The Praise Series
Before I dive into the inspirations behind each artwork, I’d like to share something personal here. It took me a long time to write this because I’m not very good with baring my soul and emotions publicly, but I hope it can encourage or inspire someone out there. 🥹
Just the other day, a wise friend asked me a really good question:
“Let’s say you’re giving your all each day, you’re doing everything right, you’re close to God, you’re trusting God for breakthroughs, and yet you still don’t feel like you’re close to getting your breakthroughs? What would you do?”
Everything he just described, is everything I’ve carried in my heart for the past few years. The grief of unanswered prayers, the frustration of feeling like I’ve poured everything I have and everything I am into building Wildflower Culture – and still feeling like most of my dreams and desires are still so far from reach. I’ve had to wrestle with this nearly every day since 2022. That’s two achingly long years of carrying the tension of grief & joy in my heart. And to be honest, I’m still learning how to navigate this “valley season” with grace and gratitude.
But God has been really, really good.
I cannot deny this, and it’s crucial to highlight His presence in everything I’ve gone though. Because even when He doesn’t remove the pain, I still know that He’s with me. I do not understand why certain things have to happen a certain way, or why certain prayers don’t get answered right away, but one thing I know is that God never abandons us. And because He is always with us, there is beauty to be found.
Credit: Annie Spratt
So back to the question above: What did I do?
It wasn’t easy, but I had to learn how to allow praise to rise above my emotions. Being in a “valley season” of waiting and wondering can be tough, but it’s never wasted. I love this quote by Billy Graham.
“Mountaintops are for views and inspiration,
but fruit is grown in the valleys."
– Billy Graham.
It’s really hard to praise when things aren’t going well. But the praises you sing in those bleak, dark moments are never in vain because praise isn’t just a song or an empty declaration, it’s a weapon. It shifts atmospheres. It changes things.
(In case you’re viewing this on an iPhone, you can play the song in a new window. 😉)
Thrilled to finally introduce the PRAISE series!
I created these 4 paintings shortly after I moved into my new studio. Initially I wanted to create pieces that look similar, but each piece took me on its own raw, unfiltered journey. As a result, each artwork is personal, telling its own story of gratitude to represent the heart of praise in every season.
So this collection represents the praises you sing in the valley, and the praises you sing on the mountains. Let me know which piece resonates with you in the comments below, I’d love to hear your thoughts. ☺️
#1: Gratitude
#2: See A Victory
#3: Leave Me Astounded
#4: Secret Place
And the best part?
God’s not done yet!
There will be more praises to sing as we cross over from 2024 into 2025.
Believing this for you, my friend!
Thanks for reading this post! This series is very close to my heart, so I hope you’ll enjoy these pieces. 🥰
Contact me for more info, or if you’re interested to see what these paintings look like in your home.