Temporada 3
Karen Thomson
Matt Campbell
Vanessa Zakas
Amy Wadleigh
Valeria Martinez-Yela
Isabelle Lopez
D'Evelyn Spekner
Noshua Nunley
Rachael Granger
Lisa Bramblet
1 de 5
Cascade of Hope Vellum Bristol Art paper, KIT PIPI Graphite Pencils, framed in Oak. (4H, 3B), Castle Arts Performing Touch Color Pencils | 11” X 17” The variety of images in this piece capture the scriptures in the book of Peter through Karen’s eyes, and how she sees them after hearing them preached at Golden Hills. In 1 Peter, we can see the incredible amount of work that Jesus has done for us and how the struggles that we all face in life can become a pure testament to His amazing existence in each of our lives. The main poem and writings with each drawing are an expression of the emotions that can be felt while studying God’s word.
The Lion that Seeks to Devour Digital on photo paper | 24” x 54” Taking pictures of 3 people in history; fascist dictator, Benito Mussolini, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie and Ethiopian English professor, Asfaw Malaku. I “shredded” each person, rearranging their “digital DNA”, and created a distinct new pattern for each person. I then took that pattern and created a symbol that represented each person’s life. Mussolini is depicted as the “Devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 Haile Selassie is depicted by a Coptic cross, as he was widely known in his country to be a Christian, and a direct descendant of King Solomon. Asfaw Malaku is depicted as an apple, long associated as a symbol for teachers. In this case there is a bite out of the apple, as this particular lion directly impacted the professor and the direction Mussolini’s attacks took his life from the time he was a young child. There is a strong local connection with this piece as Asfaw Malaku’s daughter, Nunu Asfaw Campbell has been attending Golden Hills Church for the past 20 years. Local missionary Jodie Collins helped smuggle 10 of Haile Selassie’s great grandchildren out of Ethiopia during the revolution, and Golden Hills parent church, Fair Oaks helped support the great grandchildren after the assassination of Haile Selassie. Selassie and Malaku both out lived this roaring lion. Who are the roaring lions in your life?
Shadows Oil on canvas | 30"x40" In 1 Peter 5, the devil is described as a prowling lion, seeking to devour. The danger of a lion is obvious, but what if the lion is the kitten that you’ve raised, not recognizing it for a lion until it’s too late? It is easier to resist an enemy that declares itself your enemy. Do you know what danger looks like? In the garden, Eve had a choice. To eat the forbidden fruit or not. We have that same choice every day. To resist the devil or not. It is the attraction and beauty of flowers that tempts us to ignore the warning. Attractive fruit and harmless kittens, beware of the lion beneath them.
The Journey To... Acrylic on canvas “The Journey to…” is my piece to reflect on 1 Peter. Through acrylic paints, I really wanted to capture God beauty throughout the world. The people at the bottom of the painting, are those who choose their own path and not the path of the Lord. The ones who are walking to the cross, are those who choose to follow the Lord. Our journey as believers, is to look much different than those who are self reliant. I have much symbolism in my painting. One of which I was able to incorporate Matthew 11:28-30. In summary those verses talk about finding rest in the Lord. The gentleman sitting around the cross is a reflection of that verse. He also happens to be my grandfather who passed July 2, 2025. Through Gods grace, we believe he has found his rest in Him.
Resist. Acrylic on canvas | 11” x 14” Throughout the book of Peter, God calls us not to conform to our former evil desires, but instead to live wholly for Him. The four dark shadows crawling from behind symbolize the undesired evil company that so often linger in our lives. Turning away from those sinful desires that tempt each of us may not be easy. Yet, seeing that gleaming light above is a reminder that through God’s mercy, we have been born again. Therefore, it is vital to place our full trust in Him and seek to glorify God in every moment we are given.
The Path of an Exile Digital | 8"x10" A man has been freed from his shackles and looks out at the bright morning sun. However, he is notably separated from the procession of men who march northward, all of whom are masked in shadow. Rendered in gouache and fresco-style brushes, the rolling hills and winding path evoke a graphic sense of texture. While rays of sunlight streak across the scene, providing an impressionist quality that amplifies the contrast between freedom and the alienation of an exile.
Into His Marvelous Light Watercolor, Gouache, & Watercolor Pencil | 15.75” x 29.75” The inspiration for my piece was 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Life on earth is full of dark moments, shadows, trials and difficulties. We struggle with each other, we struggle with our selves, and we struggle with God. God calls us out of this darkness into fellowship with Him. Only when we seek Christ our Saviour, who gave his life for our sin, do we find life, peace and hope in this fallen world. Our hope is in the kingdom to come when as it is written in Isaiah 40:31 “…they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” I hope this piece encourages you to seek Christ now and forevermore.
The Holy Priesthood Acrylic on canvas | 36” x 24” In the center of the painting, there is a small stone house (the holy priesthood) with its door open. Inside the house, you see two stone figures (living stones). One, shining with light, is washing the other man’s feet. Outside the house, there are four more living stones. On the left, a man is gently wiping away a woman’s tears. On the right, a woman is feeding soup to a sick man. They are grounded in their faith, making them like stones, but alive because of their actions, as they live for Christ. The sky in the background is divided into three parts. On the left, the sky is light blue. In the middle, it turns hazy yellow. On the right, it becomes dark stormy purple. The stone figures glow differently depending on how dark the sky is around them, showing that the faith of the stones is strong and resilient no matter the conditions. This painting shows a concept from 1 Peter 2 — that believers are “living stones.” Their faith and actions make them shine, and their strength comes from being built on Jesus (his love and his strength).
Campfire Conversations Acrylic on canvas | 14” x 11” I Peter writes about us being living stones built together into a spiritual house through Jesus. Using my familiar animals I paint with I was inspired to paint a scene with them discussing this scripture. I enjoyed painting the darks and lights caused by the campfire. It was also fun bringing in the personalities of Sully the frog and Ginger the hedgehog. Can you hear the crackling of the fire? The giggles from the gleaming eyes spying in the background? The mouse not sure what to think of Sully’s outburst. Thistle the beaver unusually quiet.
The Art of Food - Roman interpretation Edible Loveliness Ancient Roman Food is perhaps more familiar than we might think. In the Apicus, the oldest recorded Cookbook, we find many things we enjoy today, fruits and vegetables, stews, bread and so forth. Now there were some items that we don’t so much see today - like stuffed door mice and roasted flamingos. It is no doubt within the context of Peter’s ministry within the Roman Empire that being raised in Jewish culture and tradition that eating with Gentiles was certainly a challenge. In Acts 11: 5-10 we see Peter being prepared to work within a foreign environment, one that will challenge who he sees himself as. In Galatians 2:11-16 we get to see Peter stumble a bit while living amongst and working with the Gentiles and he is confronted with this very matter of eating non-Jewish food. Peter serves as a great example for us that sanctification is a walk - a very long walk and we all will have challenges and blind spots to contend with along the way.