GCA Art Blog Ministry
Welcome to our GCA Art Blog. Our artists inspire us! We have three categories:
- Fresh Oil Artists: a fellowship team that meets quarterly. Their blogs, though based on mutual themes, are unique and beautiful. They also contribute their art to our annual traveling exhibitions.
- The Great Commission: a blog written by our director, Marianne McDonough. Using various art pieces from our membership, she explores why and how we focus on the Great Commission.
- Exhibition Artists: blogs featuring art and faith statements from some of our traveling exhibitions.
- Art and Poetry: blogs combining art and poetry from contributing writers. In some cases, the art and poetry may be authored by the artist.
We hope our offerings here will brighten your day!
Fresh Oil Artists


Be Exalted
God’s glory comforts us and wraps us in His love. By Charlotte Laxen Helfritz, based on Psalm 108:5 (NLT), Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Medium: Watercolor on Canvas Panel Reflection: God’s glory is beyond imagining. When I see moments of it in a sunrise

Sabbath Rest
The word “rest” resonates with us in all the seasons of our lives. Especially as we grow and mature, we understand how vital rest is to our spiritual well-being as well as our physical health. But what does rest mean to God? By Diane Tobolt, Bible story focus: Creation Medium: Digital Reflection: In Genesis 2,

Isaiah
During a heavenly vision of the glory of God, Isaiah heard God’s call for a messenger and cried out, “Here am I, send me.” How does the glory of God affect us in our own lives? By Barbara Bonnell, based on Isaiah 6:8 (NIV): Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Who should

Gray Hairs
Change is hard. But in the hands of God, every step in every season reveals God’s gentle care for every detail. By Cheryl Barr, based on Isaiah 46:4 (NIV): Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you;

In the Sandals of Boaz
What do we learn about following Jesus from one of His most important ancestors, Boaz, the grandfather of King David? By Debbie Gustafson, based on the Book of Ruth. Reflection: I wanted to step into the sandals of Boaz, the Kinsman Redeemer from the book of Ruth. He focused on living for God, caring about

Joshua
Just as Joshua trusted God to lead him through unknown terrain in the promised land, God keeps His promised towards us and leads us through every path of our lives. By Cheryl Barr, based on the book of Joshua, specifically Joshua 1:9 (AMP): Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be

Abundant Harvest
God’s glory resonates throughout His orderly creation and reflects His infinite intellect , logic, meticulous precision. By Barbara Bonnell, based on Genesis 1:11-12 (NKJV): Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought

Woman with Bouquet in the Setting Sun
Title: “Woman with Bouquet in the Setting Sun.” Artist: Barbara Bonnell. Media: Watercolor/Acrylic. Scripture: Genesis 1:3-5 ASV “And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called

You Are God’s Light
Title: “You Are God’s Light.” Artist: Charlotte Laxen Helfritz. Medium: Watercolor. Source of Inspiration: Heaven and Nature Sing by Sharon Brodin. Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they
Art & Poetry
Exhibit Artists: "The God Who Sees" 2022-2023

Walking in Peace
Artist: Wayne Moran, travel photographer, waynemoreanphotography.com Title: “Walking in Peace” Medium: Photography Scripture: Genesis 16:7-10,13 NIV The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are

How He Sees It
Artist: Megan V.B. Title: “How He Sees It” Southwest Christian High School, Grade 12. Medium: Ink. Scripture: Joshua 1:9 NIV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Faith Statement: There are plenty of

The Aroma of Christ
Artist: Natalie Brick. Missionary, Surf the Nations based in Hawaii. Medium: Acrylic. Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:15 “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” Prayer for the Harvesters: Lord, please watch over those of us who are dedicating our lives to seeking

The Hands of Jesus
Artist: Abby L. Southwest Christian High School, Grade 12. Medium: Pencil. Scripture: Psalm 62:8 NIV Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts for God is our refuge. When I thought about Psalm 62:8 and drew this art, I pictured how God would come to me to give me a big
The Great Commission
Why are we called the Great Commission Artists?
Exhibit Artists: "God Our Refuge" 2021-2022

Unexpected Treasure
Artist: Megan, 11th Grade, Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, MN. Scripture: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV. Megan’s Faith Statement: In April of 2020, I accepted a job

Wings Like Eagles
Artist: Grace, 12th grade, Concordia Academy, Roseville, MN. Medium: Charcoal. Scripture: Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s