​I called it Corinne’s Vineyard but it’s actually a painting that I did from a photograph of Zaca Mesa Winery in CA. My friend Corinne had taken the picture one afternoon while she and her husband were there. They had enjoyed one of the best days of that particular vacation just relaxing on the beautiful grounds and sipping wine. Corinne loved the feel of the photo and how it recalled for her the beauty of the day. She was considering having the photo enlarged and framed so she could hang it in the dining area of their condo in the White Mountains of NH.At the time I was working on a painting as a gift for a friend of my moms. I was showing Corinne my progress one day and she suddenly said “Hey, would you paint this picture of the vineyard for me? I’d pay you!” Well, I had never done a piece on commission (or sold a piece at all) and man, did that feel awkward. I told her I wasn’t sure if I could. What if it came out totally ugly, what would the price be, did I even want to have her pay me for it if she did like it….I just felt uneasy, or maybe insecure is the better word.
And then a thought came to me. “Paint it and give all the money Corinne gives you for it to HopeForce. Let God use it!” In an instant I no longer felt awkward, uneasy or insecure. I began working on the painting and found myself in awe of how easy and enjoyable it was! I find that by the grace of God I am increasingly able to live out my faith. There is a verse in scripture that says “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”. I painted this piece that way. Corinne was so happy with the outcome and I was able to make a donation to HopeForce and the idea for FathomArt was born.
Fathom: Fine Art That Helps Orchestrate Miracles! Lives are being touched and changed because of the work HopeForce is doing in McDowell County WV. I love that my story has become intertwined with theirs. As has Corinne’s now. Pretty cool to consider how God uses people and things. This time it started with a vineyard!