New Page 1

Welcome to the Café Art Gallery!

My name is Gale Smith, wife of Maurice, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to share with all of you this section of the Parousia Network Café.

It has been my desire for quite some time to share with the Christian community at large about the importance of expression in the visual arts. It seems to be an area of neglect for many years and has been viewed as less important than other more spiritual pursuits.

I’m sure you are familiar with the term frequently used at art sales as the “Starving Artist’s Sale” - financially speaking. If I may go one step further : artists are “starving” for the freedom to share their artistic gifts with the world! It has been viewed by some to be secondary in its significance and therefore, artists have not been given opportunity to freely express through their artistic gifts the heart of God and His creation. It is such an important part of God’s design and plan for the artist to reveal a whole different side of God and to give opportunity to praise and worship Him through the visual arts. This can also be applied to the arts in many other areas, such as, music, drama, dance etc. (and could possibly be a further extension in the future for this website).

Many years ago, I co-founded an artists’ guild called “The King’s Art Guild” at the church which we were attending in Denver. My friend, Valerie, and I were interested in gathering Christian artists together to share their artistic talent and ideas. It was to encourage all of us to not only keep the creative juices flowing but to help all of us understand and recognize the importance and significance of the God-given gifts and talents each of us have received—and with that, seeking a way to share this with others to express and communicate God’s message of love and His overall joy in the world He has created!

This is where the “Café Art Gallery” can become an extension of this vision of many years ago. Why not have an on-line artist’s gallery where artists are welcomed to share their artistic gifts and talents in order to bring to light what God has given them, as well as to be an encouragement to all—artists and non-artists alike!? For too long I believe we all (myself included!) have suppressed the significance of the artist and his/her work when it comes to the expression of worship and adoration of God the Creator! It’s time to change all that and this can be the beginning!

This will be an ongoing, ever-changing web section, We want to see lots and lots of artist’s work and creative expression!

I would enjoy hearing from you, artists and non-artists! Please contact me at:

For now, I will be the first to share “my art ~ from my heart to yours”!

MAY HE RECEIVE ALL THE GLORY!!!! Gale A.Smith

Unauthorized copying of these images by any method is strictly prohibited.

"The Christian is the one whose imagination should fly beyond the stars." -Francis A. Schaeffer

Catnip Catnap

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

During the long, hot summer days our cat, Socks, could be found in the shade of the Iris and intoxicating Catnip for a much needed mid-day rest. I discovered this beautiful light-filled moment and took the candid shot. It was purr...fect for a pastel painting!

From Glory To Glory

“But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as the Lord, the Spirit.” II Corinthians 3:18

Several years ago I received these beautiful Hyacinth flowers for Mother’s Day. One day I set them outside in the sunlight. I was so awestruck by the beauty and the stark contrast, I took photos to try to capture the moment. I then decided that this was a great subject to paint.

In the Light of His Word

“Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

This pastel is of my daughter, Melanie, and our cat, Callie. I came upon this very special scene early one morning and was so taken by the powerful light effect upon these subjects, I knew immediately this was a painting just waiting to be painted!

Showers of Blessings

“And I will cause showers to come down in their season, and they will be showers of blessing..” Ezekiel 34:26

An idea I desired to express was one of a young child’s sheer delight and abandoned joy in a drenching rain shower. I wanted it to represent the joy of the child of God who delights in the “showers of blessing” pouring down from above! This was done in pastel/colored pencil mixture.

New Creature ~ New Life

“Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come.” II Corinthians 5:17

I was inspired to paint this pastel portrayal of a butterfly. It seemed to communicate the feeling of freedom of a new believer in Christ ~ a “new creature” leaving the “old” behind. What an amazing free gift for all who receive!

He Is My Rock

“I love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my salvation in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 18: 1 & 2

A tranquil setting with the Great Blue Heron is a typical scene we viewed just outside our back door when we lived on the Spokane River for several years. It was an amazing blessing!

Promise of Peace

“And the wolf will dwell with the lamb.” Isaiah 11:6

I decided it was time to set the record straight ! — it is the “wolf dwelling with the lamb”, as stated in Isaiah 11:6. (Most artists have made it popular to depict the lion and the lamb. ~ and yes, in that same verse it states that “the leopard lies down with the kid” (i.e. baby goat!) (stay tuned!)

Friends

“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

This is a “pawtrait” of our friend, Garold’s two beloved cats, “Toad” and “Monk” , which I recently painted in pastel for his birthday. I thought it would be interesting to entitle it “Friends” and thought this verse would fit as well. Cats do have attitudes and aren’t always the best of buddies but these guys are definitely Garold’s loyal friends!