Advent 2017

17th December

Matthew 1:20-23

But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).


"The angel says: 'The child conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.' The Spirit of God that brooded over the first creation is again at work, causing something as original as that; introducing into the world the Word by which the world was first created! This is grace beyond all righteousness, the gift of Christmas."
W. Wangerin Jnr, Preparing for Jesus

TFL!

Bernie x

With grateful thanks to Gabriel Olude, International Photographer, for the Muse.

Advent 2017

9th December 2017

Luke 1:34-37

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.”

"She says, "This is the way of all flesh."


And Gabriel answers, "But you are about to see the ways of God."


Mary says, "No baby was ever conceived without a man as father."


And Gabriel answers, "This baby's father shall be no man, his father shall be God."


Mary says, "In every child the characteristics of both parents are manifest together."


And Gabriel agrees: "Yes, Jesus will be flesh like you - and like God he will be holy, truly the Son of God."

Preparing for Jesus, W. Wangerin Jnr.

TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2017 - 18th March

Saturday 18th March
One of my readings for today was Revelation 3:20-22: Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they will eat with me.

Originally I had the idea of a person in despair sitting at a table laid with food, just waiting. But that didn't come together! The image of the lady sitting in her window, head down, hugging her knees, as if distraught really called to me! So I went with that.

Somehow a male God just didn't have the right feel for this piece, so I went with 'controversial' and opted for the female God (perhaps a subconscious nod to the international call for women priests in the Roman Catholic Church!?!). Whatever, we are all made in the likeness of God, even women lol, so it is what it is :)

So, She is waiting 'outside' for the door to be opened, and the young woman is gently touched by the light (and colour) of the Holy Spirit - she will open that door!
I tried giving the piece a more painterly feel, which I liked, but I preferred the somewhat harder feel to the piece, for its theme. I also LOVE this in b&w but wanted to use the colour to represent the Spirit and God's touch upon us in all circumstances, no matter our failings. We have only to look up and we will see Him.
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - Week 21 - 20th May - I Am A New Creation

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - Week 21 - 20th May - I Am A New Creation

Well, I think I should take a break from my digital art more often lol! I've finished one incomplete piece today and produced two new pieces! I love this one! Had no idea it would come out like this!

I create the digital image first, and then digitally paint it. This is very different from the digital piece I first created, and honestly, I like both pieces, but wanted to try and keep to digitally painting my "official" pieces.

I wanted to continue the theme of a silhouetted figure but add in the feel of the Holy Spirit and regeneration. A new creation, filled with the Spirit, soaring! Hopefully I've achieved that with this piece!

I'm actually so pleased with this piece, lol I kept zooming out to look at the overall image as I was creating, as I just couldn't believe what was appearing lol!! I feel like a little kid again I'm so excited!!

Thanks so much for the inspiration!
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - Week 18 - 29th April - I Am in Christ

TMD 2016 - DNA - Week 18 - 29th April - I Am in Christ
For some reason I really struggled with the vine imagery! No idea why! Then my 91 year old Dad became ill and was rushed into hospital and so this piece was never finished, until today!

There wasn't any real thinking behind this piece...my only thoughts were the vine, without fruit - yet! - but it's a new vine, just growing towards the light. Asking the Holy Spirit to abide within.
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper 2016 - DNA - Week 10 - 4th March

TMD 2016 - DNA - Week 10 - 4th March - I Am Alive in the Spirit

I read the suggested passages for going deeper, Acts 4:23-31, and of it all, the final words really struck a chord with me..."After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness."

I really wanted to portray the feeling of the Holy Spirit not simply 'coming upon' someone, but living within them, working within them, and the feeling of power, as talked about in the devotional, that would bring.

I almost felt scared to start this piece..no idea why! Almost a blocked feeling but I pushed on through and it came together quite quickly! Then I had to leave it. I had finished everything bar the digital painting. I was so tempted to leave it as it was, lol, but decided to have a go at painting it, expecting it to be hard and take an absolute age. But it actually was done pretty quickly and easily! Yay!!
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 22 - 2nd March

Day 22 - 2nd March
"Jesus offers us another way, a humble way that waits patiently – despite the suffering – for the Spirit of God to direct our steps"
TFL!
Bernie x

Lent 2016 - Day 10

Lent Day 10

I was amazed creating this as I had under an hour and didn't expect to get finished at all...but basically, apart from a couple of minor adjustments, the piece was finished in that time! So I got where I needed to be on time too! yay!
Bit late uploading due to other commitments yesterday, but woke earlier than usual feeling refreshed today so I can upload this before starting today's piece!
TFL!
Bernie x

Take Me Deeper - September Week 4

Well, this piece was so much fun to create! It feels as if it almost created itself, other than one sticky moment with the water when I almost gave up and started again! Love how it turned out and the little 'story' that appeared - it's an encouragement for me at this moment with all the 'darkness' that's around in our Parish Church.

September Week 4 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit

I think there's something about Isaiah that just speaks to me - it's as if an invisible hand has reached in and grabbed hold of my heart! So I almost had no choice about what to work with when I wrote out the words of Isaiah 43:2 - 

"Do not be afraid - I will save you. 
I have called you by name - you are mine.
When you pass through deep waters I will be with you;
your troubles will not overwhelm you."

That second line - wow! I knew straight away that I wanted the water in the image. I again used the same 5 textures that I've used all month, rearranging them in layer order, opacity and blend mode. I loved the shapes that appeared in front of my eyes with this last combination and which, once the water was in place, suggested the shapes of mountains covered in bushes and trees! So I enhanced the trees idea with some brushwork, and tried to give the appearance of darkness closer to the water. 

The lady is, of course, one of the HKC Digital images  (I've loved finding this subtle new away of working with them this month!). She has passed through the deep waters, the darkness at the water's edge representing her troubles. They have not overwhelmed her though as she has continued on her journey and reached the top of the mountain, when she worships and is bathed in light to represent blessings from God, and perhaps also being chosen. 

This 'story' of the picture didn't come to mind until I spotted it myself when the piece was finished! It wasn't a conscious story I built into the piece! Love it when that happens, and looking at this such an encouragement for me at this time!
TFL!

Bernie x