Standing in the Gap

My journey with each of my paintings is a struggle, it does not come naturally.  I do not have the end result already completed in my head.  I have an idea of a image, a word, then I search for the particular image combining maybe 2 or 3 images.  Not like I have lions,elephants in my back yard.  As I work with acrylic trying colours, using different textures, I see where it takes me, sometimes surprises me and then I do not want to change that particular area, like it is almost done.  And then there are some areas, no matter how hard I try, I cannot make it work, the colours are wrong the go muddy and the pictures loose it vitality, its meaning.  Pretty much like life. There are some areas, no matter how hard you try you struggle with it, and only through divine intervention, through repentance and relying only on grace are you able to work passed it.  Acrylic is so workable, you are able to rub the paint off with water, or use white or grey and start again. This painted I gave to my pastor to hang in his office.

This painting is called "Standing in the Gap".  

This painting  is about the increase of poaching on  elephants and rhinos.  Just saw on facebook that someone posted 11 elephants slaughtered.

We must stand in the gap for these elephants and rhinos but our Saviour Jesus Christ  the Lion of Judah stood in the gap on the cross for all of us so that we may have eternity with the Father.

I painted over another painting so used its frame

My progress

Whilst painting this  I was watching my favourite animal channel and watched a awesome program about Elephants in Knysna (Elephant Knysna Park)  and the interaction with these tame animals.   They have created a free-range controlled environment, which means that the elephants get to walk and browse in the fields as they would do in the wild, however they do need handlers and guides with them constantly as they are living amongst and interacting with humans every day. Your experience of the elephants is therefore as natural as possible -  never ask elephants to perform tricks or behave in a manner that is not natural to them.   Here is an newsletter that better explains their methods.  http://www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za/newsletters.html

 Another program I watched was the Cheetah Outreach in the Cape.  I am so "chowing at the bit" to paint some cheetahs. http://www.cheetah.co.za/  They have a awesome motto "see it, sense it, save it", almost what we artist try and do.

My Faith Journal

Here are some more examples of just "playing" with techniques, bearing in mind each page just happens there is no end result.  I hope my journal will be an inspiration to others to explore, to journey, to find healing, to enjoy.

"Healing Through The Arts can show you that life can be more, or in some way, better than before. True healing is not waiting for time to heal. It is creating opportunities where healing takes place, and the process of mending can make us stronger.

Through Art we gain a sense of life’s meaning. When we create art, we make something that did not exist before and can preserve it to enjoy. Our interaction with art provides a break from the pace of routine, where we can notice be unique. You do not need to be creative to participate, only a desire to learn and enjoy the adventure.” quote found at http://www.htta.org/about-us/art-healing

Journal Cover