Shine your light canvas | Krystal

Hello friends! Today I wanted to share with you a touching moment I shared with a patient I was caring for while at work, and how I incorporated using a page from the bible that patient had ripped out and given to me onto a mixed media style canvas and using the July Faith art box.

I work on a neuro/ stroke floor in the hospital, where we see many people who have had strokes, traumatic brain injuries,  and some with cardiac issues.  One day I was caring for a patient who had a brain injury which had affected their speech, reasoning and ability to communicate the words they wanted to say, instead profanity, name calling and vulgar words blurted out. After a few days of working with this patient I became close to them understanding their condition and realizing the vulgar speech was part of the injury and not their true character or intentional.  Some of my co workers would laugh and poke fun of the patient thinking the profanity and name calling was intentional.  It hurt my heart to hear how some would talk back to the patient.

One night the patient needed me to get some stuff from their belonging bag, which I noticed was full of study bibles, and notebooks. I then began to talk and ask about their faith and the patient with perfect speech recited John 3:16 to me.  This was huge since this was the first normal sentence with clear precise words I had heard from the patient .  After giving them their bible they opened it up to a random page and ripped it out and handed it to me.  When I looked at the page it had my life verse on it. Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  It was a touching moment for me,  which felt like an affirmation from God telling me to let my light shine.  I then prayed with the patient and took my bible page home with me, and the memory of that moment.

Supplies Used:

1.  July Faith Art Box from Creative Retreat
2. Subscriber exclusive stencil in the May Faith Art box from Creative Retreat
3. 4×4 Canvas
4. Paint Brush
5. Clear Gesso
6. Acrylic Paint
7. Baby Wipe
8. Page from the bible
9. Ink Pad

 

I first started out with brushing a coat of clear gesso over the canvas then laying the bible page over the canvas, and then applying another coat of clear gesso over the bible page to seal it onto the canvas and then let it dry.

Once the gesso was dry I took some acrylic paint and added it in various areas on the canvas.  I then lightly blended the paint together using a damp baby wipe, and allowed the paint to dry.

  After the paint was dry I took my baby wipe bunched up dipped it into some paint and blotted it on the stencil to give a light wonky diamond background.

Next I took the stamp set from the July Faith art box and stamped the saying “Your light will shine.” onto the canvas.  I used my black signo pen to color in the little spots the ink didn’t go into the canvas all the way.  Last I added some of the enamel dots to the canvas for some added color pops.  I hope you have found some inspiration to create a fun little canvas to add to your decor or to gift to a friend.  I have mine in my office to help encourage me to continue to let my light shine bright for the Lord for others to see.  Thanks for stopping by and reading! I would love to see what you are all doing with your kits! Be sure to use the hashtag #CreativeRetreatKits if you are on instagram so I can follow along!

Let  your light shine friends!

Krystal