Art

Paint mixed media

renew and rejoice

“Renew and Rejoice”
ByRenae Zanella April 1, 2024March 19, 2025
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.
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love | Settle into the Wilderness

“Settle Into The Wilderness”
ByRenae Zanella February 4, 2024March 19, 2025
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.
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love | Peace in the Pit of the Barrel

“Peace In the Pit of the Barrel”
ByRenae Zanella January 12, 2024March 19, 2025
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.
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Light of Heaven and Earth | love

“Light of Heaven and Earth”
ByRenae Zanella September 26, 2023December 8, 2024
It has taken me 8 months to finish this blog not because it took me a long time to type or put it together but because the enemy tried stopping me. 3 times I lost everything so I had to completely renter all the content and that’s because the devil knows how powerful this story is!!

I said “Yes” to painting live 1.28.23 and God used it to send a strong message of hope to a mother who’s son recently ended his time here on earth. She saw his face in the painting during the worship service. Then I discovered magazine clippings that were referring to suicide. There are no accidents. When we fully surrender to God he can uses anything and anyone to carry out his will. Then see the other two clippings on the painting that have connections to suicide Fyodor Dostoevsky a Russian novelist, Viktor Frankl a Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. Also Black Elk an indigenous holy man cousin to Crazy Horse who went from scalping to a Saint is connected to this painting. God is on the move.
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Color of Praise

“Color of Praise”
ByRenae Zanella November 20, 2022January 10, 2023
Renae’s painting reflected the loud colors of praise. The Sneaky Spirit flowed through her brushes and spray cans and paper cuttings! It was a “Get Loud” painting for Jesus! Get up close to see what was going on in this Spirit-led painting! “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Quote from Banksy.
Time to get on our knees and serve our King!
-her mother Pat Jacobs
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Side By Side

“Shelter Of Each Other”
ByRenae Zanella November 14, 2022September 20, 2026
“So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭5‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
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surrender

“Surrender”
ByRenae Zanella October 12, 2022September 20, 2026
I planned to paint this outside to celebrate my 4 year sobriety anniversary. I got to start the piece outside but then the wind started whipping. My paint was drying instantly as it touched the canvas. I couldn’t see half the time cuz my hair was in my face. Then the farmer across the road pulled up with a few tractors and semis to harvest. Which was just hilarious to have so much going on for this painting I’m calling “Surrender”!!
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Eden’s Dawn Light

“Eden’s Dawn Light”
ByRenae Zanella May 13, 2022March 19, 2025
This painting represents the miracle that each dawn brings us. A new day to praise God and share the light. A gift from God to experience another day in his glorious creation. The tree of life represents the wisdom of Gods word and the fruit it will produce from reading and obeying. God created boundaries so that we could live our life to the fullest and experience all of Gods glory. When we give into sin we experience a psychological death. But the good news is everyday we can turn back around to God, repent and ask for forgiveness. Gods love is unconditional so he will forgive us and we will have eternal life.
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love | Real Gold

“Real Gold”
ByRenae Zanella April 22, 2022March 19, 2025
Happy Earth Day! Real Gold is all around us. The kind you can’t wear and it’s everywhere the light touches. A new series I’m calling “Real Gold”. This series will be everything that I hold close to my heart and is important to me. Everything that is gold to me.
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“Joy” | love

Treasures
ByRenae Zanella April 18, 2022November 5, 2022
Treasures that last are found in each other❤️
-Renae Zanella
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Breath of Life | love

“Breath of Life”
ByRenae Zanella February 22, 2022September 20, 2026
02222022 Tuesday February 22, 2022 3’ x 3’ acrylic mixed media on canvas I have an overactive mind that’s constantly going over and over things. I take deep breaths constantly throughout the day. Surrendering each time praying for peace of mind. Working on artwork that I can just let it flow and develop on its…
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SOS

“SOS”
ByRenae Zanella February 7, 2022September 20, 2026
Human trafficking is an incredibly real evil that exists everywhere in this world. In 2020, 10,583 situations of human trafficking were reported to the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline involving 16,658 individual victims. The Lutheran Church of Hope hosted a conference February 5, 2021 called “Hope Against Trafficking” to help raise awareness. I was invited to paint live for the event as the speakers revealed information about this global epidemic.
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153

“153”
ByRenae Zanella November 15, 2021March 19, 2025
Happy 1 year anniversary to Hope + Elim! Completely overwhelmed in the most incredible way possible from the weekend events. Hearing the speakers Saturday night and then the two services on Sunday moved every ounce of my being deep inside. Absolutely humbled and honored to paint live for the 11am service. 62 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King stood on this same stage, the only time he visited Iowa and preached about a beloved community.
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love | Spirits Rise

“Spirits Rise”
ByRenae Zanella November 13, 2021December 24, 2024
Today is the 15 year Heaven anniversary for my brother Eric Jacobs. He worked at Two Rivers Marketing in Des Moines, IA. He was a father of four boys with one on the way when he passed.
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Immerse

“Immerse”
ByRenae Zanella October 8, 2021September 20, 2026
No money was made in the making of this video using Holy Water song by We The Kingdom & Tasha Cobbs Leonard. I do not own the rights. Check out the music video for “Holy Water”Amazing!! October 8, 2021 Celebrating 3 years FREE from alcohol and cigs! To celebrate I painted in the creek down…
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love | Trail of Transformation | Uncategorized

Trail of Transformation
ByRenae Zanella October 6, 2021November 5, 2022
30+ of my original works of art are on display Now – until the end of November 2021 throughout the Lutheran Church of Hope’s gallery located at 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, Iowa. God is continuously transforming and inspiring me! Since rehab in 2017 I’ve been learning, listening and reflecting on what God…
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March On

“March On”
ByRenae Zanella February 19, 2021September 20, 2026
After creating the artwork honoring Rev. Martin Luther King “Lead with Love” I was drawn to learn more about his wife Coretta Scott King. Wow!!! I would’ve love to meet her or had a chance to hear her speak. She was right there marching alongside her husband and even after he was shot down she continued in deep faith to march on for the freedom that all deserve.
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Lead With Love

“Lead With Love”
ByRenae Zanella February 7, 2021September 20, 2026
This painting was created to honor a man who made the ultimate sacrifice for equality. His message of freedom is still shinning light on the darkness today. It is up to us to take action in a loving way to make this world a better place. We need leaders that lead with love. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a warrior for God and his weapons were love, compassion, mercy and grace.
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Peace of God | Uncategorized

“Peace of God”
ByRenae Zanella December 27, 2020September 20, 2026
Merry Christmas a Savior is Born!!! My Christmas wish is for the Peace of God to come down upon all the people on Earth. I have found true and authentic joy here on earth and its through Jesus. My life was very dark and depressing for many years until I met him.
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“Eternally Connected”
ByRenae Zanella November 27, 2020November 5, 2022
I was honored to paint live for one of the first combined congregation services held at Hope-Elim by Drake in Des Moines, IA. The two churches make a huge statement coming together in 2020 with all the racial injustices the world has witnessed happening here in the United States for way too long. One church being primarily white and the other being primarily black have merged in the name of God. My husband and I were blessed to also be apart of the renovations of the beautiful historic 1886 church building. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached there in 1959 on that same stage we repaired.
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love | Soak

“Soak”
ByRenae Zanella October 14, 2020September 20, 2026
With everything that was happening in the world in 2020 I was faced with a lot of truths within myself. Sometimes I feel like screaming because the world is so messed up. But God does not promise an easy journey He promises to be right here with us. Down on my knees surrendering is where I have found myself, giving everything including myself to Him. Soaking in Gods word has helped me have a spirit influenced response to what’s happening around me. I have so much work to do but I experience a freedom and peace that I wasn’t able to find anywhere else and I’m deeply grateful for that.
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Felicity | Uncategorized

“Felicity”
ByRenae Zanella October 9, 2020September 20, 2026
Acrylic on canvas 36” w x 24” h “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:1-3‬…
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love | Morning Glory

“Morning Glory” Easter 2020 Live Art
ByRenae Zanella June 23, 2020September 20, 2026
This is the moment that changes everything! Jesus was crucified, died and was placed in a guarded tomb. Three days later He rose from the dead! This is the most incredible moment in all of human history! Holy Week We were in the midst of Holy Week and it looked much different than anyone was…
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Completion

“Completion” Good Friday 2020 Live Art
ByRenae Zanella June 23, 2020September 20, 2026
Jesus, a human being in every sense of the word. And He died for you and me! That makes me want to live my life in a way that makes His death worth it. He left a trail for us to follow, a path that leads to a peace that passes all understanding. There are…
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Uncategorized

“Silent Strength”
ByRenae Zanella March 21, 2020March 19, 2025
Isaiah 30:15 I promised my son this painting over a year ago. He was 23 years old about to be 24 when I finished it. I worked 3 full days trying to send it off to Colorado with my parents in time for his birthday. Sorry it took me so long to get this lion…
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Uncategorized | Use Everything For Art

Use Everything for Art
ByRenae Zanella January 6, 2019September 20, 2026

One of my New Years resolutions for 2019 is to create more art. This is a piece I created in January made out of paper towels, lint, fabric softener sheets and acrylic paints. I started saving things I would normally throw away. Things like fabric softener sheets, lint from the dryer, coffee grains, paper towels,…

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love | Only took a year

Only Took A Year
ByRenae Zanella January 2, 2019November 5, 2022
Happy New Years! Another year went by so quick! Well I started this website last year and blogged that one of my goals was to paint more in 2019. I feel good about the art I created but I obviously lost track of getting this website done. So here it is…welcome to my first official…
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