To this artist, hands are a beautiful thing. Hands nurture; they toil, they bless - they strive. Beyond prayer, hands empower the soul. They also tell every story under the sun. Trial to triumph, compassion to crucifixion--these hands are filled with every line of life.

This work was created within what I call my "Hands series"; a series that is meant to have an identification with Christians but an appeal to all. The subject matter of "Hands" are integral as an important vehicle to deliver an expression of emotions that need no face to convey, no voice to tell. To the spiritually sensitive, rich meaning can be drawn; while the rest may find themselves moved by the emotional tone of the piece, depiction, or left with a hunger to discover ‘why?’.

Many pieces within this series are from visions I've personally had. "Praying for You" was one I had in 2018 but was not impressed to create the painting until I saw this contest (ah yes,-- timing).

Mixing media helped me flow with what was best for the piece, but it is primarily acrylic on canvas panel. Faded edges evoke a dreamlike 'state of thought' which direct focus to the deeper spiritual message I am intending to convey. The main figure appears to hover; because prayer covers and also lifts us up.

Dimensional objects inserted are an important means that brings ‘physicality’, --that drawing sense of ‘Touch’.
 Through such uses, my desire is to pull the viewer into empathy; fusing personal life experience with the message, "In Jesus, You are Covered".

With inspiration from Psalm 91:1-6 and the need for HIS covering (from the arrow that flies by day), this piece focuses on the value of solidarity in Jesus and "Covering one-another" in Prayer.
His "Covering" is strong; a hurled javelin snaps to shreds in touching it. In the painting, each anchor of covering is held by a faithful believer fulfilling the commission to "Love one-another". Prayer is not idle, and it certainly IS vital. As the world seems to push disunity, I believe "and greater works than these" is accomplished by faithful believers that are not 'loners' riding out the storm til' HE returns, but ones in united fellowship sharpening iron against iron and "believing BIG".

Me (Jennifer Sowders) and God... because this was a vision He gave me in 2018

Original, framed. $1100. Contact through www.MONgallery.us for purchase.

Limited commissions accepted. In addition to the ongoing "Hands" series, traditional award-winning Watercolor and oil still-lifes, landscapes and plein air paintings are available.