Artist bio

My name is Haley Van Valkenburgh i am a wife to a loving Husband mother to 4 beautiful children. I was born and raised in South Carolina, I was brought up in a christian home,I knew the lord from a very early age but as i entered into my teenage years i was struggling to find myself and began down a road of self destruction. I became pregnant at a very early age and felt as though i had failed God. After becoming a mother i began to understand more about Gods love for us his children, I began to see now with my own child that no matter what i still loved her no matter how many times she disobeyed me i would never leave or forsake her. I knew that even with all my sin God still loved me because i was his child. I have always struggled with self doubt and often wonder if i could ever make it up to my parents after letting them down, being a young mom i have made plenty of mistakes and felt that my children deserve a better mother these are things i struggle with every day and God has gotten me through some pretty rough storms. I have to remind myself that God is always with me and that i don't carry this burden alone. Ephesians 6: 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Title

Life’s storm

Medium/Genre

Painting

Artist Statement

“The storm of life”
Sitting down to start any of my paintings most of the time i don’t know what is going to transpire on the canvas so i like to turn pandora on and listen to my Lauren Daigle channel and let the words move me and guide my hands . As i sat down to start this particular painting that i have named life’s storm the song Way Maker came on i closed my eyes and just let the words wash over me as i began to paint tears streamed down my face as all the self doubt poured out of me unto my canvas ! God is the light in the storm he parts the clouds and calms the waves !I know through Christ all things are possible and only through him can my fears be layed to rest ! The devil playes on my weaknesses and insecurities telling me that i am not good enough i am not worthy of gods love ! However with Gods armor he protects my mind,my body, my heart,and my soul !

How it fits into contest

This particular piece is a reflection of life’s storm and how with the armor of God we can ride out the storm! Struggling with self doubt and self worth! This piece to me is overcoming those doubts (am i a good enough daughter? Am i a good enough wife, mother,child of God, etc) but then God clears the sky and calms the waves and then you know he’s right there with you! With out Gods armor your open to the world and all that it brings with it! Temptation, hate, greed, etc
Ephesians 6: 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Credits

I want to thank my husband Johnny for encouraging me to paint and for noticing something in me that i had not even noticed in myself. Even when i doubt my work hes always there pushing me forward. His input in this piece "Lifes Storm " is what helped me finish.

How to Purchase this Artwork

Type of work: a unique original
Purchase price: $200

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