“Do you want to add a powerful element to your artwork? Have you considered using painting to convey ideas and/or spiritual truth through symbolism? I’m not suggesting that you do this with every painting that you produce. But just bear with me and you might find this an exciting challenge. Everything you paint conveys something. The body of your work, which is the overall volume of all of your paintings, conveys a ‘world view.’ This world view encompasses your beliefs and convictions. It concerns the meaning of existence and the purpose of life in this world.”

Learn how to paint breathtaking sunsets by avoiding the “black silhouette syndrome” that plagues many artists. Discover why photography distorts sunset colors and how to use complementary colors instead of black to create luminous, professional-looking sunset paintings in both impressionistic and realistic styles. This article includes three practical exercises to transform your sunset paintings from amateurish to masterful.

Explore Paul Gauguin’s artistic journey and spiritual crisis through a faith-based lens. Discover how his search for paradise led to isolation and learn valuable lessons for modern artists.

Isn't it your turn now? Many people view the "middle years" of life as a time of raising a family and working 9-5. During this period, they often trim away extraneous things to focus on work ethic and devotion to family. And in the crucible, one of the things...

Childhood Wonder and Becoming what you Gaze upon Gatlinburg, Tennessee in the late 1960's was a magnet for tourists, artists, musicians, craftsmen and flatlanders from the Southeastern U.S. For my family, it was an ideal spot for a week-long summer vacation every...

Art Challenges to Boost Your Creativity Sometimes as artists we get stuck. It happens to almost everyone. You just feel like you are in a rut and the idea for the next painting won't come. Here are some creativity-boosters that have helped me in the past. Perhaps they...

Bible records first mention of artist used by God Many are surprised to learn that The very first person the Bible says was “filled with the Spirit of God” was not Adam or Eve. It wasn’t Abraham. And it wasn’t Moses. It was a creative named Bezalel, an artisan whom...

Mark Hillis reflects on his 1976 still life painting, created on repurposed army tent canvas, which won BEST IN SHOW nearly 50 years ago. He emphasizes the durability of unconventional materials and spiritual redemption, likening God’s transformative work in our lives to art creation, making the seemingly worthless into something enduring and beautiful.

(Featured Image: "Afternoon Light, Georgia Hay Field" - by Mark Hillis - Oil on Canvas, 16" x 20") Summer Memories of Farm Life Growing up on the farm, Summer was the season I waited for. As soon as school was dismissed for the Summer, my shoes came off...except for...