Renae Zanella

I was beyond excited when I was introduced to the art director at that time Cyndee Buck, who completely inspired me and gave me direction. But more importantly she helped me recognize my gift which strengthened my faith. She asked me if I prayed before I painted. I had never done that nor had I ever thought about it. It made complete sense to tune into the Holy Spirit by meditating on scripture, praying and opening my heart up to let God work through me.

Only a few months after meeting Cyndee I ended up moving back to the Quad Cities and she moved up to Minneapolis. I look back and think about all the things that had to line up for us to both be at Hope at the same time to meet. It was absolutely no accident!!! She had such an impact on my heart I literally just started crying while I’m writing this. My heart is so grateful for everything God has done for me literally rivers of joy are overflowing out of my eyes! When I have no words God feels my heart. Wow, thank you Jesus! When people decide to share what they have learned about this journey we’re on and it all points to God it moves something deep in our psyche. Our paths crossing in 2017 catapulted me onto this journey of discovery. A journey with Jesus. Where I have found love, peace, contentment, forgiveness, LIFE & LIGHT! I realized right away that God blessed this connection between us. Something about it was different, deeper, profound, anointing and holy.

We basically lost touch after we went our separate ways til we became friends on Facebook in the Fall of 2020. I was in the midst of an art explosion that seems to happen every few months. I had just created “Soak” when Cyndee reached out to me for the first time. She was moved so much by the artwork she wanted to purchase it. I was humbled that she would want to buy a painting from me but it was much deeper than just that, it was the start of our amazing friendship. She has been such an incredible friend, sister in Christ and a mentor to me I feel extremely blessed that she has shared some of her experiences and wisdom with me.

Cyndee now shares with churches and Christian high schools throughout the Twin Cities what she has learned from leading local, regional, and national Christian visual art initiatives as well as her experiences founding and leading a visual arts ministry for sixteen years. She is currently curating four art exhibits, leading art workshops, coaching Christian artists, co-chairing a Spring Christian Arts Festival, writing children’s art activities for national distribution, and coaching church creative art staff in starting a Christian Arts Ministry at their church.   

One of the exhibits is titled: The Importance of Christian Artists & Their Art currently on display at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska, MN until October 22, 2021. The artwork provides teaching points through exhibit signage. I thank God for Cyndee Buck’s passion for using creative experiences to glorify God.

“I HAVE TRULY BEEN BLESSED BY THE CREATIVES THAT I HAVE MET IN MY LIFE’S WORK AND THE EXPERIENCES OF WATCHING THEIR FAITH TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THEIR ART MAKING PROCESS. LISTENING TO GOD BY READING SCRIPTURE AND BEING IN CONVERSATION WITH HIM THROUGH PRAYER IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CREATIVE PROCESS THAT WILL GROW YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CREATOR AND BRING GREAT JOY INTO YOUR LIFE BY EXPERIENCING HIS LOVE FOR YOU DEEPLY IN YOUR HEART.”

CYNDEE BUCK

Cyndee wanted to commission me to create a piece to be in the exhibit. I said “Yes” to creating it but it was going to be a gift to her to show my appreciation. I also wanted to hand deliver it so I could see her and the school it would be displayed in. Cyndee asked if I would want to talk to a couple classes about my art process. At first I was reluctant because public speaking is a huge fear but that’s exactly why I said “Yes”!! I knew because it made me extremely uncomfortable I needed to do it. I needed to embrace the fear of getting up to talk for the first time in front of people. I was going to prepare something to refer to but I decided not to so I could really just speak from my heart. It was really transforming to be able to share some of my experiences with the students.

I am forever blessed from meeting the art teacher Stephanie Pieske at Southwest Christian High School Visual Arts. It was just so neat to get to know her and inspiring to learn what she has been doing to help her students realize their gifts and talents. I could feel how much of her heart she has poured into this art ministry. Her students were so welcoming and really seemed to absorb what I shared. I briefly told them about some of the darkness I experienced before I was reunited with Jesus. Then I played the time lapse video of “Soak” so they could see the story unfold through my process of creating this artwork.

Below is the time-lapsed video of “Soak”

One of her students was moved to make me a little drawing and gave it to me at the end of class. Super thoughtful 🥰 Thank you again!

I was going to publish this blog on the morning of September 20, 2021 but I was waiting on a few things to be edited. I went out to get the mail and was surprised to receive a package from the school I just visited. When I opened the bag and saw all the letters I immediately started crying. It was such an inspiring experience that caused me to get face to face with one of my worst fears. I really leaned into God and let go. But reading all the letters and learning how the students were impacted and how appreciative they are made me realize just how powerful God is! God wanted me to wait because a major part of the story was in my mailbox. It really just amazes me to be able to witness how people are effected by sharing some of our story. I know that I won’t ever see all the seeds that were planted by the artwork and the things I share. But that’s not what it’s about just keep generously scattering seeds everywhere every chance you get! What a gift it is to be able to read the handwritten notes from the hearts of the students. Thank you God!

It made me realize how important it is for all of us to share our journey. You never know who is dealing with something similar and to hear someone talk about it in the open is liberating and it gives others hope. All of this has just completely blessed me and caused so much spiritual growth. So then I continued to cry as I read each one of their cards. I appreciate how they took the time to create these and how unique each one is. Thank you again to Stephanie Pieske and her students for the opportunity to share and for your thoughtful hearts. And thank you so much for the thank you cards 🙏🏼 Wow…awesome things just keep happening! Thank you Jesus!

I am so grateful for the courage God gave me to finally start sharing my story. We all have a story to share. And we are all created in the image of our creator who is creative. We are all creative beings. Something about creating artwork knowing I’m co-creating with the creator of this entire existence is absolutely transforming, healing and impelling. It moves me figuratively and literally. Art is such a huge part of Gods kingdom. I believe art, music and dancing are just a few ways to glorify God, worship and praise Him for all that’s He’s done and will continue to do.

Art has always been more than just apart of my life, it’s apart of my very being. Its hard describe in words the feeling it creates in me but music and dancing make me feel that same way. Really it’s pure Joy, that’s what it creates in my soul! And I know that Joy I’m experiencing is because God is in the middle of it all!

Learning more about Jesus has completely changed my life. Jesus has made my life profoundly worth living. Everyday I want to become more like Christ. The message is becoming very clear to me that it’s not about me at all. It’s all about allowing God to work through me for His will. This has changed everything about my creating experience and really everything about the way I live my life. I am being transformed from the inside because my relationship with God is developing. Being creative has become a time I’m in deep prayer and conversation with God. The creative process has been extremely healing and very therapeutic. I’m really just learning how to let the Spirit within me create an authentic expression that comes straight from my heart.

Exhibit title: The Importance of Christian Artists & Their Art currently on display at Southwest Christian High School in Chaska, MN until October 22, 2021.

Continue to page 3 to view the time-lapse video and the artist statement for “Generous Harvest”. I had technical difficulties so I apologize the end did not get recorded. But it still shows part of the process. Enjoy🙏🏼

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