Welcome to Gretty Beth Arts’ Advent 2024 paintings! As Artist in Residence at my church, I love to create artwork for this season leading up to Christmas!
I made four paintings spanning the four Sundays before Christmas with the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Each of these paintings began as a block of basswood, which is then carved, painted, sometimes sanded, and sometimes burnt. Basswood is the best wood for carving, and I love its versatility!
I’ll say a few words about my thought processes as we go, but more important is how the pieces connect with you.
Here are some images of the artwork:
Hope When You’re Afraid of the Future
Hope When You’re Afraid of the Future. Ink on burnt basswood. Original with permanent African mahogany frame 19.5″x26.” Original available. Please contact me here with your interest. Unmatted, high quality giclees available here.
Sometimes, it seems the darkness surrounds us on all sides. But reaching our branches skyward for mercy, the branches of families and friends, and even strangers we haven’t met, reach with us.
Some bear beautiful berries, some carry their darknesses, and some hold unknown fruits yet to come! Nothing can stop the abundance and assurance of God’s Hope.
Whatever we carry, God’s presence and Hope is steadfast. The darkness may surround us, but Hope: the fruits of fascination and awe in our hearts for what is virtuous, creates Good which surrounds us too.
Amid the darkness, God’s Hope assures us and lifts us up.
Peace Will Guard Your Heart and Mind
Peace Will Guard Your Heart and Mind. Ink on basswood. Original with permanent African mahogany frame 25.25″x19.5″ Original sold. Unmatted, high quality giclees available here.
Based on Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.
The deep energy below us, set into motion at Earth’s creation, is visible as our planet lives and breathes with a lively yet wise and ancient Presence that we can see!
It steams, burbles, boils, cascades, and geysers in gorgeous expression from Earth’s heart.
Earth is unthinkably ancient and will last unthinkably longer than any of her species.
What does our planet say about God if not that whatever this energy is is ancient, older than humankind, more steadfast than before life began? I know this as energy as Peace; a steadfast Peace that passes understanding even when there is really good reason to fear.
Seeing Earth’s ancient deep energy come to the surface reminds me of the planet’s Peace, and God’s very real Peace, I know, will guard my heart and mind.
Joy When You Trust
Joy When You Trust. Ink on carved and burnt basswood. Original with permanent African mahogany frame 18″x26″. Original available. Please contact me with your interest. Unmatted, high quality giclees available here.
Solid and steadfast trust in God, that has come into this world in Jesus’ future words, gives birth to a small breath that then grows into a loud splashy rainbow explosion of Joy!
The periwinkle shapes, like this trust, hug and literally give form to the Joyful rainbow. Rejoice! We anticipate the birth of our Savior! And that beautiful energy is in the world until the end of time!
Love Melts Fear
Love Melts Fear. Ink on carved and burnt basswood. Original with permanent African mahogany frame 18″x25.5″ Original available. Please contact me with your interest. Unmatted, high quality giclees available here.
This painting is visceral, literally. I was thinking about how fear clenches parts of the body and mind, and I painted an abstract representation of frozen, fearful bodies. God wraps our minds and all our body parts in Love with our Guide, the Christ Child. And the fear in our bodies is symbolically melting in this abstract painting!
Christmas Star
Christmas Star. Ink on carved basswood. 4 feet by 6 feet. Original sold.
Christmas Eve: The Light of the World is based on Isaiah 49:6: “I will…make you a light to the nations, so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
The traditional “Christmas Star” painting reminds us of Christ’s presence, shining constantly as we as Christ’s people bring God’s Light to the world.
Appreciating Advent 2024
This Advent work was born from a place of deep gratitude and prayer and worship. It was born from compassion for a humankind that is struggling, yet for whom Jesus’ birth soothes fears and inspires a profound determination.
My Advent paintings will be progressively installed over the Advent season at Boise First Congregational, United Church of Christ, located at 2201 W Woodlawn Ave., Boise, ID 83702, and will be on display during the Christmas season!
May the dream of the birth of the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this season fill you to brimming, and inspire you to share this energy to touch others’ lives as well.
These are my latest Advent paintings – but if you want to bring the light and spirit of Advent and Christmas to your loved ones this year, consider sharing these holiday cards with them!
New this year, in addition to your favorites, Holiday Woodblock Print 8 Card Pack and Winter Season Cards 8 Pack are:
Holiday 4 Card Packs! These 4 card packs are some of Gretty Beth Art’s best sellers and they’re only $18 a pack!
Here are some photos of the 4 Card Packs:
Wreath
Poinsettia
Woodblock Christmas Tree
Snowy Owl
Reaching out to others and appreciating your friends and loved ones in these times of struggle and in our increasingly disconnected world is so important. Sending a beautiful handmade card with your handwritten, caring message acknowledges your relationships in a special way.
These cards are prints on cardstock of Gretchen’s original artworks for a genuine and personal touch.
Happy holidays to you and your loved ones!
And thank you for supporting the arts!
– Gretchen Weitemier