Artist bio

My name is Chelsea, I was raised on the small island of Kauai with 5 siblings and one amazingly strong mother. I myself am now a single mother of two beautiful children. I was a missionary for several years in different countries using community, music, and art to know God and to make God known. I later worked for an anti human trafficking organization in Northeast Asia that focused on the prevention aspect of human trafficking. After the Nepal Earthquake in 2015 the facilities, and supplies, were too damaged to consider finishing out my 2nd pregnancy there. In faith We evacuated to Thailand to safely deliver my daughter and during this period discovered my son is non verbal and autistic. The services for autism in foreign counties were scares so i decided to moved with my children to Indiana and got my son into an amazing ABA program. I am now stepping out in Faith as an artist in hopes that God uses my gifts to bless and reach others .

Title

The Battle Begins in The Mind

Medium/Genre

Mixed Media

Artist Statement

The Battle begins in the mind, when we are faced with making life choices it’s easy to look at things as a black or white decision. The choices that we all make and the path we follow for our lives starts in the mind. We can’t avoid the unseen attacks of the enemy, we don’t know what people are facing when they walk their path of life. We don’t see how dark it is in anyones mind, or the adversity they have had to face. But we can choose to be rooted in Gods word, and when we keep our mind rooted in Gods truth he will deliver us from the hands of the enemy that is relentlessly fighting to defeat us.
The mirrors represent windows and how the enemy will use outside perspectives to skew the way that we view ourselves and the influence that we allow the world to have on our mind. When we do not put on the armor of God we leave our minds vulnerable to attack.
The wings are Gods protection stretching out from his word and sheltering our hearts.
The sword emerging from the Bible is Gods word and demonstrates how his truth cuts down any lies that the enemy tries to deceive our mind with.
The gold stem rose represents the hope, the promise, and the beauty that grows from keeping our mind rooted in Gods word.
The lighthouse represents Gods promise at the end of the the board and at the end of life. It is a constant reminder and brings hope when we are faced with the challenges and discouragement.
The cross is the path that Jesus made for us when he died on the cross for our sins. It is the bridge that we can cross on so that we don’t have to stumble or get lost in our journey home.
The hands represent the enemies hands in our lives, manipulating and scheming to distract us from Gods Call and to cause us to stumble and fall.

How it fits into contest

My artwork depicts the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6:10-20 from the aspect of the mind. The choices we make and the way that we live our lives begins in the mind. When you make the choice to stand firm and stay rooted in Gods word you are choosing to put on the full armor of God. Your body can’t move without your mind, your tongue can’t speak without your mind, your ears cannot hear without your mind, your heart cannot beat without your mind. Your mind controls every part of your body and if you stand firm with the full armor of God in your mind, you are ready for battle. You can defeat the lies and schemes of the enemy, you can stand Undefeated in God’s strength when the weight of the world bares down around you. You must first set your mind on God and when you do you can put on the helmet of salvation on your head, place the buckle of truth around your waist. Wear the breast plate of righteousness and firmly place your feet in the shoes of peace. Carrying the shield of faith against the enemies attacks and strike him down with the sword of the spirit.
God has given these to every single person he has created, but it must be our choice to use them and that choice is made in our minds.
The mirrors represent windows and how the enemy will use outside perspectives to skew the way that we view ourselves and the influence that we allow the world to have on our mind. When we do not put on the armor of God we leave our minds vulnerable to attack.
The wings are Gods protection stretching out from his word and sheltering our hearts.
The sword emerging from the Bible is Gods word and demonstrates how his truth cuts down any lies that the enemy tries to deceive our mind with.
The gold stem rose represents the hope, the promise, and the beauty that grows from keeping our mind rooted in Gods word.
The lighthouse represents Gods promise at the end of the the board and at the end of life. It is a constant reminder and brings hope when we are faced with the challenges and discouragement.
The cross is the path that Jesus made for us when he died on the cross for our sins. It is the bridge that we can cross on so that we don’t have to stumble or get lost in our journey home.
The hands represent the enemies hands in our lives, manipulating and scheming to distract us from Gods Call and to cause us to stumble and fall.
Everything starts with the mind and it is important to protect it. Many choose to end their lives with just one choice and it is my hope that this piece will help many understand the importance of mental health and at the beginning and end of everyday to remember to choose God, and to choose the life that he has planned for us even when it feels like we are defeated, the truth is God already won the battle. We just have to follow him and trust in his promises until it is time for him to bring us home.

Credits

Huge thank you to Alex for always supporting and believing in me! I honestly couldn’t have done this without your love and support.
Thank you to my whole family for your love and the way it has shaped my mind and influenced the way I view the world and my walk with God.
Remembering my father, brother, cousin, and friends who have taken their own lives. Raising the awareness and the importance of the War the enemies is waging against our minds. Teaching me the importance of the choices we make in life and to protect my mind by wearing the full armor of God every day.

How to Purchase this Artwork

contact czulevic14@gmail.com

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

My son is Autistic and Non-verbal, he has inspired me to create and Sell Autism Awareness products which can be purchased at www.etsy.com/shop/designsunnysideup

Submit Your Artwork Today!

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