This watercolor painting was my example art for the subject of thankfulness. I had all my groups at the psychiatric hospital make art about something they were thankful for. We talked about how being thankful can improve our mood and help balance our perspective, especially when faced with overwhelming adversity or despair. We talked about how depression and hopelessness can decrease our thinking skills and problem solving skills, thus if we can improve our mood and generate hope, we’re also able to better respond to the problems that we face. Everyone who wanted to shared the art and talked about what they were thankful for.
I am thankful for the gift of art and also my ability to be creative and make art which I reflected in this watercolor painting. I see art and creativity in these bright, life-giving colors and free flowing organic shapes. I also see a window of opportunity. In the groups today, we talked about how the smallest things can bring us comfort and even joy such as a leaf floating in the wind, or a beautiful sunset, or even a hot cup of tea and also how we can be thankful for things we might have a tendency to take for granted such as the ability to see or hear, or be able to think or walk, good health, or even to have food, shelter, and friends and family in our life. Its very uplifting to listen to others talk about all the blessings they have in their life.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4: 8, NIV)
Prophetic message of the art:
Now when I study the picture spiritually, I see an angel dumping presents over a village of whimsical, fancy castles representing the awe and wonder of the Kingdom of God. There seems to be glitters or sparkles in the air. There’s all kinds of different presents and packages being delivered to God’s people. This is a season to receive the promises, to receive new spiritual gifts and mantles, but also new physical and emotional gifts which will bring about breakthrough, change, provision, peace, and joy. After a difficult and weary season God is ready to bring restoration, recompense, and reward for all those who remained faithful and stayed the course. Above the gift bearing angel is another angel taking authority over the circumstances and evil we are facing, so that oppression, bondage, affliction, and adversity can be broken off of our lives. That angel is releasing keys that we need to be victorious in this next season. We may not see the breakthroughs and gifts just yet or the full magnitude of them, but God says, “Trust me. They have been released!” In this past season, we have really had to walk by faith and not by sight, and we’ve really had to cling to God and his words for our life and well being in order to survive this challenging time we have faced. Some have felt like they were nearly running on empty after such discouragement and weariness of this past season; of having to wait for so long to see prayers answered and breakthrough finally come. But in the waiting and in the warfare a stretching and readiness took place to increase our capacity to receive and implement the gifts that God will be bringing, as it’s not just for ourselves, but we are to release these gifts for the benefit of others, to bring others into the Kingdom and into the knowledge of God. I feel like God is saying that we need to come before Him so that He can wipe away the weariness and refresh us. A posture of gratitude will be one key for receiving in this new season we are in. The more we are grateful and worship God for what He has done, the more we will receive; one will beget the other in a never ending cascade of goodness. I hear God saying to meditate on His goodness and faithfulness. Really study that and recount all the ways that God has come through for you, provided for you, and answered prayers already. Keep these things in your remembrance. God wants to show us that He is good, faithful, true, and just. He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Now is the time to receive!
Supporting scriptures:
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isaiah 43: 19 NIV)
I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. (Psalms 77:12 NIV)
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. (Psalms 63:6 NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)
Creative Passages 