point of a new chapter and a new season in your life is beginning to bloom. I painted this one just before a trip to New York City. I had this great sense that there was something awaiting me on that trip that would be bring me into something new. After a long season of burn out I was finally at a place where new didn't sound extremely daunting but rather exciting and fresh. I almost couldn't wait to experience it tangibly. What I never imagined was what I'd return with. I brought back a confidence and drive to pursue sharing my art with the world in a way I didn't have before. Its effects is this very website you find yourself on. I am eager to see how this blooming and unfolding will continue to take place. I hope that as you look upon this piece you allow the excitement of blooming again or adventuring into something new to flow into your life. You never know what beauty God might have in store, it could be a whole garden.

Original "Pilgrimage" 16x20" acrylic on canvas panel.

PILGRIMAGE "a journey to a holy or scared place for a religious or spiritual purpose". In the painting of this piece I wanted to capture the essence of the life of wanderers and missionaries. Those who don't call a particular place home and those who feel home is many places on this vast and beautiful planet. I believe we are all created wanderers and pilgrims. In each one of us there is a desire to journey, to go or discover that which is sacred and holy. There is an organization called Circuit Riders who tour across America and the world sharing the gospel on university campuses with what they call the "carry the love" tour and the slogan they have is "to the ends of the earth for love". That is what this painting represents. To the ends of the earth to know our creator and to share his love along the way. I hope that this painting as it depicts the vastness of a wandering soul and the traceable hand of God, that you would feel seen in your wandering. In your feeling not yet home, or home all over. The beauty of God is he isn't resigned to one place, but that he moves with us on each of our journeys.

Original "Do you see me El Roi?" 16x20 acrylic and mixed medium on canvas panel.

DO YOU SEE ME EL ROI? This piece was inspired by suffering and how it feels when it seems hidden from the view of those around you. Painted during Domestic Violence Awareness month I wanted to capture the unseen wounds. Those that come where there is no bruise, yet there are fractures in the heart, mind and soul. Depicted is a persons community, they watch and see, yet they have no idea of the true and internal suffering of the person above. But even despite their internal chaos and unseen feelings, El Roi "the God who see's me" is present. He see's and is ever present. Painting this painting moved me personally, not just from my own experience of suffering in silence, but it has inspired my next painting series. I hope that when you see this painting that whatever your own experiences are with suffering you would be comforted by the fact that El Roi, the God who sees you is ever present with you. May this be an encouragement from one long suffering person to another, the darkness doesn't win and there is hope on the other end. 

 

Original "Awake" acrylic 16x20" painting on canvas panel.

AWAKE was created right after the horrific death of a public figure. His death divided many. Some celebrated the death, others mourned. I wasn't sure what to do with my emotions, as they tussled inside of me. so, I sat, restless and then I painted. My heart behind "Awake" was to capture the positive ripple effect I saw in the wake of the incident. The Christian church awaking and arising to stand more boldly in their faith. It felt as if the giant that was sleeping woke up. The younger generation is hungry for Jesus. The old are shaking the dust off their bibles. The faint pulse of the church has spiked. Something has shifted. They are coming back to life. They are becoming awake. I hope that this painting is a bolt of inspiration to stand for what you believe in and to walk in kind and tender boldness as you share it. If you know or love Jesus or not, he is awaiting you, he wants to know you, to pull you from the darkness and give you a life you could never imagine. Vibrant and beautiful. 

 

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

Painting each one of these felt like a snapshot into my life and my faith in its various forms. I hope you enjoyed reading my heart behind each one. I know it's important for the artist to share their story and vision, but I hope more than anything that you remember what it meant to you and how it made you feel. Art isn't just for the artist, but for the receiver and watcher too. These pieces as mentioned before will be available for purchase soon. So, if there's a piece that pulled on your heart strings and you'd like to add it to your home sign up for my email newsletter. I'll be sending one out before their release. 

Until next time,
- Nat