The Story Behind The Guardian: A Legacy of Faith, Home, and Remembering
It is late afternoon in Montgomery, and the October light is coming in low across the studio floor. Lucy, my 8 lb tornado, has finally gone still. For one minute, nothing needs anything from me.
Stay with me there for a minute.
You are welcome here. You do not need to be an artist. You do not need to have anything figured out. If you are tired in a way sleep does not fix, this is for you.
A painting for remembering
The Guardian is part of the Legacy Collection, a series that grew out of the nostalgia I felt as our country approached its 250th anniversary. I paired that feeling with Percheron horses, because they remind me of nostalgic America: the flag, the country, and the days of old.
Scripture speaks to remembering plainly: "We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done" (Psalm 78:4, NIV).
Remembering the strong ones who came before us. Remembering the home we were given. Remembering that God was faithful then, and is faithful now.
Why I keep painting
Jesus came after me when I was in the pit. I did not find my way out. He pulled me out. Art became one of the gentle ways I learned to stay present, to slow down, and to let Him meet me.
That is why I paint, and it is why I teach. Art is a skill. It can be learned, and it can be practiced. Some pieces I do not like. That does not make the art wrong. The piece I do not like is the platform for the next one.
A ten minute practice to try with it
If your first thought is "I can't do art," hear this: You can't do art wrong. This is your art and your vision. How do you want it to look?
You need one pencil and one sheet of paper.
Find a still spot. Look at The Guardian, or any image that reminds you of home.
Write down one thing you are grateful to have been handed, from your family, your town, or your country. A small one counts.
Sketch a shape that stands for it. A horse, a flag, a porch, a line of fence.
Say a short prayer of thanks, then set the page aside.
Nobody has to see it. It is only for you and for God.
Bring it home
If this painting speaks to you, you can find The Guardian as a print on its The Guardian print page, alongside the rest of the Legacy Collection. A gentle reminder on the wall, for the day you need it.
If a piece like this could be painted for someone you love, you can ask about Custom Artwork.
And if you would like an envelope with art, a devotional, and a gentle prompt to arrive in your mailbox each month, the Mosaic Mail Club is a door that is open. Begin here.
Related reading: Healing Through Art: How Broken Pieces Become Something Beautiful and What Is Christian Prophetic Art? A Gentle Introduction
Blessings, Erin
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