Behind the Art: New Creation/Living Waters

I went back to school while I was pregnant with my son. It feels crazy typing that because I think to myself "you KNEW you were pregnant—it wasn't a surprise—and still chose this wild ride on top of the wild ride that is pregnancy." Thankfully it was initially all online, but I definitely gave birth while I had projects and assignments due which is such a hilarious thought to me.

All I can say is that was totally God, because if I had known how wild it would be I might've waited or let it go all together. School was a challenge, yet it was so rewarding, especially because I didn't finish the first time around when I was fresh out of high school. One of the most rewarding parts of it: accidentally finding out that God called me to be an artist. Again, it's so strange to say because now that I'm doing it, it's hard to remember how this wasn't always part of my life. But yes, I only found out about 3 years ago that a major part of my calling from God is to be an artist. Before that, I dabbled, but I never really painted much of anything other than the occasional non alcoholic painting with a twist type of date night (or girls night). I also had a season of learning digital art on Procreate, but I still felt like my skills were lacking and I treated it as an infrequent hobby.

I specifically found out about my calling shortly after I posted a painting of Jesus from Revelation 14:14 on Facebook (photo below) that I did as an assignment for my Painting I class—a class which I signed up for on a whim because I thought it would just be fun to learn how to paint. It didn't cross my mind that it would be one of the primary things I'd end up doing in business, and a way through which God would use me to minister to others.

Painting of Jesus as described in Revelation 14:14

Yet here I am, working on my first art collection (technically a mini collection), and it has been such a beautiful journey. I have officially completed the first piece in my collection (I'll reveal the name of the collection later 🤭), but this particular piece is called New Creation/Living Waters. The first version of this painting came from a class assignment as well. The task was to create something that depicted a transformation process (think caterpillar turning into butterfly, etc.). My goal in school was always to represent God in the best way that I could, so I took advantage of interpreting any assignment possible through the lens of "how can I expose people to Jesus?" The Lord gave me the vision, and I did my best to execute. I was juggling so much what with finishing school, pumping to make sure I kept producing milk for my newborn son while I was away, driving long distances, surviving sleep deprivation, all while my husband worked odd hours to support me as I finished. So I never finished the original assignment (my teacher was gracious enough that they prioritized effort over completion) and it just sat in my closet. Then the Lord brought me back to it and with His help and support from my family and friends I started fresh and brought the full idea to life.

“New Creation/Living Waters” Oil on Canvas - 24 × 30

Spiritual Meaning

With every painting the Lord gives me comes a prophetic meaning attached. This is what He spoke to me concerning New Creation/Living Waters:

This painting represents the process that we go through both when we first give our lives to Christ, and even in cycles throughout the rest of our lives.

Overall Scripture: The Bible says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The Heart Transformation: The heart transforming from stone into flesh as the blood of Jesus drips down references Ezekiel 36:26, where the Lord tells Ezekiel to speak this word over Israel (which we also benefit from as coheirs who have been grafted in): "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

The River of Living Water: The river flowing from the tomb of the resurrected Christ and causing new growth where there was once a cracked desert land references several scriptures:

• John 7:38, where Jesus says, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water"

• Romans 6:4, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life"

• Isaiah 43:19, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

When we make the decision to surrender our lives to the Lord, it initiates a spiritual and supernatural transformation within us. Where there was once hardness in our hearts from feeling broken, bitter, angry, depressed, etc., the Lord comes in and brings healing and softens our hearts into hearts of flesh, full of His love.

Where we were once empty and void, Jesus' death and resurrection has given us access to be filled with rivers of living water—abundant life and complete fulfillment as we now get to dwell in His presence. Dry and seemingly dead or too far gone areas of our life are revived and renewed. This is not only at the beginning of our walk with the Lord but as we continually walk with Him, we get to experience this continual process of transformation, healing, and redemption, becoming more and more like who God always created us to be.

My prayer is that as the Lord leads me to create, that it would not just be about aesthetics or for the sake of expressing my creativity. May all those who even get to see this artwork experience encounters with Him, whether it ends up on their walls or not. This goes beyond wanting to make beautiful art that has a nice message—my heart and declaration is that lives would be touched and transformed and come to know Jesus in a greater way.

If you would like to stay updated on when this painting, the rest of the collection, and art prints will be available, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter, where I will send out updates, ahead of when it is announced on social media and other platforms.