‘Frontyard Focus’
Oil paint on linen canvas 40x50cm

‘Frontyard Focus’ is a realism oil painting inspired by Psalm 34:5 NIV ‘Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.’ In the foreground is a personified sunflower positioned in front of a pedestrian crossing. It symbolises our journeying through life and our need of direction and guidance. The sunflower’s sharp details and rich green and yellow hues contrast the blurred and busy urban traffic intersection background that symbolises the noise, busyness and confusion of this world that we need to muffle out despite it shouting for our attention. The dark cloud looming in the distance represents the possible problems of tomorrow. At a closer look, the sunflower is not in optimal health but has damaged leaves and petals rummaged by the wind. This represents the pain, hurt and weariness we experience in life. Despite the bleak circumstances, the sunflower faces the bright white sun, the light that is above and beyond everything else. This posture represents our need to look to Jesus who is the guide and Lght that is greater than all the other voices and problems in our life.

Creative Process
The reference photo for ‘Frontyard Focus’ was created by combining two photographs. Adela photographed the background traffic intersection near some local shops and the sunflower from her neighbours’ garden. In Procreate she superimposed the sunflower onto the traffic photograph which she blurred and drew the dark cloud and bright sun. Although she commenced this oil painting in 2022, it was left unfinished for 3 years. Adela completed it in 2025 during a challenging season where Psalm 34:5 ministered to her anew as she ironically saw herself in this painting’s sunflower, in need of focusing on God beyond her circumstances.

Psalm 34:5 speaks of a promise for those who look to God and pay attention to Him. It speaks of joy in God’s presence and the removal of our shame. This truth is reflected in ‘Frontyard Focus’ by the sunflower who looks to the sun, respectively symbolising us and God. Despite the looming cloud, busy environment, damaged leaves and rummaged petals the sunflower remains focused on the sun, basking in the light of its presence. The sunflower encourages viewers to focus on God above all else, having an abiding posture of attention to His presence despite the pains of the past, worries of tomorrow and the present challenges of their environment. We can stand tall in God’s presence with our face towards Him who removes our shame and in whose presence we find joy. The position of the sunflower at a traffic intersection also speaks of our need of direction and encourages viewers to look to Jesus as our guide and light. He is above any other guide in this world and the Light by which we see everything else. This is symbolised by the position and clarity of the the bright sun that contrasts with the blurred urban background. God, who is greater than all things, knows our hurt, pain, and need of guidance. Regardless of our situation in life we can experience joy in God’s presence as we look to Him.

God, for the inspiration, guidance and strength throughout the process.

N/A

Follow @visualisingscripture and @adelachristycalligraphy on Instagram for updates on upcoming available artworks.