On My Heart

Have you ever had an idea for a painting that lingered in your mind for months on end? This one certainly has. Plans to go to Israel began way back in 2019, long before the pandemic. In anticipation of visiting the land where Jesus walked, the vision for this piece firmly planted itself in my heart. Even though the trip was delayed, the image remained strong. When we FINALLY arrived at the Sea of Galilee, I could hardly breathe. Getting over the initial awestruck moments, I started taking lots of pictures and making sketches.

Mt. Arbel was breathtaking. Things along the shoreline may have changed but this mountain is the same as it was over 2000 years ago. This is exactly what Jesus and His disciples saw!

Last weekend, Pastor Chris’ sermon was about THE GOOD SHEPHERD. It’s like God was saying, “Mikki, the Santa Fe Show can wait. It’s time to do this piece that’s been on your heart for so long.”

The painting is based on Luke 15:3-7, The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

“Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Sitting down Monday morning, I made a pencil sketch and am ready to start working on the canvas. By the way, you may click on any image to view it larger.

The initial plan is drawn up on the acrylic primed canvas with a brush dipped in a thin oil wash of MUD (2 parts Ultramarine Blue + 1 part Alizarin Crimson) + Liquin Original.

Now for the sweet, little lamb. No longer lost but found, it’s safely snuggled against the shoulder of THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

An Olive grove traipses over the hillside in the distance.

Red Poppies blanket the foreground.

Blue painter’s tape is used to lightly attach my reference photo for the sheep to the canvas. This placement makes it easy to refer to as I loosely sketch the “ninety-nine”.

I’ll start painting in our next session. Hope you’ll come follow along!

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