Be transformed ...

This original painting will be available for purchase beginning April 29; I will add a link for purchasing at that time. All proceeds will go to Emanuel Hospice in Romania, for purchase of medical equipment and art therapy supplies.

Be Transformed ©2010 Karen Mathison Schmidt
24 x 36 x 2 • acrylic on 2 inch cradled Gessobord

I did this painting as an illustration for a poster advertising the spring Women’s Night Out event at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport, where I am a member. I really had a blast with this, doing a lot of layering of color, using brushes and palette knife. I used iridescent gold paint on parts of the path, and a glaze with that iridescent gold on the girl’s skirt. Her hair has the iridescent gold and iridescent copper. Fun!

The golden bricks on the pathway transforming into butterflies could have two meanings: the juxtaposition between what the world sees as valuable and what God considers to be valuable; and the fleeting nature of earthly, temporal treasures. The scripture that goes along with our theme is Romans 12:2. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. I incorporated the first half of this verse into the bricks on the pathway in the finished poster.

Here are some close-up brushwork details of the original painting.