Artist Bio:
Brenda Christine Barnett
How did you first get involved with painting?
My dad always encouraged me to paint, and my parents provided me with the opportunity to begin oil painting with local artist Frieda Stern, from Switzerland. We used to sing "Adlewiess" as we painted together out in her studio. Frieda taught me her best "secrets." What a great time in my life that was.
What influences you as a painter?
God, the Bible, my life in Christ, sermons I hear, and dreams that God gives me. God has let me know that everything I put on canvas is to honor Him. I "preach" through paint.
Do you specialize in a style or concept?
I love to paint on large canvases. My husband builds my frames and canvases that are up to 6' tall. I love to paint big! The concept is so simple; it's all about God. Everything else is a waste of time and talent as far as I'm concerned.
How does your faith impact your art?
When I was 23 God came into my life in a radical way. He delivered me out of a life of drugs and desperation. He has truly done some supernatural things in my life. Although I had always gone to church, it wasn't until I wandered down to the beach to "find God," that He revealed Himself to me. I had always told my friends that all I needed was an oil well so I could just sit back and collect cash. On that day at the beach, I was just walking through a neighborhood down in Newport Beach. I had made a decision that since I couldn't find love, I would walk into the ocean and allow myself to drown. I scaled a wall to get to the beach and right in front of me was a huge oil well; right in the middle of this residential area. At that moment I felt God speak to me, "you've been telling everyone you wanted an oil well, and I am the Oil Well. If you draw from me, you will never lack any good thing." My life was changed in that moment. I ran through the streets of Newport telling people. "I found God... I found God!" Since then, it has been my desire for people to see the Lord in all of my work. Even if my painting isn't a cross, a picture of Jesus, etc., it's my hope that all my paintings point people to Christ.
What's the struggle of every artist?
I don't know about every artist, but I struggled for a long time with wondering if my art was "good enough." Thankfully I just don't care anymore. I don't feel I need anyone to validate me, or my work. I am God's servant. I am His artist. I paint for Him, to glorify Him. If I please the Lord then how awesome is that! This can't be about me. it's about starting conversations that ultimately get us to the Cross of Jesus. It’s about helping others.