A Painting Is Done

I do not paint as much as I want to, but I did get a Painting done recently. I love how it turned out. I titled it Let Love Loose.

Watercolor 22x30

My newest painting, LET LOVE LOOSE - Voice of Justice
In beginning this painting, I wanted to portray the action of True Love being released without the use of traditional symbols such as hearts. I pondered, I prayed, I kept a watchful eye for weeks for anything that would ignite in me on how to do this. In worship service one night, I was entranced by how beautiful the dancers were worshipping. God spoke to my heart, "You let Love loose by dancing with me in worship. That is the Armor I am giving. In worship, the voice of justice reigns and the captive is set free." So began creating a dancer who symbolically portrayed us releasing God's loving justice to the world. The greatest act of Justice was the death of Jesus and the greatest act of Hope was His resurrection. The dancer's dress was once my old art rags and I overlaid them with metallic paint symbolizing that the old is now new revealing the Glory of God. Looking closely, you can see the outline of the world behind her. I carefully brushed essential oils over each continent praying as to what oils to use symbollically. I love essential oils and the beauty of their ability to aid in emotional healing. This is what God revealed to me to declare his Justice and love over each one. North America- White Fir- The Oil of Generational Healing, New Zealand and Australia- Citrus Bliss- Oil of Creativity, Greenland- Wild Orange- Oil of Abundance, Europe, EurAsia(Russia,Ukraine) - Melissa- Oil of Truth, Asia(China, India, MiddleEast) Oil of Purification, South America- Cypress- Oil of Motion and Flow, Africa- Elevation - Oil of Abundance and Joy. Symbolically, I "anointed" the continents in prayer and oils. Tears rose up in my heart and overflowed into my eyes and the heart of God revealed itself of what he wanted for each continent. For hours after I literally cried over the earth and things revealed in my heart. The dancer holds a turquoise ribbon swirling freely around her and I chose this color because Turquoise represents the heart of God communicating to the spirit of man. The verses written on the ribbon are about his justice and his unfailing love. They include Matthew 23:23, Zech. 7:9, Isaiah 1:17, Psalm 99:20, Luke 18:17, Job 37:23, Psalm 140:12, Isaiah 51:4-5 and Psalm 106:3. When justice and love are released, hope bursts forth from heaven like a fire igniting us to bravely dance in worship setting the captive free. -Melissa Carter

"HIDDEN" My Newest Painting

“Hidden” Watercolor/Mixed media by Melissa Carter 20x30 

“He rescues her from hidden traps, and shields her from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched wings protect her... under them she is perfectly safe.” Psalm 91: 3,4 The Message (paraphrased)

The beginnings of this painting began in my head at least a year before it ever made it to paper. As my heart began to be stirred about the issue of sex trafficking and the children and girls who were lost in a world of hopelessness, I began to pray that they would be sheltered by Him. I believe my paintings stir the heart of God to release angels and people to set the captive free. My creative gift has purpose. It gives visual to what I see is happening in the supernatural. It brings awareness to stir others into activation to make a difference.
Hidden represents Jesus sheltering a lost girl. The blanket she is wrapped in represents the ethnicities of girls who are lost inside of sex-trafficking as well as the robe that Jesus offers as a beauty covering. In her darkness, He slips in to protect her and cover her with His Might powerful Wing so that she is invisible to the enemy. I found Psalm 36:6-8 that verbally demonstrates this.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.
You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.”

The oranges, reds and yellows represent the life and fire that can be restored to a girl who no longer knows hope. The metallics in her hair represents the glory of God that she is crowned with. It is how God see her, a princess created in his image filled with hope, purity, and promises.

Upon finishing the painting, I knew it wasn’t quite done. There was a power element missing. As I was sitting and pondering over the painting in my studio, Kim Walker’s song came on, “I Still Believe”.
The words, “ Right now, your blood takes away the curse... Right now, your blood sets the addict free... Right now, your blood mends the broken hearted.... transforms my mind... brings the dead to life. I still believe... Your Love is sufficient.” moved on my heart and I knew I had to portray the blood of Jesus as the power source of these girls’ salvation.
With my heart pounding, knowing I could potentially ruin the painting with what I was about to do, I splattered red paint to symbolize the power of His blood that washes away the lies of the enemy. Even more crazy I stamped LOVE over all the enemy’s words because I know that LOVE never fails. That’s it. LOVE wins their hearts.

BLACK FRIDAY SALE IS HERE!

I HOPE YOU WILL STOP BY AND PURCHASE A CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FOR YOUR TREE AND  CHECK OUT SOME GREAT GIFT ITEMS! GO TO MELISSA'S CAFEPRESS STORE  TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE! 
 Everything marked BLACK FRIDAY SALE has been marked down 30%-40%  and then you can get additional deals using your Promo codes I have provided. 
Be sure and buy two Christmas ornaments and get your third free with the promo code!! 
Blessings, Melissa

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Congratulations to the winners of the drawing for the original painting"DEFENDER" AMONG US" and the giclee prints and ornaments.

I really appreciate you all supporting my effort to help a deserving adoptive family.

The winner of the Grand prize- Sonia Ramsay of Oregon

2nd place - giclee print of "DANCE OF THE PALMS" - Karen Thomas of North Carolina

3rd and 4th place - prints of "INNER STRENGTH" and "FAMILY TREASURES" Stephan Erkelens of California

5th place - A Christmas Ornament - Susan Rosenstiel of Alabama

6th place - A Christmas Ornament - Devon Whittemore of Out West (South Dakota) ??

Thanks so much to everyone! We raised $480 and Melissa Carter Creations matched up to $250 so the total raised was $730

I am sure this family will be very thankful to you all!!!

Blessings, Melissa Carter