It was hard to believe when Tammy Sawatzky, a writer from the Canadian Mennonite University called me to ask for permission to use one of my paintings, (then on display at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery), to be featured on the cover of the Spring issue of the university’s magazine called The Blazer.

Permission? I was honoured, of course! She even interviewed me about myself and the painting – that was so cool.

The painting is called “Faith“. It is an acrylic painting that was done in three hours with no pre-planning. It is pure inspiration, the result of the “tail-end” of a period of depression. When it comes right down to it, my faith is the bedrock of my life.

It is thrilling to be featured on the cover of a magazine. But this particular painting wouldn’t even exist without pain. I have learned that short term pain is often the only path to long term gain.