Welcome to Sophie's Nature Art!

Today I would like to introduce you to a picture that I took for a very special friend. Like me, she is a hopeless romantic. She loves old castles, fortresses and especially churches, as she is a pastor. We spent a long time looking for a motif that she would like. Castles,
I haven't really dared to approach castles and churches yet. But as my girlfriend is also a passionate scout, a romantic landscape scene wasn't a bad idea.

We both love nature, mountains and forests. So after a long search, I found an idyllic motif. It was a very beautiful, albeit very complex motif. I simplified it considerably, because the test image had already pushed me to my artistic limits.

Just getting the perspective right was very difficult for me. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to capture the desired perspective and depth in the original either.

What was equally challenging was painting the stones and rocks. This has been difficult for me since the beginning of my painting career. To paint this picture, I watched countless YouTube tutorials. I painted over the stones several times and started all over again.

Even though it was a rocky process, it was fun because I love challenges! It's the only way to move forward. Nevertheless, the picture cost me a lot of nerves.

There are certainly many things that could be improved in this picture. But while I was painting it and afterwards, I really felt like living in a cabin like this in the forest for a while - far away from the hustle and bustle of our world. When I painted the picture - it was in January/February 2020 - Covid-19 began to spread in the world. This painting, on the other hand, knows nothing of this virus. It is a different world. A world where you are one with nature. There is no internet, no electricity and no running water. But there is the warmth of a crackling fire, the serenity of nature and the mysterious sounds of the forest.

Nature was particularly important to me during the lockdown. Separated from work, friends and family, I found a piece of home in nature. When you go for a walk in nature, you are much closer to the creator of these marvels than in the artificial spaces we have created. When I walk in the forest or hike in the mountains, I see the love of the Creator in creation. He created the mighty trees that defy all wind and weather because they have a massive root system. It lets the small, inconspicuous flowers grow that we so easily overlook.

Little birds happily chirp their song as they diligently search for food for their young and themselves. When I watch the birds flying carefree, a special Bible text always comes to mind. Jesus once said to his disciples:

„Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your daily life - about whether you have enough to eat, drink and wear. Isn't there more to life than just food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't have to sow, reap or gather provisions, because your heavenly Father provides for them. And you are much more important to him than they are. Can all your worries prolong your life by even a single moment? No. And why do you worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They do not work and do not sew their own clothes. Yet even King Solomon, in all his splendor, was not clothed as gloriously as they. If God cares so wonderfully for the flowers that bloom today and wither tomorrow, how much more does he care for you? Your faith is so small! Stop worrying about your food and drink or your clothes. Why do you want to live like people who don't know God and take these things so seriously? Your heavenly Father knows your needs. Make the kingdom of God your most important concern, live in God's righteousness and he will give you everything you need. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for each day brings its own burdens. Today's worries are enough for today. „

Especially in times like these, when you never know what tomorrow will bring, it is good to know that there is someone who is above it all. He cares about every little bird that flies through the air. But we humans are so much more precious than a bird, because he paid for us with his blood. That is why anyone who gives him first place in their life will never truly lack anything. I have experienced this very often. No matter how hopeless the situation was, the one who makes no mistakes always had a solution ready.

How wonderful and liberating it is to know that we don't have to worry about our future. God gives us the strength we need for each day. Tomorrow he will give us new strength for the day ahead.

Have you ever taken God at his word and tested whether he stands by it?

In the picture you can see the Calvary in Schongau, where I love to go for walks.

In the next post you can see this year's birthday present for this friend.