Art Reflects Life…

Valerie Sjodin copyright-Inspiration Flow of Holy Spirit

I worked on the piece above just before foot surgery, painting to worship music and feeling inspired. It was one of those times when it flowed and I think the painting expresses how I feel when I'm inspired. I am considering it a sweet gift from God and praise to Him, since the next few weeks were tougher and the painting definitely did not flow easily. 

Valerie Sjodin© Joy in Being Loved

This second painting above began the same way but then I ran into some challenges and set it aside until after surgery. A week or two later it was finished. But I started it with joy and after pushing through, it came around. 

The third painting I wrestled with from the beginning and got to the point where I had to get rid of the one thing I really liked on order for it to possibly work. Then I worked in frustration and pain on and off for a few weeks. I had one of those nothing-to-lose-so-may-as-well-pull-out-the-stops paintings. Yesterday I set aside a whole day to paint and worship to the music. I worked and prayed through life struggles and painted as I worshiped with music from Bethel and Jason Upton, not thinking too much about the painting process. It seems a bit over the top but I'm not ready to make a judgment on it yet. What I do know is that the painting is a piece that reflects my life and the longing I felt when I made it.