The New President of Corban University

24"x 30"

acrylic on canvas

I finished the painting of Dr. Sheldon Nord. He is the new President at Corban University in Salem, OR. 
I got to meet him before I painted his portrait. As he told us his story and his reason for taking the Presidency at the school,  he got very emotional about Daniel from the Old Testament in the Bible:

 " I get emotional about Daniel in Babylon because we are living in a post-Christian culture, and probably one of the most relativistic societies ever.  We must be about preparing the next generation of Daniels who know, respect and follow God's word.  Our children will face unprecedented challenges in being salt and light.  The issues of our day demand courage, boldness and resolve like never before.

To Christ be all glory!!"

I got very emotional too!

I read through the book of Daniel, looking for a quote, but I decided that what he said summed it up perfectly! So, I asked him to send me his quote in his own writing:

I ended up tracing his writing onto my painting using Derwent Inktense pencils. You can add water to the dry pencil or wet the surface to create a strong, clear color wash.

  " Inktense pencils can be used dry for rich, intense color or washed out with a little water to create a vivid translucent effect. Once dry, the color is permanent and can be worked over with other media." 

I drew it with a dry pencil and then added a clear water wash. 
I wish I had these!

 They are Sakura Koi Water Brushes. "A fine, flexible brush tip and a barrel handle with a plug to carry water." 

If you have any other ideas about how I could have put the writing on, I love to hear them!


Listening to:

Truth For Life- Alistair Begg - Daniel

The Alton Browncast

Splendid Table

Old Masters Atelier © ProTrack

I bought an Old Masters Atelier © ProTrack  recommended by my good friend, David Darrow..

It is a mahl stick . "A mahl stick is a stick or thin pole about a meter in length (three feet) with a ball-shape pad at one end, used as an aid in painting," (About.com ) 

Because of my stroke, I can't hold a mahl stick because my right hand doesn't work. (yet!)

The ProTrack  is essential for me because it has a metal piece that screws into your easel.....

and it has another metal piece that holds the mahl stick.

 I can move the mahl stick back and forth or simply remove it.

There is a screw where I can change the direction of the mahl stick.

 Then when I paint, I can add little details...

or draw a straight line!

Here is a video by David Gray and Old Masters Atelier  promoting the ProTrack.

Thank you David Darrow!

Listening to:

The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak. Excellent narrator Allan Corduner!

     "It's just a small story really, about, among other things, a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery.

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist: books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids - as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul."