SOLO EXHIBITION
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS 🙌🏼 I’m so excited to announce…My Artwork is Installed!!! SOLO EXHIBITION of my original artwork at…
Compass Financial Services, 4801 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa.
For two months my work will be on display and open to the public for free viewing from JANUARY 5 – FEBRUARY 28, 2023 8am – 4pm M-F. I invite you to come and see how God has been moving through my life.
Any artwork purchased from this exhibit will be available to pick up or have it shipped 2-3 weeks after the installation is taken down. Thank you for checking out my site and artwork. Much love for all the support!!
Original artwork on display is available to purchase through my website Store under Featured Products.
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Grief feels like waves crashing in without any notice and slowly going back out. Sometimes taking my breath away with pressure so heavy I feel like I’m drowning. I can’t put into words the pain I’ve experienced in the last couple months mourning the physical death of my mother. But I can tell you that I have experienced Gods grace and faithfulness on a whole new level.
Because of my mom (she would say it’s the Holy Spirit and she’s right) I finally started studying the Bible the last 5 years. She had all kinds of great recommendations of stuff that she already studied. She said she would study it again if I would do it with her. As I’m writing this I’m just bawling because I wish I would’ve done more of those things before she passed. But I’m so incredibly grateful for the time we had. She taught me so much. She taught me to trust the process.
Let it flow even when it hurts. The growing pains are part of the process. There’s only been a few days that I haven’t cried. I miss her so much. I can hear her voice and things she would say to me. Like “something good can come out of this.” She would say that all of the time.
I have found peace in the pit of the barrel even as my tears fill up the ocean. Being called into the deep unknown has showed me how powerful Gods word really is. It is vital. It is a life line. It has continually pulled me from the darkness.
I’ve also witnessed an amazing community uplift me and my family through these difficult times. Thank you! So deeply grateful we have access to Gods word and are free to follow Jesus with our community.
Sometimes we have to sit still to get somewhere. Sometimes we have to release an ocean of tears to ride the grief waves. Sometimes we have to just sit in the ocean deep tears and let the waves crash over us. So that we can be cleansed. So we can trust. That this too shall pass. That this is not the end. We will see our loved ones again. In paradise.
”Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”“
Matthew 14:22, 27-33 NIV
Renae Zanella Artist
Iowa Native
Born, raised and currently living in this beautiful state of Iowa. Renae and her husband moved to the rolling hills of Guthrie Center, spring of 2019. Creativity and following Christ has been a part of her family for many generations. Growing up around artsy and faith-led people has really influenced her life and her art. She works mainly with acrylic paint and favors abstract mixed media. Renae is a self taught artist inspired by the creator of Heaven and Earth, dreams, visions and real life experiences. She’s drawn to nature and the complexity this world displays. Everyday, she thanks God for creating such an insanely, amazing experience with extravagant dimensions that we all get to share. She’s a bold believer in the power of love and art.
Transformation
She has painted through some of her life’s most difficult times as well as through some huge celebrations! In the last few years, creating art has become an even richer experience for her because she recently turned her life around to God. March 2017, she was at the darkest point of her life consumed by her alcohol abuse and all the trauma from 20+ years of struggling. Before she checked herself into inpatient rehab, she applied for a job at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines and prayed for a breakthrough. During rehab she started experiencing a spiritual awakening that changed the way she looked at things. The day before she successfully completed rehab she received a phone call notifying her that she got the job on the facilities crew at Hope. She started working at Hope Easter weekend which felt like she was literally being raised from a dark grave she never thought she would be able to escape. She soon discovered the Creative Arts Ministry in the basement. This is where God catapulted her onto this path of discovery and exploration with scripture and creativity.
The Holy Spirit moved through the Creative Arts Ministry and gave Renae direction with purpose. But even more important, she recognized her gift which strengthened her faith. Praying and reading scripture before she creates has changed everything about her creative experience and really everything about the way she lives her life.
Mission
Renae’s mission is to learn more about Jesus so she can become just like him. This inspires her creative art journey as she shares her faith in as many ways as possible. Renae wants everyone to know the power of God’s transformational love that saved her life. The message is becoming very clear to her that it’s not about her at all. It’s all about allowing God to work through us. This creative process with our Maker has become a time of deep prayer and conversation, growing her relationship with God.
Renae invites you to check out her Blogs where she writes and reflects about her artwork. She ties scripture to each art piece hoping to spread the Word of God to this broken world. She also creates time-lapsed video reels on instagram, @renaezanella, showing the process of creating her work.
All of this is transforming Renae from the inside which has been very healing and therapeutic. She’s been learning how to let go and have authentic encounters with the Creative Spirit Within.
Thank you so much Cheryl Hurst and Compass Financial for this awesome opportunity!!!
