My Sister

It’s been a while since my last post…I spent last week in Texas visiting my sister. Kelly is just one year older than me, but I have always looked up to her as if she were a sage! The crazy thing is that for all the respect and admiration I hold for her, I have an equal amount of comfort in her presence. Maybe it comes from 18 years of sharing a bedroom with her, but she makes me feel “at home” like few others do. See, I’m a girl who likes to be in my own house -  in my own space -  among my own things - sleeping in my own bed!  And while I do love to travel with my husband, rarely am I comfortable in someone else’s home. Kelly’s home is an exception…but I think it has more to do with her than whatever structure in which she resides.

My sister has a spirit of grace. She is kind, and wise, and possesses strength of character worthy of my respect. Today’s painting seems a fitting illustration. Not only does Kelly love the color red (which I find most appropriate for her), but like the primary color, her spirit if pure and strong and giving. She loves with her life; all who know her can attest.

The Gospel, 2008

Acrylic on Wood Panel, 36” x 24”

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is the good news, also referred to as the Gospel.

The focal point of this piece is a large cross (representing Christ’s crucifixion and gift of salvation), centered in the quatrefoil (symbolic of the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), among numerous hearts (representing both the love of Christ and the home of Christ through salvation). The hearts are repeated throughout the image in various tones of reds and red-oranges (echoing the idea that Christ comes into hearts and enlivens them through salvation). The patterns created by repetition of the shapes mentioned above are enclosed in black lines highlighted in blues to create a stained glass impression (representing the Church).

To see more original works of art and related products like posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com./

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew

Spirit of Power

For a while now, I have felt that I am depleted of energy – of usefulness – of POWER! I desire to be a blessing to my husband – to my family – to my friends – to all the people God places in my life along the way.  Mostly, I want to be a blessing to my Creator – to please Him with this life He has given me.


Yet, I’ve really struggled of late. Over the past few years, I’ve undergone a career transition… that is to say I left secure 14 year tenure as an art teacher to start my own online gallery. It has been SLOW going, and it has left me searching. Who am I? What is my purpose? What am I supposed to be doing? How can I contribute financially to our family? What happened to my career?! I’ve searched my soul, and sadly I’ve found that I put a great deal of stock in WHAT I DO – to the point that it has defined WHO I AM as a person.

I know better, truly! Intellectually, I know that no job is the measure of my self-worth. I am a child of God! I am blessed beyond measure – loved beyond deservedness – treasured and provided for beyond my hopes. Praise God for my husband who supports my dreams, encourages me as I pursue them, believes in me even when I don’t, and thanks me daily being his wife!

I don’t know what God has in store for me – not a clue. All I know is that I am HIS and He is mine. So, I will look to Him as I continue on in His strength, not in mine. As I press on, I claim the promises I find in is Word and I trust Him for the results.

Description of Composition:
This little painting packs a powerful sentiment. Its composition was developed by layer upon layer of the symbolic cross and dove. Radiating from the central crimson cross (representing Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on Calvary) which is overlaid with the downward pointing white dove (representing the descending Holy Spirit which indwells the soul of the believer) are repeating contours echoing both symbols. The repetition creates almost a wavelike pattern starting in the center of the painting and billowing toward the edges.

It was my intention to emphasize the unstoppable force of the Spirit that emanates from the heart of a born again believer. May this painting be a visual reminder to us, when we find ourselves in a fearful hesitation, that God has given us His Spirit of POWER!

Scriptural Inspiration:
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV)

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6 NIV)

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV)

To see more original works of art and related products like note cards, posters, giclees and fine prints, please visit http://www.sonstudios.com./

Live a beautiful life! ~Kim P. Bartholomew