Good Friday 2020 – Timelapse
Empty Nests
I was walking on the greenway with the fam last week when I stumbled across a tiny little bird’s nest on the edge of the blacktop path. No birds were anywhere in sight and it looked as if it had been discarded – perhaps thrown there by a lawnmower that moved through earlier that morning. […]
Have Faith
When the hubs handed me these flowers today he said, “These have a little summer in them, but they’re also a reminder that change is on its way…”I needed that – after a year, I mean a WEEK of virtual 4th grade – technology failures, tween meltdowns, screen fatigue, off the hook anxiety, and everyone […]
Grace for the Pivot
Today feels like I’m squeezing lemons to make lemonade…only to realize I’ve nicked up my hands while slicing the lemons. You know the tiny little cuts you don’t even realize are there, until the acidic juice hits and makes you want booboo kisses from your mama. Today I want booboo kisses from my mama. I’m […]
The Rising Tide
The news is bad. Each day it seems worse…and more complex…and more uncertain. Daily I have to fight my addiction to MORE information. Higher death tolls, faster spread rate, lack of protective equipment…the list goes on and on. I hear the words that we’re doing good, but nothing I read sounds very good, and it […]
“With You in Mind”
These days of fear and unrest can be difficult to navigate…but art and music can be salve to the aching soul. This painting was done during a time of worship and devotion on Good Friday as we considered the sacrifice of Jesus and joined in His sufferings.
The Dust & The Dirt
In my family, we didn’t do much in the way of observing Lent. It was a bit too liturgical for the church I grew up in, and as kids, our focus was solely on frilly dresses and white patent leather shoes, and OF COURSE, Easter baskets and bunnies and the goodies that would leave me […]
Deep
I’d been through the darkest years of my life and had somehow survived thanks to the kindness of close friends and church family. But it was such an anomaly – an uncharacteristic blip on the screen – that it was easy to just tie a millstone around it all and send it straight to the […]
Listen
Listen…to the sound of the silence around you, the beating of the heart within you. Listen to the feelings coursing through your veins that have never been given the power of voice. Listen to the memories of old – moaning in deep, hollow tones on cold, dark days. Listen to the ache of long-held regret […]
Life Over Death
It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve painted during a worship service, let alone painted as my husband played drums on the worship team. We love it when we get to use our gifts in tandem worship. We’re just better when we’re together. I’d decided during the week to give myself much grace in […]
The Way of the Cross
This devotion guide was created by my friend Tracy Grubbs, Creative Arts Director at Lake Forest Church. I’m so proud of her and the weight that this project bears. because (from what our research shows) it’s the only Protestant “Stations of the Cross” guide taken straight from scripture in existence. Tracy’s mix of ancient text and contemporary prose make for a […]
Thank God for Lop-sided Boobies
I’ve scorned my lop-sided boobies for most of my life. My mom said they’d even out once I had kids…which never happened. Hormone shifts just don’t come pre-packaged with adoption. But yesterday, a childhood friend lost both of her boobies, and today I’m aware of them on every woman I pass and catch the reflection […]
Beyond The Wall
I painted for a Women’s Worship Night at CityChurch recently. It was a chance for the ladies to intentionally connect with God and each other before the holiday madness began. I set up my easel and paints in a back corner of the fellowship hall, as my heart fluttered with anticipation at what God might […]
Out of Brokenness
Heartbreak. Disappointment. Rejection. Abuse. Betrayal. The heavy stuff of life. Sometimes it feels like someone is standing on your chest. Sometimes it feels like everything that connects you to this earth has been untethered and your heart is adrift. Sometimes it feels like you dare not exhale or it will all crumble to pieces around […]
Brave Wings – Teal Diva
Let’s be honest: we’ve all lost far too many friends to cancer. I’ve been to way too many funerals for friends that had so much life yet to live. A few years ago our neighbor was given the terrifying news that her discomfort and bloating were due to ovarian cancer. Something none of us ever […]
Painting at Lake Forest Church | “Believe”
One of my favorite pieces of imagery is from the movie “Gladiator”…when Maximus walks through the wheat field and runs his hand lightly across the top of the soft tassels. It’s one of those visuals that continues to stick with me over time…so simple, but so rich with emotion. It’s as though I can feel […]
Painting for CharlotteOne | Micah 6:8
My friend David Hickman is a visionary. Years ago my husband and I stood in a church parking lot and talked about dreams, holy burdens, and the heart of God concerning the city of Charlotte. David had a BIG dream…a GOD-sized dream…a dream of gathering young adults beneath the cross of Jesus…regardless of denominational differences, […]
Luttrell Commission | “Passages” (Rhythms of Grace)
There are defining moments in our lives. Moments where we mark the passage of time. Already with our 3 1/2-year-old, we’ve experienced several landmarks in what we hope will be a lifetime filled with them. And already, we are wanting to pull up on the reins a bit to slow time’s passing. Already, it’s barreling […]
Defining Moments
Last October I was invited to join a group of artists for a video shoot atop one of the uptown high-rises. We were each asked to paint unique elements on a variety of stained glass panels forming a larger-than-life hourglass filled with sand. Threads of that day’s shoot have since been woven into a powerful video […]
My Bride…My Beloved
Each worship event I paint for is special…because each time is different. Each has it’s own theme, flow and vibe. But last night was one of the most truly special evenings I’ve yet to experience in this God-journey I’ve been on for the past 6 years. The worship, led by the tender hearts of the […]
Painting at The Gathering
Sunday my husband and I were honored to serve the fantastic people of The Gathering: he let God speak through his rhythms on the drum kit, I let God speak through my paint and brushes on canvas. I can’t tell you how amazing it is to bring our different forms worship to the Lord together. […]
Barnes & Kennedy Commissions | “For the Love of…”
I have some customers who have become more like friends. They’ve followed my creative journey, showed up at my art shows, and even invited me to paint as their group served at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen. Yesterday, they declared their undying love for each other and made life-changing promises as they exchanged rings before God, […]
The Creative Booty Call
Chances are, at some point in your creative career, you’ve fallen prey to the Creative Booty Call…maybe without even realizing it. To define Creative Booty Call we’ll use the same characteristics as those used in the cultural reference: the phone rings late at night or there’s a 3 a.m. knock on your door the person […]
Robles Commission
This is a series of pieces I painted for my friends Rich & Jenny Robles. Each canvas represents a principle they value and hope to foster in their family. ©2012 Melody Hogan. All rights reserved.
Rubbo Commission | “Back To Back”
Commissioned painting for my dear friend Karen Rubbo. Kudos to Michael Rubbo for the great birthday gift idea for his bride. They gave me free reign, and this is what God wanted to speak over her…how cool is that?!
Couch Commission | “On The Heights”
A friend of mine, Jamie Couch, commissioned me to do a painting for a friend of his who’s husband died recently in a hunting accident. He leaves behind a lovely wife, two strapping young boys and a baby on the way. So honored to be asked to paint a memorial piece for them…humbled really.
Clark Rogers Benefit | “Hope” & “Love”
These paintings were done in honor of our great friend and best man, Clark Rogers, during a benefit concert held on his behalf. The “Hope” painting was auctioned off…and in an act of selfless generosity, the winning bidder donated his bid, letting the next bidder in line take home the painting, so the piece […]
Chips and Cheese
My husband and I snuggled in the other night to watch a movie. We had our feet propped up, our warm blankets draped cozily across us, and our standard fare of tortilla chips, pub cheese, sodas, and the remote lined up just within arms reach. Sheer perfection. The only thing that came close to dulling […]
Pizza – With Mercy on the Side
I know we’ve all been there at one time in life or another – where the very thing you need to happen just isn’t coming soon enough and your heart is waging the war between what is on it’s way and what reality has to offer right now. Truly, I think this is one of our most significant […]
Princess Warrior
I am a Princess Warrior…with face set like flint and heart strapped into place, I answer the call into battle. My hands do not tremble, my knees do not quiver, my heart does not faint. White-hot Strength runs through my veins, once cold with crippling fear. I am a Princess Warrior…efficient and agile, rushing to […]
From Absurd to Absolutely
As an act of utter defiance against my impending 40th birthday, my husband and I decided to train for a triathlon. Actually, decided isn’t quite the right word to use…more accurately, I was coerced. You see, it’s a crazy enough notion in its own right – this “exert-yourself-til-you-just-wanna-die-while-someone-actually-times-you” kind of thing…but for those who really […]