 Bloom as a Fragrant Offering 24" x 48" acrylic on textured canvas $300 This is the 5th painting in my Bloom series. I began this journey about this time last year when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am celebrating that I am a cancer survivor! The Lord gave me the title of this painting a couple of months ago. I finally decided how to paint this last painting of triumph and victory. After finishing this joyful painting, I awoke at 3:00 a.m. this morning and wrote this poem with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Bloom as a Fragrant Offering |
| The Flower starts small A tiny bud forming The sun brings forth life A new day is dawning She's pushed through the darkness As water refreshes Her form is still green She's alive but just waiting For a kiss from the Creator The source of her being She opens a little Just to test if it's safe But the sun is rising quickly Warming her beating heart She guards with great passion The beauty that lies deeply within She knows the approaching peril The moment she succumbs To the water gently falling From the warmth of the heavenly rain With all fear she abandons The price she's willing to pay To open the bud and peek at the day The petals simply obey The calling of the Creator To bear the heat of the birthing The peril replaced with The newness of joy The light fills her center Her surrender complete She throws off the mantle The cloak of her hiding | The flower responds To His still quiet voice All glorifying Him With all that she is A flower is born Her scent fills the air And where she stands Her roots in the ground A foundation of strength She holds her head high And sweet perfume is released Her beauty is short Her brilliance soon fades But her gift is honored By the hand of the Master He is pleased She has given her all To see Him smile He gathers her petals now Withered and frail And accepts her as was intended She bloomed as a fragrant offering To the One she truly loves She bloomed as a fragrant offering To the One who truly loves her. |
God's Word from Ephesians 5:2
"and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
"and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
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Sunrise - His Mercy and Grace Dwells Here
Commissioned painting
24" x 48"
Acrylic abstract on linen
The client requested that I create an abstract painting for her new mantle. I was able to visit her home to get a feel for her general decor and color preferences.
| We visited and I created an abstract that I hoped would be what she envisioned. I always pray about a painting and God reveals the theme and usually a title. The sunrise theme came from some of my conversations with the client. While I was praying I had a vision about the painting. I kept seeing a beautiful abstract of a sunrise with the sun peeking over the horizon. I saw brilliant yellows and oranges and all shades of blues in the sky above with dark to light as you get to the horizon. The beams of sunlight were in the form of a cross symbolizing the light being the Son of God waking up the day. Donna Ham, artist Child of God |
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| | This is my tiny corner, my space on planet earth. I've been looking out this back door for 40 plus years. This is where I paint, commune with God and look out on the world. This tree grew from a seed when my son and daughter were toddlers. The birds seranade and the squirrels fuss and scamper every day. I care for my Mom now and she sits at the kitchen window and looks out on this little scene every day, but the back door is mine. The sandbox was built for my grandson when he was a toddler. He's now 17! I can't seem to dismantle it. My granddaughter is 7 and still rides miles and miles on that little rocking horse tied up at my easel from her last visit at Mimi's. She still loves this horse although she outgrew it a couple of years ago. The cracks in the patio are like the wrinkles on my face. A cardinal just landed on the honeysuckle that has draped my fence for years. They come back every year to build their nest, lay their eggs and raise their young. They're like me...we love this tiny corner on earth... my art studio, my sanctuary, my home. Donna Ham, Artist Child of God |
I love creating still life paintings and the 30-Day Challenge has been...a challenge! But, I've decided to go back to my first love for a while, large abstract paintings. I think I need a little freedom to express all that is going on in my heart.
I bought a 24" x 48" canvas today. Yea! I have a rather large inventory of acrylic paints that are overflowing the plastic tub container. I can't wait to get started with color, glorious color..
A couple of months ago during my morning journaling and devotion time, a new title came into my mind. I quickly wrote it down and now it's time to start the painting to go with that title.
Bloom As A Fragrant Offering!
This will be the fifth painting in my BLOOM SERIES. If you've been following my blog posts, you know that the Bloom Series chronicles my journey since being diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2017.
I just had my six-month appointment with my doctor and after the first mammogram since all of the radiation. Everything is doing well, but he's ordered an additional ultrasound. I was hoping for a very positive visit but there always seems to be the unspoken "everything is fine, BUT..." statement. After a sleepless night, God has supernaturally freed me of the fear and disappointment thanks to the incredible people in my weekly Charismatic Prayer Meeting and their prayers, love and support. God turned the anxiety into overwhelming JOY! Now, that's a miracle!
I didn't now when God gave me such a beautiful title for a painting that it would be for this time. He keeps giving me this incredible gift of JOY today as I prepare to create this brand new painting. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His love for me than to create a painting that will be titled BLOOM AS A FRAGRANT OFFERING! Somehow I think there will be a flower involved, don't you?
I am so excited as I wait upon the Lord to fill my heart with the creative interpretation to go with such a beautiful title. I'll post along the way. I hope the journey of this painting blesses you. I'm already blessed!
Love,
Donna Ham, Artist
Joyful and Thankful Child of God!!!!
I bought a 24" x 48" canvas today. Yea! I have a rather large inventory of acrylic paints that are overflowing the plastic tub container. I can't wait to get started with color, glorious color..
A couple of months ago during my morning journaling and devotion time, a new title came into my mind. I quickly wrote it down and now it's time to start the painting to go with that title.
Bloom As A Fragrant Offering!
This will be the fifth painting in my BLOOM SERIES. If you've been following my blog posts, you know that the Bloom Series chronicles my journey since being diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2017.
I just had my six-month appointment with my doctor and after the first mammogram since all of the radiation. Everything is doing well, but he's ordered an additional ultrasound. I was hoping for a very positive visit but there always seems to be the unspoken "everything is fine, BUT..." statement. After a sleepless night, God has supernaturally freed me of the fear and disappointment thanks to the incredible people in my weekly Charismatic Prayer Meeting and their prayers, love and support. God turned the anxiety into overwhelming JOY! Now, that's a miracle!
I didn't now when God gave me such a beautiful title for a painting that it would be for this time. He keeps giving me this incredible gift of JOY today as I prepare to create this brand new painting. I can't think of a better way to celebrate His love for me than to create a painting that will be titled BLOOM AS A FRAGRANT OFFERING! Somehow I think there will be a flower involved, don't you?
I am so excited as I wait upon the Lord to fill my heart with the creative interpretation to go with such a beautiful title. I'll post along the way. I hope the journey of this painting blesses you. I'm already blessed!
Love,
Donna Ham, Artist
Joyful and Thankful Child of God!!!!
BLOSSOM AS A WILD FLOWER
5" x 7" acrylic on canvas
10th painting in 30-day challenge.
My little painting is 5x7 acrylic on canvas. I am participating in a 30-day challenge with artists from around the world. Today was challenge day #10 to paint a small painting and then "abandon" it in a public location with a note of encouragement for whoever finds it. The painting is based on "A person's life is like grass, it blossoms like wild flowers," Psalm 103:15. My note of encouragement along with the scripture is "If you find this small painting, I pray that your life is filled with joy today and that you find beauty all around you as you are beautiful like a flower, a wonderful creation.
I loved this challenge so much! My heart is full of visions of who might find it. How fun!
Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
5" x 7" acrylic on canvas
10th painting in 30-day challenge.
My little painting is 5x7 acrylic on canvas. I am participating in a 30-day challenge with artists from around the world. Today was challenge day #10 to paint a small painting and then "abandon" it in a public location with a note of encouragement for whoever finds it. The painting is based on "A person's life is like grass, it blossoms like wild flowers," Psalm 103:15. My note of encouragement along with the scripture is "If you find this small painting, I pray that your life is filled with joy today and that you find beauty all around you as you are beautiful like a flower, a wonderful creation.
I loved this challenge so much! My heart is full of visions of who might find it. How fun!
Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
CICADA
11" x 14" aacrylic on textured canvas
4th painting in 30-day challenge.
When I was a child, my Dad and I stayed up all night to watch a cicada emerge from its exoskeleton. It took a long time but when the cicada finally was free and spread its wing, it was absolutely beautiful with extraordinary colors. It seems those colors seem to find themselves in most of my abstract paintings. I feel as I grow more into the image that God has placed in me, the freer I become to enjoy all that He has planned for me. I found that the only way to express this was an abstract of a cicada drying its wings before taking off. I had an old painting that I didn't like much so much like I have felt like for so long. I covered that canvas (my exoskeleton) and texture with a new image of me as a cicada getting ready to take off...I'm ready to be free to live in the light if His love and confidence in me to bring Him glory with my art and my life.
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
11" x 14" aacrylic on textured canvas
4th painting in 30-day challenge.
When I was a child, my Dad and I stayed up all night to watch a cicada emerge from its exoskeleton. It took a long time but when the cicada finally was free and spread its wing, it was absolutely beautiful with extraordinary colors. It seems those colors seem to find themselves in most of my abstract paintings. I feel as I grow more into the image that God has placed in me, the freer I become to enjoy all that He has planned for me. I found that the only way to express this was an abstract of a cicada drying its wings before taking off. I had an old painting that I didn't like much so much like I have felt like for so long. I covered that canvas (my exoskeleton) and texture with a new image of me as a cicada getting ready to take off...I'm ready to be free to live in the light if His love and confidence in me to bring Him glory with my art and my life.
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
FROSTED BOTTLE
5" x 7" oil on canvas
3rd painting in 30-day challenge.
Challenge was to paint something you love and then give it to someone.
Note to my daughter who has supported me and helped me through the last few very tough years: Dear Alysia, my Day 3 challenge for painting 30 paintings in 30 days was to paint something I love and then give it to someone. I decided to paint one of your small frosted perfume bottles. Since we were talking about all of those antique bottles over the weekend I remembered why I loved them so much. I tried my hardest to paint one and I want to give it to you. The oil will have to dry and then I need to varnish and frame it for you. It's 5"x7". Here's a photo until it's ready. Love you! Mom. Her response was, Mom, I love, love, love it. Thank you for thinking of me. It's small enough to put on my desk at the office.
What a wonderful challenge. Two of my challenge paintings are being given as gifts!
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
SUNSET
9" x 12" oil on canvas
2nd painting in 30-day challenge.
Jehovah Raah, the Lord My Shepherd. When the sun rises and when the sun sets and in all the space and time between, the Lord is always present. "The heavens are declaring the glory of God and the firmaments are showing His handiwork." I hear the Lord my Sherpherd's voice reminding me that He loves me even when I cannot see His sunrise or sunset. Such peace!
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
COWBOY MIKE
5" x 7" oil on linen
Day 1 of 30-day painting challenge
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." My cousin Mike died last year and I have been trying to get emotionally ready to paint this as a gift for his son. As I painted, the more God guided me to paint a wonderful likeness of him. I was also amazed that I finished this little 5" x 7" in one day! What a promise fulfilled from a scripture I received this morning during my morning worship. Praise God!
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
5" x 7" oil on linen
Day 1 of 30-day painting challenge
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." My cousin Mike died last year and I have been trying to get emotionally ready to paint this as a gift for his son. As I painted, the more God guided me to paint a wonderful likeness of him. I was also amazed that I finished this little 5" x 7" in one day! What a promise fulfilled from a scripture I received this morning during my morning worship. Praise God!
by Donna Ham, Artist
Child of God
 | MIKE'S LAMP 12" x 24" oil on stretched linen The stained glass lamp was designed and built by my cousin Mike McNellie. Every object in this painting is a beloved memory item. Mike cut, designed and built the stained glass lamp. The photo is a reminder of my two cousins, Mike and Bruce who loved to go on ski trips together every year. The cross represents our faith and the scarf on the table is mine. I was commissioned by Bruce to paint this memorial painting. I pray that it blesses him as he remembers all the wonderful times he shared with Mike over a lifetime. Rest in Peace, Mike as you enjoy the skiing in Heaven. Donna Ham, artist Child of God |
Meet Donna Ham
Donna Ham is a professional artist located in Tulsa, Oklahoma creating acrylic and mixed media abstract paintings, and still life paintings in oil. She also enjoys photography and writes poetry.
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