Behind the Brush: Celebrating Spring
"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.
The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
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Sweet friend, we have finally entered into spring! Hallelujah and PRAISE THE LORD!
Don’t get me wrong, winter has its perks (no mosquitos or pollen), but spring has a unique way of stirring the soul, especially for an artist.
As the world awakens from its winter slumber, the air fills with a sense of renewal that’s not just palpable—it's absolutely inspiring.
The balmy weather, endless blue skies, and the playful scene of birds flitting (and flirting) among trees bursting with new growth—these moments are where my heart finds joy, and my soul bursts with creativity.
I simply feel more ALIVE!
Side note: While I wax poetic about the beauty and wonder of spring, Hubby is grumbling because here in Summerville, SC we’ve entered high pollen and allergy season. If it were up to my sweet man we’d live in a frozen tundra 24/7/365. To his credit, some days you can literally see drifts of pollen being blown down the street. Everything is covered in the yellow, sticky stuff. But hey, we have FLOWERS! :)
A Season of Inspiration
Each year, as the first signs of spring emerge, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the outdoors, trusty camera in hand.
The vibrant blooms, from the bright yellow jasmine cascading over our southern fences to the inviting pink azaleas, beckon to be captured—not only through my camera lens but also on canvas.
During these explorations, I’m constantly listening for the voice of the Father, attentive to the many lessons He teaches through His creation.
One story in particular sticks in my mind today.
Many years ago when my kids were small (and I was enjoying a much-needed break), I sat on my front porch watching the rain gently fall on my garden. Weeds had sprung up and were beginning to choke some of the tender, new growth of my good plants.
As I watched the soft rain moisten the ground, Abba began to explain that it is easier to pull up weeds after a soaking rain, as the roots come apart from the soil and other good plants without much effort.
Then He said,
“It is the same with you. When you have distractions, unforgiveness and other things that begin to choke the tender seedlings of your faith, sit with Me. Allow Holy Spirit to water the ground of your heart. You’ll find those weeds much easier for Me to remove as well.”
The Artistic Process: From Photo to Canvas
Transforming these floral snapshots into paintings is truly a fun journey. It begins with selecting the right image—the one that excites me the most and captures a hint of the Divine. I’m looking for an image that brings joy and tells a story.
Once chosen, I work with composition, cropping the image in such a way to bring out the subject’s natural beauty.
Sketching the basic outlines, mixing the first shades of paint, and applying the initial strokes—each step is a heartfelt celebration of the Creator’s artistry.
Techniques and Tools
My approach to painting involves layering colors to capture the depth and vibrancy of nature’s palette.
Depending on the subject, I choose between acrylics for their brightness and versatility, or watercolors for their fluid, ethereal qualities.
Each brushstroke is deliberate, crafted to enhance the texture and dimension of the subject, each a careful study in pigment.
Each painting I’ve created has taught me something different, and challenged me in ways I’ve never imagined.
Some paintings develop quickly, while others take longer to be fleshed out. There are days I’ve had to walk away from the painting and allow the vision to “marinate” before I continue. I know a piece is finally finished when I have a settled peace in my heart.
It is a study in patience. I’ve learned not to rush ahead but to let things develop as the Spirit leads.
Sharing the Journey
I document these creative sessions, sharing the progress through my blog, Facebook and Instagram.
It's not just about showcasing the final artwork but about sharing the journey of creation and the many stories behind each piece.
Each blog post and update invites you into my studio, offering a glimpse behind the brush—a story told in colors and textures, words and wonder. It is such an honor to share these things with each of you.
Current Works and Future Projects
I’m currently working on a commission piece, and I’m anxious to share it once it is finished (hopefully in the next week or so). It is the largest watercolor painting I’ve created to date, inspired by Psalm 92:12-15:
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright;
He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.'"
I’m also excited to return to my Year of Grace series of floral paintings.
January (Hope in Bloom), February (Strength, Dignity & Grace), March (Light of Glory) and April (Winter is Past) have been completed, and May is next. Hooray!
Are you a May baby? I can’t wait to share my next painting with you! Make sure you’re following me on Facebook, Instagram, and here at LoriDatusFineArt.com.
I also received a request recently for some custom painted bible covers for a sweet set of 1 year old twins. I ordered kids bibles for them, but I also discovered and ordered white canvas-covered ESV journaling bibles for adults.
What a beautiful, meaningful gift to give to a loved one! With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I can’t think of a sweeter gift for a Christian Mama. Reach out to me if you think you’d love something like this for yourself, a family member or a friend.
In Closing…
Stay tuned for sneak peeks, and maybe even find a bloom that you’d love to see every day on your own wall.
You can visit my current collection of original art, giclee prints or fine art canvases in my shop.
As the season unfolds, I hope you’ll take the time to embrace all that spring has to offer. Get out into nature, walk a new path, pick a bouquet of flowers and proudly display them on your kitchen table. I pray you’ll shake off the last dregs of winter, do a little spring-cleaning of heart, mind and home, and play hop-scotch with your kids in the driveway. Swing on the porch with your sweetheart, and if you live here in the South, don’t forget your Claritin!
Mostly, I pray you’ll take some time to simply sit in the wonder of the season with the Father. He has so many lovely things to show you!
With joy,
Lori