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
Earthen Vessels
Artist: Cheryl Barr. Medium: Watercolor. Scripture: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 NLT. Source of Inspiration: Amazing Grace by Kenneth
This Is My Father’s World
Artist: Debbie Gustafson. Medium: Watercolor, Colored Pencil, Marker Pen. Scripture: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the
Love for Jesus
Artist: Barbara Bonnell. Media: Watercolor. Scripture: “We love him, because he first loved us.” I John 4:19 KJV Source of Inspiration: Amazing Grace by Kenneth W. Osbeck/Hymn: “O How I Love Jesus” Reflect: Painting this picture reminded me of a woman in my family history whose husband died, leaving her with young children (one, still
Grace Abounding
Artist: John Bennett. Medium: Oil on 16 X 20” Canvas. Scripture: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” KJV 2 Corinthians 9: 8. Source of Inspiration: Amazing Grace by Kenneth W. Osbeck/Hymn: “Amazing Grace” Reflect: I
Invitation to the Dance
Artist: Diane Tobolt. Medium: Digital. Scripture: “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight is in Her,
Through the Cross
Artist: Debbie Gustafson. Medium: Watercolor and Watercolor Pencil. Scripture: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself
Peace in the Heart
Artist: Barbara Bonnell. Medium: Watercolor. Scripture: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 KJV. Source of Inspiration: Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons. Reflect: This painting depicts friends buying flowers. It
Rest & Reset
Artist: Cheryl Barr. Medium: Watercolor. Scripture: “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” Psalm 62:5 NLT. “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 NLT Source of
Abandoned But Not Deserted
Artist: Charlotte Laxen Helfritz. Medium: Watercolor pencil and permanent marker. Scripture: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 NIV. Source of Inspiration: When We Pray Like Jesus by Elisa Morgan. Reflect:
Art & Poetry
“Wander into the Wonder”
Art and Poetry by Kris Newlin. She wandered into the Wonder. She followed close to the man who makes miracles. She stepped out in faith because she knew He holds the world. She knew He heals the world. She looked for her Father’s face in everything. She believed in beauty; she saw it in everything
“Still”
Art by Rachel L. (Concordia High School); Poem “Remember My Words” by Liz Kimmel. Remember! When the going is rough and resistance is tough, Be Strong! Endure through your trials, and search for the smiles, Take Courage! When your heart is alarmed and you’re facing great harm, Don’t Fear! When you cannot find hope and
“Master Potter”
Art “Master Potter” by Shannon Wirrenga, Poem “Untitled” by Gail Lipe. a musty, earthy smell escapes its plastic prison as I open a newas I open a new block of claycalming me, connecting me to the earthtaking me home a slab is cutfingers curl the slab as hands beginto wedge the clay like playing in
Peace and a Promise
Art by Susanne Redfield, Poem “Principles of Peace” by Liz Kimmel. Peace is a product of God’s design. It didn’t just happen without the divine. It’s not an accident or a mistake – He gave it to us to heal every ache. Peace comes to our hearts by knowing God’s Son. It’s a wonderful gift
“Trees of the Field”
Art “Trees of the Field” by Sandy Tuzinski and Poem “Psalm 1” by Liz Kimmel. Who should we listen to? The godly and wise. How should we walk? With wide open eyes. What should delight us? The Word of the Lord. To think on it day and night brings great reward. This is the way that we prosper
“Watching God’s Active Presence”
Art by Barbara Nelson; Poem “Always There” by Kris Newlin. In all my wanderings, In all my doubts, In all the times I spent figuring it out. You met me with Love, You showed me Your Grace You filled me with wonder as I turned to Your face. In all the times I strayed from
Exhibit Artists: "The God Who Sees" 2022-2023
The Great Commission
Why are we called the Great Commission Artists?