As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation — either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Art lead me to my faith and my faith saved my life! I never would’ve guessed a few years ago that I would learn so much about myself and Jesus through art. My life had no direction and I was lost down a dark road of addictions for over 20 years. But I had a spiritual awakening start happening inside me in 2017 while in rehab that catapulted me onto this path of discovery. I’ve discovered a freedom and a peace that I never thought I could experience in this life. God makes blind people see and dead people walk! My life mission is to follow Jesus and share what I learn through my art.
Trust The Process!
The Process
PRAY
Renae leans into God and prays before she starts creating. She opens her Bible randomly to read Gods word allowing it to wash over her and soak into her and the canvas. On occasions she has specific scripture that the work is inspired by. This has changed everything about her creating experience and really everything about the way she lives her life.
CREATE
Renae opens her heart to invite the Holy Spirit into her process allowing God to work through her. Creating has become a time of deep prayer and transformative conversations with God. The last few years she has been learning how to create an authentic expression that comes straight from her heart. Surrendering her will has been key to creating in the flow.
SHARE
Renae is extremely thankful for the opportunity to share the art that comes from deep within her soul. She shares how God saved her by his amazing grace from a dark hopeless life of addiction, depression and suicidal contemplation. She has found deep purpose and healing creating prophetic art with God since 2017. Throughout the last few years she has been mentoring other artists as they step out into their calling. Renae‘s mission is to learn more about Jesus so she can become just like him and help others find peace and purpose.
Testimonials:
Transformation, What you see is what you get, Foundation built on prayer
My name is Jennifer Burger and I am the Creative Arts Director at Lutheran Church of Hope. Renae Zanella came to work at Lutheran Church of Hope in 2017. During that time I was transitioning to the Creative Arts Ministry from another ministry within the church. Renae would come down to clean the ministry offices and while she cleaned we would have conversations about God and her art. Her full story is inspiring and beautiful.
Our Director, at the time, asked if she ever prayed or read scripture while painting. This question is the foundation on which Renae was built. Before Renae knew God, her paintings were beautiful yet really dark. After praying and reading scripture, God used Renae as a vessel to give people a new way to encounter God. Her transformation was almost overnight in her walk with the Lord and her paintings reflected it.
My favorite part about working with Renae is what you see is what you get. She’s an honest, hard-working, faithful, and beautiful soul. She exudes God. She’s been through the darkest valleys and still praises Him. I have and would recommend Renae to others because I’ve seen her work and I know how incredible she is inside and outside her art studio. The Holy Spirit is her guide. I’ve loved walking beside her and seeing her transformation from a front row seat.
Jen B.
Blend of real, actionable tips with a faith-centered approach
When I started live painting early last year, you were such a big help. You were always so supportive and willing to offer feedback, encouragement, and helpful tips. Your insight, especially with aligning my art with faith, gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward and grow!
I’d absolutely recommend your coaching to others. You blend real, actionable tips with a faith-centered approach that’s rare to find, and I know it can help any artist grow both in their craft and their calling.
Thanks for being such a positive influence—I’m excited to see how God moves through your coaching business and how it impacts others! Always cheering you on, girl.
Courtney M.
Always an Encourager, Unique Style, Fearlessly express it in her works
I met Renae a few years ago in an online creative arts class, through our church. We did a book and video study, then created art through the inspiration. We shared our creations online each week. We mostly did small pieces, usually painting. I could see Renae’s talent, but not until I saw her gallery display at church did I understand just how talented Renae is. We developed a friendship through church, we were in more classes together, did some volunteering together.
Painting was still pretty new to me. I had done a few pieces for the church gallery. Renae was always an encourager and had my back when I started painting live at holiday services. As I got to know her more, I came to understand her passion for art, the inspiration that continually comes to her for creating. Renae has her own unique style and is ever ready to fearlessly express it in her works.
She has a big heart for encouraging others to seek out their talent within and find what inspires them. She tends to believe that we all have creative talents and she is one who loves to nurture that in others.
The artist couldn’t make it to paint for the last service so with 40 mins notice to prepare I jumped for Jesus!!! This is in honor of my faithful mother Pat Jacobs who loves Jesus with all her heart. Even as I started painting the woman became purple my moms favorite color. And she wanted to be remembered by butterflies.
I’m in awe of God and how he can make a way so spontaneously. That was the shortest notice I’ve ever had to paint live for worship. What a gift to have that opportunity to be completely inspired and obedient in the moment on the day that our Lord and Savior was raised from the dead.
Created shortly after my mother passed on to Heaven from stage 4 cervical cancer. She introduced me to Kristi Mclleland who teaches the Bible. Her book Jesus With Woman talks about the tear catchers people used back then. It’s helped me walk through the grief by painting and leaning into God.
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.
I’m super excited to share with you the 2023 Live Art Christmas Campus Tour!! I was originally only going to paint at one service this Christmas. My mom was diagnosed… Read more: 2023 Live Art Christmas Campus Tour
My sweet and faithful mom Pat Jacobs went to her heavenly home early in the morning on November 21, 2023. She was surrounded by family and friends as she transitioned. It’s a blessing to know she was greeted by Jesus and a huge welcoming party! She is dancing in the field of flowers clanging her tambourine 🌸
My entire family would like to thank everyone for all of your prayers, love and support. She is a very special woman who devoted her life to pointing people to God. She is so loved and will be deeply missed.
December 8, 2023 at the Lutheran Church of Hope Chapel in West Des Moines, IA at 10:00am visitation, 11:00am celebration of life service followed by a lunch in the bridge.
Please wear Tie Dye and be ready to celebrate! 🦋she wants to be remembered by butterflies.
The artist couldn’t make it to paint for the last service so with 40 mins notice to prepare I jumped for Jesus!!! This is in honor of my faithful mother Pat Jacobs who loves Jesus with all her heart. Even as I started painting the woman became purple my moms favorite color. And she wanted to be remembered by butterflies. I’m in awe of God and how he can make a way so spontaneously. That was the shortest notice I’ve ever had to paint live for worship. What a gift to have that opportunity to be completely inspired and obedient in the moment on the day that our Lord and Savior was raised from the dead.
Created shortly after my mother passed on to Heaven from stage 4 cervical cancer. She introduced me to Kristi Mclleland who teaches the Bible. Her book Jesus With Woman talks about the tear catchers people used back then. It’s helped me walk through the grief by painting and leaning into God.
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.
I’m super excited to share with you the 2023 Live Art Christmas Campus Tour!! I was originally only going to paint at one service this Christmas. My mom was diagnosed… Read more: 2023 Live Art Christmas Campus Tour
My sweet and faithful mom Pat Jacobs went to her heavenly home early in the morning on November 21, 2023. She was surrounded by family and friends as she transitioned. It’s a blessing to know she was greeted by Jesus and a huge welcoming party! She is dancing in the field of flowers clanging her tambourine 🌸 My entire family would like to thank everyone for all of your prayers, love and support. She is a very special woman who devoted her life to pointing people to God. She is so loved and will be deeply missed. December 8, 2023 at the Lutheran Church of Hope Chapel in West Des Moines, IA at 10:00am visitation, 11:00am celebration of life service followed by a lunch in the bridge. Please wear Tie Dye and be ready to celebrate! 🦋she wants to be remembered by butterflies.