Inspirational & Religious Art
Paintings, Cards & Prints
by Mary Crittenden
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“. . . The prayer of a righteous man
is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
This is a painting expressing the importance of prayer, time with God. This is why Mary chose the seashore for the setting, a man in common clothing and the Lord looking over him listening to him. The bible says the strong man knows true strength comes from the Lord, that it not a sign of weakness. The bible and history show that kings, presidents, priests, ministers, women, children and old people pray to God.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4,5
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Man in Prayer Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Man in Prayer Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee;
do not be dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee
with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
In this painting Mary wants to remind people of God's great love for us. She chose passages from the bible to guide her in how to best express this in a painting. Illustrating a woman sitting on a bench with her face down to express the pain of despair that we go through at times in life. With the Lord behind her, His hand on her shoulder showing His omnipresence. Even when it seems as if the Lord is far away from us, no matter how dark or distressing this time in our lives may be, there is no burden too great that His love cannot penetrate. She felt the need to paint His face to express this love toward us.
“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” 11 Corinthians 1:3,4
The Comforter Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
The Comforter Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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“Take my yoke upon you,
and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy,
and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29,30
In this painting Mary wanted to encourage people in their walk with the Lord. She painted the Lord strong holding up a rugged cross with one hand and making the cross transparent to show that in the hands of our Lord, our trials of today can be made light and we can have victory in this life. His other hand is extended toward us to say He wants us to come to Him with our lives. The scars on His hands are to remind us of the price he paid for our sins.
"If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23
Burden Made Light Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Burden Made Light Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
and a light unto my path”
Psalms 119:105
This painting shows the backs of two children carrying Bibles and walking towards the light. Mary placed dark trees around them with branches and roots reaching up with claw-like appendages. Below the children she placed newspaper clippings with headlines such as “Two accused of bringing guns to school”, “Heavy metal Band sued in Teenagers Suicide”, and “Arrest Rate For Youths Soars in S.F”, showing that these are the things that keep kids down; but, if they walk towards the light and read the Bible, the darkness won't be able to get them. They will be able to see clearly the light is the Lord and the darkness is sin.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my path,” Psalm 119:105
Journey Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Journey Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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“I am the light of the world;
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but have everlasting life.”
John 8:12
In this painting Mary placed a teenager standing with his back to the viewer, holding a Bible. Next to him she placed a glowing image of Jesus with His arm around the teen whose eyes are fixed on the Lord. In the darkness below, other teenagers reach up with chains and shackles around their wrists, holding beer cans and smoking cigarettes reaching up wanting him to join them, they are slaves to sin their eyes are dark because their end is death. With this painting she wanted to direct people to Jesus. His way is full of light and if you're willing, He will give you a new life. His arm is around the boy to guide him. The reason Mary chose to use a teenager in this painting is because of the peer pressure that young people face. They are so vulnerable they don't realize that the decisions they make now can affect them for the rest of their lives. This message is for all of us.
"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:17,18
Jesus is the Way Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Jesus is the Way Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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“Fear thou not; for I am with thee;
do not be dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee
with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10
In
this painting Mary wanted to emphasize the friendship of Jesus.
She wanted to show that He’s a friend who is present all the time
(Psalms 139:8). A friend who cares
about the pain and struggles we go through.
Mary painted a girl down on the ground, her books scattered, a
teenager’s foot on one of her books and others laughing at her and Jesus
behind her to say there is hope for the hurting.
Jesus is a friend who loves us as we are we don’t have to be smart,
gifted, talented, good looking, rich or popular.
His love can’t be bought or earned it was paid for at the cross. His
offer is a gift but we need to believe in Him.
“For
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the
righteousness of God in Him.” 2
Corinthians 5:21
We
are not to think it strange when we are treated unkindly for being Christians.
“All things work together for good to them that love God and to them
that are called according His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 We are
called to walk in the light as He is in the light.
She
painted Jesus transparent because although we can't see Him, He's present
and placed Him behind the girl helping her up, He's our help and strength a
faithful friend.
"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:17,18
Jesus is a Friend Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Jesus is a Friend Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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“For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.”
Psalms 91:11
In this painting Mary chose to use very light pastel colors and placed
a girl and a boy on a rock in a lake with their feet dipping into the
water and angels about them. The angels were painted transparent with
wings and strong arms because the angels mentioned in the Bible are mighty
servants of God, able to protect us, win wars, deliver messages from God
and fight spiritual battles, which we can’t see.
Jesus was painted in the center top because we’re not to worship the
angels for the Lord our God commands that we love Him alone, with our
whole heart, soul, mind and strength. Matthew 22:37
We are not to live in fear but to have perfect peace knowing that there
is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. "For I am
persuaded that neither death or life, nor angels nor principalities nor
powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor
any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of
God." Ephesians 6: 38
"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them
falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs or
your head are numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than
many sparrows." Matthew 10: 31
Servants of the Lord Open Edition Print
Scripture under image.
12" x 16" Image Size 10" x 13"
Servants of the Lord Card 5" x 7"
Scripture printed inside (large print)
Heavy Cardstock Paper includes envelope
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LIMITED EDITION LITHOGRAPHIC PRINT
Prayer of
a Child
In this painting a mother is washing the laundry on a washboard, glances
at her son and sees him praying. His sister is placing her hands together as
she sees her brother doing. Mary wanted to say many things in this painting,
the training of our children to go to the Father in prayer at any time for
any reason. We never know who is watching us as the sister sees her brother
praying, so are we are light and salt in this world and as the mother has
lived the truth before the children and then they live it before others. The
light of God is seen in us and passed on.
Mary chose cool colors to express the time of day early in the morning.
She wanted the boy's face to be seen as peace. This peace doesn't depend
on circumstances it is given to us through a relationship with God through
Jesus Christ.
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever
humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 8:3,4
Prayer of a Child Limited Edition Lithographic Print 650 S/N
Print size 22" x 27.125"
Image size 20" x 24.5"""
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“The Lord Jesus took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,
which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “
This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you
drink it.”For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until he comes
again.”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Acrylic on Board
24" x 30"
In this painting, Mary wanted to remind people of God’s great love and the sacrifice made at the cross for us.
She painted a suffering Christ, which is seen in His face, hands and body. In John it says He was flogged with a lead-tipped whip, a crown
of long sharp thorns was put on His head, they mocked Him, beat Him with a stick and then nailed Him to the cross.
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
Mary placed light around Jesus because He is the light of the world, made Him transparent because He is risen; She painted the men, women and
children in this painting praying, to remind us to examine our hearts.
“So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the
blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. ” 1 Corinthians 11:27,28
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For more information on Inspirational, Religious, or Portrait paintings, prints or cards, contact Mary at:
Tel: 530-475-0373
Email:
maryan@spiritualart.com
Please remember that all art is protected under United States Copyright law, by the individual artist and/or their agent(s). No images or text may be downloaded, transferred or stored on any electronic retrieval system or otherwise.
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Other Inspirational Links
Moody Bible Institute
Campus Crusade For Christ
Women today online
The Missing Link - Linking Troubled Youth & Adults
with Life-Changing Programs
GOSHEN has an extensive search engine, daily devotionals,
free online Bible study tools, Christian messageboards, free classified ads, and daily religion news coverage of church-state
issues, revival, religious freedom and persecution,
evangelism, and missions. Another excellent Christian search is
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