I have been an artist and a Baha’i since about 1978. I use my art in many ways: as a business, as service, as expression and, for the last few years, as worship. I’ve longed for years to be able to express from my soul for many years. Just more recently I found myself forming images in my head during prayer, meditation and reading the writings, and started painting them. The three images I’m submitting are examples of that process. My three new books, Gather All People, Joy Gives Us Wings and Where the Light Comes In are illustrated quotes of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s and are the result of being inspired by our beloved writings. In addition, I use my art as service in two ways: I illustrate for a Baha’i-inspired nonprofit, Oceti Wakan, with Cindy Catches, a long-time pioneer on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and a dear friend who taught me the Faith. I assist her in creating curriculum for children and youth for the prevention of addiction and suicide, and to preserve Lakota culture. Along with my family, I also do art projects with Central American refugee children and create art from these artworks for fundraising and awareness.
