A note from the artist
One day while visiting our house in Fayetteville, TN, my friend Alison noticed my paintings hanging on the wall, and with her dry wit said, “So, what did you do…just wake up one morning and say ’ hey, I think I’m gonna be an artist.’ ?” The truth is I was created by God to create. God made me an artist. I just had to go through a process to get to where I am today. I have seen people I know and love make a living with their art, and that encouraged me. I realized I had to give up society’s notions of what I “had to be” or “do” to make a living. I also had to give up my conceptions of who I “was” and then realize who God wanted me to be. I am convinced all those preconceived notions that the world tells us are baloney! My purpose in this precious life is to love God, love myself, and love others as I love myself. I know that sounds simple; and although some may say it’s easy to do these three things, for those who are strong willed like me, it’s a journey. I will spend the rest of my days walking out this journey, this purpose. I will spend the rest of my life doing what the Holy Spirit leads me to do, including my art. You see, I sign every painting “V. Smith W/Christ”, because without him I am nothing. I have no joy, no peace, no love, and certainly no artistic ability. This is not to say I am a “holy roller” or a “saint”. I am far from it. Honey, you name a sin; and I promise you, if I haven’t committed it, I’ve thought about it. I just love the Lord and appreciate what he’s done for me. Signing my paintings “…W/Christ” is my way of telling the world that “He is mine & I am his: come on and try him out if you haven’t yet.” My friend, Alison, being a Christian also, understood all this and understood that I had to do what God was leading me to do. The truth is he was leading me in this direction from birth, through childhood, through adolescence, and even college. (I just wasn’t listening) The Lord used many things to align my spirit with his, to make me realize who I was in his eyes, and to make me realize my artistic gifts were given to me to glorify him. Two things that stand out are the birth of my daughter and a statement in a Joyce Meyer book. In the book, Joyce Meyer says something to this effect: “Imagine what your life would have been like had the people around you done what God was telling them to do.” I don’t know about you, but that shook me to my core. I realized how much I loved my daughter, my husband, and everyone God has placed in my life…and I had to listen.
Thank you for buying one of my paintings. Just so you know, I pray while I paint. I pray so that the energy that flows through me and through my paint brush is filled with God’s love. I believe wherever my paintings go, will have the positive energy given to me ( and now you) from the Holy Spirit.
Thanks again, and God’s blessings to you and yours.
Victory Smith,
Hazel Green, AL
