Hidden treasures aren’t always buried in the ground. Sometimes they’re stashed in studio corners, waiting patiently on half-finished canvases. This weekend’s spring cleaning revealed not just forgotten art pieces, but precious memories and valuable lessons about growth, patience, and God’s perfect timing.
As I sorted through my studio this weekend, each unfinished canvas told a story. These weren’t just incomplete projects – they were chapters of my artistic journey, waiting to be continued. From that first sunset photo my husband captured in Abilene that sparked this creative path back in 2016, to the mixed media experiments of today, each piece holds moments of inspiration, challenge, and growth.
Like archaeological layers, these pieces span nearly a decade of my creative walk with God. Some canvases whisper of busy seasons when art had to wait, while others show bold experiments with new techniques and materials. Each one teaches me something about patience, progress, and the beauty of allowing God to work in His perfect timing.
Join me as I share three special pieces that are teaching me valuable lessons about faith, creativity, and the art of embracing the unfinished…
Wyoming Whispers: A Lesson in Seasons
This landscape emerged from a family adventure through Yellowstone National Park – a journey that showed me God’s creativity in the most unexpected ways. Within just ten minutes along one stretch of road, we witnessed His artistic mastery as the landscape transformed from snow-covered grounds to sun-warmed rocky shores. Add to that the thrill of seeing elk and grizzly bears up close, and you can understand why this scene demanded to be captured on canvas.
The metallic guardrail, my proud early experiment with blending techniques, stands ready to guide viewers into the scene. Behind it waits the challenge that paused my brush – the vast expanse of water and rock. But you know what? Sometimes God’s timing includes seasons of waiting, teaching us patience through the process.
🎨 Technical Journey:
- Early experiments with acrylic paint blending
- Perspective challenges with water and rock formations
- Learning to trust the creative process
Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your own memorable travel moments that sparked creativity!
Mixed Media Sea Turtle: A Journey in Layers
Have you ever had an idea that wouldn’t let go? This piece started with a morning revelation and a box of forgotten costume jewelry. Those vintage bangle bracelets sparked something unexpected – a vision of bubbles dancing through underwater scenes that perfectly aligned with God’s reminder that beauty often emerges from the most surprising places.
The Creative Journey:
- Foundation: Layers of paper scraps creating natural depth
- Texture: Bangle bracelets and gel medium forming organic bubble effects
- Spirit: Bible pages transformed into flowing water, reminding us that God’s Word flows through every creation
- Shell Details: Hole-punched scrapbook paper building dimensional texture
“He makes everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
This piece continues to evolve, teaching me about patience and trust in the creative process. When uncertainty creeps in (yes, there were moments when it looked like “a very blue mess”!), I’m reminded that growth often happens in those uncertain spaces between layers.
✨ Want to see this piece transform? Follow me on Instagram! We’ll explore texture techniques while discussing how art can become a form of prayer and meditation, plus you’ll have a peek into the process of creating this sea turtle and other artwork.
Belgian Memories: Where Past Meets Present
Some pieces carry more than paint – they hold chapters of our story. This Belgian pub scene, requested by my brother, bridges my childhood years in Europe with my present calling as an artist. As a military family kid who spent twelve years overseas, this piece represents more than just a location – it’s a connection to those formative years that shaped who I am today.
The perfectionist in me (you know that voice, don’t you?) often hesitates, fearing to misrepresent these precious memories. But God gently reminds me that growth happens when we step beyond our comfort zone. Just as He guided our family through multiple countries and cultures, He guides each brush stroke now.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
🎨 Current Status:
- Working through architectural details
- Balancing memory with artistic interpretation
- Learning to trust the process over perfectionism
Join me in this journey of memory and creation during our upcoming Thursday evening sessions this May. Together, we’ll explore how art can help us process and celebrate our past while embracing God’s present calling.
#MilitaryBratLife #ArtisticJourney #FaithOverFear
Beauty in the Waiting
You know, sometimes we get so caught up in wanting everything to be “finished” and “perfect” that we miss the beauty of the process. These incomplete pieces of art remind me of what Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Just like these pieces on my easel, we’re all works in progress. Some days the colors flow easily, and other days we need to step back and let the layers dry. And that’s okay. That’s where the growth happens – in those quiet moments between layers, in the pauses between brush strokes, in the waiting.
✨ Join Our Creative Community:
- Share below: Which piece resonates most with your journey?
- What unfinished project is teaching you patience right now?
- Tag @SCSDesignsCo in your own WIP (Work In Progress) photos
- Subscribe for updates about our upcoming handcrafted markets and new item launches
This Friday (April 4) at 6:30 PM CT on Facebook @SCSDesignsCo – join me to see new listings arriving soon in the Etsy shop (scsdesignsco.etsy.com) and revisit the sea turtle painting again for some Q&A over mixed media elements.
Remember, every masterpiece starts as a work in progress. What matters isn’t just the destination, but the beauty we find along the way.
Grace + Peace,
Samantha
About the Author: Samantha is a faith-inspired artist and founder of SCS Designs Co., where she combines her love for art, faith, and community through creative expression.
Sprinkle some joy in the comments! 🎨