Blog - Donna Ham, artist

Donna Ham, artist

Solo Art Show at Circle Cinema, Tulsa

8/22/2018

Bloom Series

I have been accepted today for a solo show at Circle Cinema Gallery in Tulsa's only independent, non-profit art house movie theatre. The gallery opening is part of the Kendall Whittier Arts 2nd Thursday Art Walk. The reception at Circle Cinema Gallery is open to the public on September 13 from 6pm to 9pm and then my paintings will be on display throughout September. My Bloom Series and Summer Series will be highlighted along with many other paintings. Join us for the Art Walk and the reception of my gallery showing.

Summer Series

Come to the Art Walk and visit many artists and businesses on Kendall Whittier Main Street. The Circle Cinema is at 10 S. Lewis Avenue.

Thursday, September 13, 2018
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Circle Cinema Gallery
10 S. Lewis Avenue

www.donnaham.com

Facebook: donnahamartist
Instagram: donnahamartist

Storm Brewing

7/18/2018

Abstract

Storm Brewing
16 x 20
Acrylic Abstract on linen

$147.50

I live in Oklahoma where we have a lot of turbulent storms. This is my interpretation of the excitement, fear and even thrill that builds within me as the air pressure begins to change, the sky turns ominous shades, the air gets threateningly still before the winds pick up, and the rain falls in sheets and swirls in extreme force as the storms intensify I can only express these type of feelings and emotions through abstraction.

Bloom As A Fragrant Offering

4/18/2018

Bloom as a Fragrant Offering by Donna Ham, artist

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
by Donna Ham, artist

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."

SUNRISE - His Mercy and Grace Dwells Here

4/17/2018

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

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!
I am blown away. It exceeds my expectations and I feel so honored. You captured what I did not know I wanted and will treasure always. I love it. Perfect!!!

Debbie

My Tiny Corner

4/15/2018

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

New Painting Begins!

2/14/2018

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!!!!

BLOSSOM AS A WILD FLOWER

2/8/2018

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

Cicada

2/2/2018

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

Frosted Bottle

2/2/2018

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

2/2/2018

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