When I was on the missions trip with Grace Church serving the Livada Orphan Care ministry in Romania, the beauty of the country inspired me. I had the idea that when I got home to Arkansas I could paint these Romanian scenes and donate the paintings to Livada to raise money for orphan sponsorship.
Târgu-Mureș was hilly, which made for excellent scenic views. I connected specifically with these scenes (the houses and trees on the hills with the mountains behind them) as pastoral scenes (minus the lamb/goat). These are such peaceful scenes for me because the houses represent people’s lives. I like the idea that there are people that live on the hillside in the country – that they wake up every day to the big sky (possibilities), mountains (stability), and trees (life/growth/change). Just looking out of the car window, I experienced the beauty of God many times while in Romania.
Image to Paint
Charcoal Sketch on Canvas
Painting Sketch (1st Coat)
Painting Sketch (2nd Coat)
Final Painting
Paper Opera 
I just love these paintings and the story behind them. I can so relate to the way you express what you see. God speaks to me through the scenes I see out the window. When I paint trees, I think of them as symbolic of individuals that get their life…literally and figuratively…from God. So proud of you!
Thanks Cheryl!
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