Through mutual artistic friends, Kate and I met in Charleston, South Carolina. Immediately, I felt so welcomed by her kind smile and sweet voice. With warm colors and delightfully inviting compositions, Kate’s artwork has quickly become popular and inspiring to countless artists. I’m currently saving up to purchase one for myself, and cannot wait to tell my visitors all about the artist and her wonderful heart. She also does lovely, live wedding paintings! I was so thrilled when she was willing to share her words for the “as you are series”.
Without further ado, Meet Kate!!
(and visit her website: katewaddellart.com)
I first came to know Christ when I was 17 & the 8 years that have followed have increasingly deepened my grasp on what it looks like to live in the Love of Jesus. I must admit, I’m not always comfortable talking about the fact that I am radically loved and adored by the Creator of the universe- but I want to be.
During my sophomore year of college, I began experiencing rather severe anxiety mixed in with depression. While it was and is still incredibly rough & difficult to go through, I have learned as Paul wrote “to rejoice in suffering”.
Those broken parts of my life constantly point me to the Cross.
I came to see during that year, that my desire to control had kept me from knowing the Peace that comes with the love of Jesus. While it’s still a daily battle, I really do have a peace that ‘surpasses all understanding’ knowing that the God of the universe died to know me & to lavish His love upon me.
Like many, I am continuously hearing the lie that I am not good enough. I’ve always felt like second best with most things – until the Spirit breathes His truth into my soul and mind.
To know that my name was written in His heart & that He called me to a life with Him always soothes & amazes me.
A. W. Tozer writes, “Nothing will or can restore order till our hearts make the great decision: God shall be exalted above all”. It’s in the moments of worship & thankfulness that my heart is the most satisfied. Anxiety is essentially rooted in selfishness & it’s exhausting constantly worrying about my future, what people think of me – if that one person remembers that weird thing I said 4 months ago. So, when I am the least bit focused on myself & instead dwelling in His presence, there is just an explicable Joy that comes from knowing His Love for me.
As an artist, I am constantly aware of the beauty around me. Whether it be people, color or words, they point me to the Lord.
I remember one day this past May I was painting and as I was mixing a certain color, I was thinking how beautiful it was & then heard the whisper from the Spirit saying, “that’s how I feel about you”. I don’t know if it’s the culture I live in or my own sin, but rarely do I genuinely believe that I’m a beautiful masterpiece. When, I remember that I am seen as God’s Beloved, and Christ’s forever, I can’t help but believe & know it.
The word ‘love’ is thrown around so much today. I think we’ve all become a little numb to its true meaning. Love without sacrifice remains numb and mundane. So, to realize that because God is Love, He then died the death I deserved so that I could live a life eternally with Him, it can’t help but change and satisfy my soul.
Our world indeed needs more Love, but not a love rooted out of self-will or selfishness. It is desperately crying out for the redemptive & satisfying Love of our Lord.
I’ve recently been in a mindset of extreme gratitude remembering I have been called by name into a life with Him. Each day & all that comes with it is a gift from above. It’s a chance to know Him deeper & to radiate His Love to those around us.
It has always been my prayer that art would point those that look at it to the grander artist, Himself, reminding them that above all He’s created, He calls us His masterpieces.
Visit her website: https://katewaddellart.com/
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