Peeling Back the Layers
by Hazel Holland
Title
Peeling Back the Layers
Artist
Hazel Holland
Medium
Painting - Watercolor
Description
Did you ever feel like God was peeling back the layers of pain in your life in order to expose something that you didn't really want to see? He will do that you know, because He longs to restore our wounded souls and bring healing to our hurting hearts.
Thirty years ago when I painted just the onion part of this watercolor, it was the ugliness of unforgiveness that was buried deep within my heart. But I was not yet ready to really see the ugliness that was in my own heart. All the wrongs that had been done against me as a child, and all the pain that had been inflicted upon me as an adult by my own sins and the sins of others...it had all left its ugly scars.
Then later... in God's timing, He showed me that my heart was like a red onion, I saw that each white layer of pain and unforgiveness were the scars in my life that were always covered by a red layer of His saving blood.
I not only recognized that I was covered by Christ's blood and forgiven for my sins, but the sins of others done against me were also covered by His blood! Even before I had repented of the hardness of my own heart, I had been forgiven!
The truth of God's heart of agape love brought me to my knees. The goodness of God led me to repentance. It broke my heart to see such love revealed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for me.
Seeing God's goodness revealed to me like this freed me to forgive myself, and let go of the hurt and wounds from my past. It set me free to love others unconditionally with God's agape love.
So tonight I finished the painting by placing the imagery of the peeled onion on a colorful patchwork quilt background that I achieved by cutting, overlapping, and then wetting with water colored pieces of bleeder tissue paper. Each piece of the "quilt" represents different aspects of my life that God has restored and healed by His Spirit.
Of course healing and forgiveness is an on-going process. But it's the only way to live life to the fullest. Because His love has restored my soul and healed my heart, I want you to experience His healing grace, too.♥
FEATURED IN FOLLOWING FAA GROUPS:
* Images That Excite You
* Beauty
* Created By My Hands
* Christian Theme Artwork
* Memories and Nostalgia
PLACEMENT IN FAA CONTESTS:
* Won 1st place in "Abstract Art" contest 3/21/15
* Top Finisher in FAA contest "Your Best Imaginative Artworks"
* Triple Tie for 3rd place in FAA contest "Emotional Abstract Paintings"
* Won 2nd place in "Abstract Watercolor Only " contest 5/2/16
* Top Finisher in "Puzzles Challenging" contest 1/1/17
Uploaded
May 9th, 2013
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Viewed 1,193 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/09/2024 at 3:43 AM
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Comments (74)
OLena Art
Your watercolor skills are amazing and textural layers are a visual feast for the eyes. F/L
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 Views on One Image Group's Special Features Nominations For Promotion #27 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group....L/F/Tw
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Feel free to place your featured image in the Features Archive and any Genre specific Archive l/f/p
Anne Gifford
Not only the artwork but its significance is very moving and thoughtful, Hazel. Very very nicely done.
Gary F Richards
Outstanding Peeling Back Layers Abstract composition, lighting, shading, great color and artwork! F/L voted
Gigi Thomas
Kuddos!Your awesome creation has been FEATURED on the ABSTRACT FEATURES DAILY GROUP Home Page! Congrats! Self Posting Available on the Discussion page and daily promotion on 100 clicks thread.
Hazel Holland replied:
Gigi, thank you so much for featuring "Peeling Back the Layers" in the group "ABSTRACT FEATURES GROUP". Your support is truly appreciated!
Gary F Richards
Spectacular abstract story composition, lighting, shading, colors and artwork! F/L voted for this piece in the contest ABSTRACT WITH A STORY
Brian Tada
Hazel, what a great work of art with a tremendous message of healing and hope! Many, many blessings over your work. F/L
Genevieve Esson
This is very unique and beautiful work Hazel! Love the design, beautiful colors and message! =) Vf
Linaji Creating
Absolutely Excellent Work! CONGRATULATIONS on being featured in our group: All Abstract Art….SPECIAL GALLERY #3 OF 3 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Here is the link to your Gallery: https://fineartamerica.com/groups/all-abstract-art.html?showmessage=true&messageid=6128985&targetid=6128996#6128996
Hazel Holland replied:
Linaji, thank you so much for the feature in the All Abstract Art group! So much appreciated!
Randy Rosenberger
Hurrah! Your lovely piece of art from your portfolio of beautiful artistic pieces, has been chose to appear as a feature on the homepage of the Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery Group of Fine Art America. I am proud that you have chosen to be a member of our family of friends and fine artists. You will be featured more than most groups feature works, as I change up and work on my homepage each and every day. It is an honor to have you as an active member of our group. Thanks for sharing your lovely pieces of artwork with us.
Hazel Holland replied:
Randy, thank you so much for the feature in the WFS group! So much appreciated!