GCA Art Blog Ministry
Welcome to our GCA Art Blog. Our artists inspire us! We have four 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
Waiting for the Cousins
If we think about it, we spend a lot of time in our life “waiting.” We often need to wait when we would rather not and sometimes are impatient and annoyed as a result, but waiting helps develop patience, which is needful to live a well-balanced life. By Barbara Bonnell, Fresh Oil Artist. Medium: Watercolor. Scripture: Galatians
Ordinary Things
Every time I feel “stuck” in old patterns of life, God teaches me new ways to see things and draw closer to Him. As I look afresh at the ordinaries of life, He shows me more and more how much He loves me individually. By Charlotte Laxen Helfritz, Fresh Oil Artist Medium: Watercolor on Paper.
Peony
A plant that came from my grandmother’s farm taught me something new about God’s love. But I needed to take time to see and appreciate it first. By Diane Tobolt, Fresh Oil Artist. Medium: Digital. Scripture: Luke 12:27-28 (NKJV) “Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even
Three Wonders
In spring, even though I anticipate birds building and filling their nests with eggs, I still sense wonder and awe when I see the babies for the first time. I love to watch perfect, tiny beeks appear over the nest’s edge, followed by little heads as small wing flutterings mimic that of their parents. By
Family Walk
What did Jesus mean when He said “have life to the full?” “Life to the full” may bring many different thoughts to each us. And is a full life even possible, considering all the obstacles we experience? By Barbara Bonnell, Fresh Oil Artist. Art Medium: Watercolor and Acrylic. Scripture: John 10:10 (NIV) “…I (Jesus) have come that they have life,
The Veil
For hundreds of years no one had access to the Glory of God except the High Priest of Israel who entered the Holy of Holies with trepidation once a year. A three-inch thick veil stood between him and the Holy of Holies. This symbolized the huge chasm between God and all of humankind, not just Israel.
Living in the Presence
We humans tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves, thinking we’re never enough and that God expects us to be better, or wiser, more giving, or fruitful. But we can change how we think and be changed by how God teaches us to think. By Diane Tobolt, Fresh Oil Artist. Medium: Digital. Scripture:
Sifting
A woman in India sifted rice. For her it was an ordinary day, but for me, it was a lesson about glorifying God. By Cheryl Barr, Fresh Oil Artist. Media: Watercolor on Arches paper. Scripture: Based on 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for
Peter’s Release
As a disciple, Peter faltered on occasion, but, as the leader of the early church, he glorified Jesus mightily and exemplified strength and courage. By Barbara Bonnell, Fresh Oil Artist Media: Mixed Scripture: Based on the disciple Peter’s release from prison, as described in Acts 12:6,7 (NIV) “The night before Herod was to bring him
Art & Poetry
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 Watching God’s Active Presence 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
Exhibit Artists: "The God Who Sees" 2022-2023
Never Alone
God not only sees us, but He also walks with us, comforts us, and sticks next to us in all things. God’s presence is enough to satisfy us, because He does not leave us alone. By Madeleine L., Independent Student Artist, Grade 11. Media: Mixed. Scripture: Psalm 17:15 (NIV), “As for me, I will be
Surface Tension
Just as Jesus pulled Peter out of stormy waters, so does God pull us out when we feel like we’re drowning in our struggles. By Hannah F., Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, MN, Grade 11. Medium: Pencil. Scripture: Matthew 14:28 (ESV) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried
My Strength is in You, Lord
just as hummingbirds draw strength from sweet nectar, so do we seek God everyday and desire the nourishment of His Word and presence. By Natalie Brick, Lake Ozark, MO Medium: Acrylic. Scripture: Psalm 28:7 (NIV) “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps
Stormy Journey
Considering the unpredictability found in our daily lives, we need to see life’s storms through God’s eyes. By Barbara Bonnell, Fresh Oil Blogging Artist. Medium: Watercolor and Digital Art. Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NKJV) “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care
It’s My Favorite Scent, Lord
God has always be the “God Who Sees,” as exemplified by the story of the woman with the alabaster jar.When Jesus saw her heart and accepted her gift, her story took its place forever in the gospels. By Leihana W., Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, MN, Grade 11. Media: Mixed. Scripture: Matthew 26:10 (NIV) “Why
Into the Unknown
Just as the ancient monks followed God no matter the cost, venturing out into the desert or across the sea, deep within all of us, a longing stirs in our souls to do the same. By Diane Tobolt, Fresh Oil Blogging Artist. Medium: Digital Art. Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13-14a (CJB) “When you seek me, you will
God Sees My Heart
Because of Jesus, we never need to be afraid, for we know that God sees our hearts, and we belong to Him. By Charlotte Laxen Helfritz, Fresh Oil Blogging Artist. Medium: Watercolor. Scripture: Psalm 56:3-4 (NIV) “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust
Hold Onto Him
Nothing, no matter the social media or peer pressure, is more important than loving God and holding fast to him. By Clara L., Southwest Christian High School, Chaska, MN, Grade 10. Media: Mixed. Scripture: Matthew 14:28-31 (ESV) But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Garden of Love
If we sow the seeds of God’s love around us, we will see a garden of beauty bloom in this world. By Lorraine Schiller – Rutland, Massachusetts. Medium: Acrylic Paint. Scripture: Mark 12:30-31 (NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with
The Great Commission
Why are we called the Great Commission Artists?
Why Are We Called the “Great Commission” Artists?
What is the Great Commission? A lot of people think the Great Commission only applies to famous preachers or pastors, musical celebrities, or missionaries. But that’s not true. They can’t reach all of humanity by themselves. Is the Great Commission hard to do? Not really, because God’s power makes it happen. All you need is
Called to Create
To CREATE is to reach into deep places within ourselves and others. “I’ve learned that art can sometimes reach into places deep inside where my brain simple cannot go.” Terry Glaspey, Discovering God Through the Arts. Art is something you have to rest in before you can create it. Make friends with your new image
Called to Adore
To ADORE is to know that where we create is holy ground. “I take my shoes off when I’m writing. To me it’s a reminder that it’s holy ground.” Mark Batterson, Draw the Circle. Worship is the key to and foundation for creating anything that really matters to God and people. Why? I’ll answer with
Called to Listen
To LISTEN isn’t only about hearing. It’s about paying attention and responding. “If we let the Spirit of God bring us face to face with God, we too shall hear something akin to what Isaiah heard, the still small voice of God; and in perfect freedom will say ‘Here am I; send me.’” Oswald Chambers,
Called to Lean
To LEAN is to trust that God knows what He’s doing. “You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. Eight artists sat around a table with me. Listening to one of my favorite
The First Big Question: Who Is Jesus Christ?
“Who is Jesus?” This is the most important question of human history. It was asked 2,000 years ago, and it’s still the most consequential question on planet earth. In Luke 10, we learn about two sisters who were close friends of Jesus. It’s a famous story that tells us a lot about the importance of
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