Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Anna Armstrong

Art has always been a place of rest me, never my primary occupation or hobby, but always available for a peaceful moment of inspiration. I have lived in Denver over a decade and attended Park for most of that time. My husband and I met in here in Colorado and have two wonderful daughters, ages 3.5 and 1.5. I love the spending time being active outdoors. The hills, lakes, and trees are a magnet to God’s glory! Outside of home I lead people experience, culture, and communications at a health care start up.

Piece

I chose to focus my work on Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

This verse has been a comfort to me in the anxious nights of my teenage years, sleepless nights of young motherhood, and I now pray it over my daughters at bedtime.

I was struck with the image of a parent and child at bedtime, a beautiful evening swirling around. This is my humble attempt to portray that scene.

PROCESS: Acrylic

I typically take a more abstract approach so this piece was a departure from my comfort zone! In was a fun challenge to draw precise lines and mix the night colors with acrylic paint instead of my typical oil medium. I worked on this over a series of Saturday mornings with my daughter next to me painting her own “dark sky.”

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: LouAnn Summers

I am Brent’s wife for 45 years and mother of four children, grandmother of seven (+ 2 bonus). Along with fine arts, I enjoy photography and crafts of any type. If it’s creative, I enjoy it!

Piece

In this picture, I aimed to depict how there are many foes raining down to destroy us. Then when I considered a shield, I first thought about an umbrella. But that was too flimsy to protect us. Then I considered a metal umbrella. Ha ha, but that was a bit too difficult for me. And then it dawned on me that the way God has shielded me, delivered me and protected me even from his wrath, is through the blood of his son, Jesus! By dying on the cross, Jesus delivered me from every foe! In that sense, his blood shields me from all that opposes me.

When I am overwhelmed by what opposes me, Jesus lifts my sad, weary head to look into his eyes and to rest in his care!

PROCESS: Acrylic

This is an acrylic painting depicting some of my thoughts on the 3rd Psalm.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Bruce Butler

I’m Bruce, and I’ve been part of Park for nearly 13 years. I’m married to Jamie Rosenberry, and we have a two-year-old and another child on the way (likely having arrived by the time you’re reading this!). I’ve worked as a Graphic Designer for about 13 years, originally freelancing under the name Wise Bison, and now full-time with The Fire and Smoke Society, a spice company known for its killer rubs. I also play guitar for Park and in two bands: Last Ditch and Our Violet Room. Outside of design and music, I co-manage Victory House, a sober living home within the Providence Network, and love specialty coffee, cooking for friends and family, and attending shows.

Piece

I chose Psalm 2 as the basis for this piece. The psalm describes nations rising in pride against God, only for God to laugh at their defiance. He establishes His Son—the Messiah—as heir to all nations, calling rulers to serve Him and to “kiss the Son” while rejoicing with trembling.

I represented this theme by illustrating six rebellions against God throughout history, using the number six symbolically—representing human incompleteness and our tendency to fall short. These are not all cases of atheism vs. Christianity, nor are they equivalent in scope or suffering. The six rebellions are:

1. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)
2. Pharaoh’s persecution of the Hebrews in Egypt (Exodus 7–12)
3. The statue of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3)
4. The Roman Colosseum and Christian persecution (1st–3rd Century AD)
5. The Crusades (1095–1291 AD)
6. Christian Nationalism (present day)

The last two were/are carried out by people claiming to act in God’s name, but their actions in the name of Christ are antithetical to His teachings, with a complete lack of trembling and wisdom by their nation’s “kings.” Jesus, over and over, chose to disregard government, military, or any political movement as a means to achieve his goals, instead calling the Church to action through love. To clarify, there should be an overlap with the government’s pursuits and Jesus commands, like loving your neighbors, caring for the least of these, widows, and orphans, and so on, but Jesus never elected to use government as the means to carry out his mission.

Above these six examples is an enormous, ornate crown with an Alpha & Omega symbol at the crest, displaying God being the king, set apart and unfathomable. Radiating rays shine from the crown, symbolizing His ridicule of humanity’s vain attempts at power and control.

PROCESS: Digital Art

For the process, I used Adobe Illustrator for the line work, trying a few ideas but landing on this concept of the crown above 6 rebellions. Trying to represent them symbolically with minimal detail was a challenge, and after starting with two design styles with the symbols at the bottom, I paused and went to work on the crown, which was more fleshed out in my mind. After finishing that, the rest of the “rebellions” fell into place quickly. I brought that into Photoshop and tried a few textures, but the brilliant colors of the Final felt most fitting for the unfathomable God in His glory.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Drew Button

Drew Button grew up in Colorado drawing pictures of animals and became interested in pen and ink artwork in high school. His first ‘sketchbook’ contained all the quintessential imagery you’d associate with an ’emo’. Drawing became a way for that angsty teenage Drew to reconcile his faith and morals with the world around him. Family members and teachers encouraged Drew down a creative path early on that has led him to where he is today; operating an art business alongside his wife, Emily here in Denver. His life as a husband, father and artist is a dream come true for that hopeless romantic emo version of his teenage self, lost in the tide of young adulthood. His works today still pull from the same themes as before but now include inspiration received from his wife and son; including but not limited to people, animals, Christianity, machines, architecture, landscapes and dinosaurs.

Piece

I call this piece ‘OA515’ (oasis) in response to Psalm 1’s presentation of two life paths for a person to live and walk. One path leads towards rootlessness and death, while the other towards a rooted, abundant, fruitful life in Christ. While reading Psalm 1, a ‘split screen’ image formed in my mind initially, giving the viewer a clear choice to walk down one path versus the other. Upon more readings, I began imagine an oasis in the desert, that one could step into our out of. This vision brought me closer to what you see in the drawing: an overlap of both realities in which we choose to live as sinners and believers. While we strive towards a life committed the Word and aligned with our Father’s desire for us to drink and eat of him, we still wander out into the heat and desolation of the world beyond the lush garden. We follow and become fixed to a windswept track that takes us swiftly towards our own desires. Therein lies the struggle and the choice. With His hand on our shoulder, we may yet again decouple ourselves from that sinful train of thought or action and find ourselves back at the water’s edge.

PROCESS: Ink Pen

I experienced a great challenge in creating this piece. Prior to drawing ‘OA515’, my collection of pens had accumulated a year’s worth of dust. Breaking the rhythm of churning out work, and finding space to let myself draw for Christ in the Psalms is something I haven’t done enough since I began working for myself. Once I began imagining the oasis in my drawing, it only became easier for me to come back to the drawing in order to finish it. I drew inspiration from my son’s current obsession with ‘choochey trains’ and our enjoyment of God’s gift of time. He gives us rest and shade where the palm trees sway, where the flamingos flock, and even in the city, where the trains trundle on the trestles over the trail, down by the river.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Whitney Grimm

Hi.

It’s not about the finished design, but the journey along the way.

I’m a Colorado native who loves the outdoors and the city. I moved away in 2012 to explore the world around me. I’ve worked in fashion most of my life living in Los Angeles, CA, and Austin, TX, and now back in Denver, CO. In each place, I’ve learned new skills, while refining others, and met awesome and interesting people who mentored and challenged me to push myself artistically, which in turn helped me discover a passion; creating visual stories for audiences through different mediums like print or digital materials and fine art.

Character is everything.

This industry is about building relationships; with clients, other designers, the world around me, and myself; trust plays a big role in that. I want my clients and other designers to trust my vision and me as a designer. I’m perceptive, detail-oriented, a communicator, a learner, a collaborator, an encourager, empathetic, silly, and most of all a problem solver.

My design process is the whole process.

While traveling and exploring keeps my heart alive, giving me perspective on the world around me to better connect my designs to that audience, my husband Jonathan, is one of my biggest supporters and encouragers. My art ranges from painting using acrylics, plaster, putty, and other found materials to graphic design.

Piece: Mixed Media

When I read Psalm 150 I saw a similar image to the one I created, and the last verse “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!” This image encompasses just that. From the fine line thread size and detail to the specific colors used to the natural elements, and letting the natural wood show through. God is all and in all, natural and man-made.

I had so much fun making this piece.

When I start a new art project I usually pull from my deep, heavy, and sad emotions, but this time I felt God asking me to draw from the joy and zest for life I’ve been feeling and experiencing. Not everything has to be made from a dark place. I think the piece speaks for itself, but ultimately I hope it speaks in whatever way you allow.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Allee Nesbitt

I’m Allee, I do creative direction, design, and branding for an urban planning company based out of San Francisco, CA. I have been attending Park Church since 2016. Park is where I met my husband and we have a little guy named Levi!

Piece: Digital Illustration

Psalm 149 is a depiction of genuine, joyful praise for our Creator. It reveals the triumphant present-future reality that is ours in Christ: all things will surely be made new. I wanted this art to display human hands in full, authentic worship – without any reservations due to fear or shame. Simply, each posture offers its own song in response to the intimacy, mystery, and glory of God. The hands are drawn with an outline in red depicting the blood of Christ which purchased us.

When I first picked this Psalm, I was intimidated by the juxtaposition of the joy-filled people mixed with the harsh reality of justice being served. It’s a topic my heart always has wrestled with being a follower of Christ and I have had to submit my flawed human view of justice over to God many many times. When designing this art, I wanted to focus on the joy it will feel to be freely in worship one day, without any doubt holding me back from true authenticity.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Olivia McCloud

My name is Olivia, and I’m a Colorado Native and artist! I’ve been drawing since I was a kid and am so honored that Park has provided such a creative outlet to integrate artists into the church experience.

Piece: Gouache on Board

This is gouache on board. Gouache is essentially a more opaque version of watercolor that allows you to really layer and build up color. It is my preferred media because it lets me use a variety of techniques and create multiple textures!

The Doxology is one of my favorite pieces of church liturgy, so reading Psalm 148 I immediately felt a familiar pull towards it. The concept of every part of creation being called to celebrate the power of Christ has the ability to make you feel important and insignificant all at once. Every aspect of creation was lovingly formed by a powerful God, and we are a valued piece of that.

I wanted to capture the vastness of creation, as well as the minute details that we are also made up of. From mountains and seas, to galaxies and the human body; we are a valued part of the divine creation of Christ.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Alison Harshberger

Hey, I’m Alison! I do product marketing and graphic design and live in Denver, CO with my pup, Nala. I studied marketing and graphic design in college and fell in love with digital art and design.

Piece: Digital Illustration

This piece is a Digital illustration made on Procreate (shout out to the iPad and the Apple Pencil).

Psalm 147 has some iconic verses that speak to the vastness of God’s glory. I started this piece inspired by the imagery of space and the cosmos, but changed direction mid way through. I ended up incorporating the stars with one of my favorite pieces of symbolism and my favorite things to draw, a twisted tree trunk. For me, the tree trunk is a representation of God’s faithfulness and his character, with beautifully hidden mysteries throughout and steadiness that endures all seasons.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Kenzie Jones

My name is Kenzie Jones. Wife to Collin. Mom to two littles (plus one more on the way). Stay at home mom. Aspiring flower farmer. Former occupational therapist. Beginner watercolor artist.

Piece: Digital Illustration

This piece is mixed media, including watercolor, oil paint and oil pastels, and one piece of medical oxygen tape.

I’ve always been drawn to the themes of topography in scripture. In fact, the theme of gardens, God as the great gardener in John 15, and Mary mistaking the resurrected Jesus for a gardener is why we chose to name our oldest daughter, Eden. My soul stirs as I consider how rocks cry out (Luke 19:40) or all creation groans, (Romans 8:22), or the heavens pour forth speech and reveal knowledge day after day (Psalm 19). While reflecting on Psalm 145, I couldn’t shake the two juxtaposed themes of God’s splendor, glory, majesty, greatness next to his tender care, kindness, and sheer goodness.

To me, summers in Colorado pour forth speech. The mountains to me speak of Gods greatness and power and glory, and yet the wildflowers of the field that He clothes speak of his kindness and tender care. His greatness and his goodness know no match. I aimed to place the landscape and the flower study side by side as a representation of these two beautiful truths. He is incomprehensibly glorious and he is intimately good. Thanks be to God.

Learn more about Christ in the Psalms weekly artwork and see previous pieces here.

Person: Bruce Butler

I’m Bruce and I’ve been at Park for almost 12 years. I’m married to Jamie Rosenberry, we have one little tike, Joan, who is almost 2. I’ve been a Graphic Designer for about 12 years, formerly freelancing as Wise Bison, and now working full time at The Fire and Smoke Society, a yummy spice and sauce company. I also play guitar for Park and my two bands, Last Ditch and Our Violet Room. Recently, I also became a co-manager for Victory House, a sober living home within Providence Network. Cooking for friends and family is as a beloved hobby.

Piece: Digital Illustration

I chose Psalm 144, a humbling psalm that juxtaposes the unimaginable power of God and the weakness of man. With verses 3-4 saying “Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow,” we are reminded of our own mortality and the humility God shows in even caring for us.

With the tone of the Psalm being battle, awe, and a very blunt take on the humanity’s place with God, I decided to do a more literal version with the artwork. These verses had such blatant imagery, I chose to try to portray this:

“Part your heavens, Lord, and come down;
touch the mountains, so that they smoke.
Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy;
shoot your arrows and rout them.
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.”

I chose black and white and combined stippling and shading inspired by the wood engravings of Gustave Dore.

While controversial, artificial intelligence is undeniably permeating the art world. While I don’t agree with every use of it, I do think it can be a useful tool. Where I usually source imagery to work with from elsewhere, I decided to enlist the help of Midjourney. I began with an image of mountains in a storm and a separate image of the hand reaching through clouds. Using Photoshop and Procreate, I added hand drawn elements and several attempts to create a unique texture that helped blend the picture into one cohesive, heavily textured image.