My painting is a prayer. Every piece in this gallery has a story, a scripture, or a prayer that inspired its creation. I hope my art inspires you to explore the gift of creativity yourself!
Abundant Life
“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10
This piece invites contemplation and hope — a visual reminder that life, even when layered and complex, is held within God’s abundant care.
Like a Tree Planted by Water
“They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.” Jeremiah 17:8
Like a Tree Planted by Water is an original watercolor painting inspired by the quiet strength and deep trust described in the prophet Jeremiah. Circular shapes and patterned details suggest water, growth, and the unseen rhythms that sustain life beneath the surface.
The Light in the Darkness
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Isaiah 9:2
With layers of deep blues and indigo forming a grounded, stone-like landscape below and luminous circles of golden light gathering above — radiant, alive, and gently breaking through the darkness, this piece reflects the mystery of God’s light. His pure light is not overpowering, but steady and faithful, appearing even when the path ahead feels uncertain. The gold tones symbolize divine presence and promise, while the darker hues speak to seasons of waiting, struggle, and trust.
He Turned My Tears to Rain
As I painted this piece, I reflected on how the Lord truly is redeeming all of my sorrows and the tears He collected in His bottle. He has transformed my tears into rain so that beauty now blooms from my story. I believe He will do the same for you.
The Trees Will Sing for Joy
“Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord.”
1 Chronicles 16:33
A gathering of whimsical trees fills the composition — each one unique in color, form, and movement — yet together creating a chorus of life, rhythm, and delight. Soft greens, blues, and gentle gold accents suggest harmony, renewal, and the quiet celebration found in God’s creation.
This piece is an invitation to notice joy woven into the natural world — a reminder that praise does not belong to words alone, but rises from leaves, branches, and every living thing created by God.
The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God
I love meditating on the power and majesty, the beauty of God revealed in creation. As I painted this watercolor, I pondered Psalm 19.
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
You Are My Sunshine
Joy was the emotion inspiring me as I painted this warm and cheerful watercolor. I pray that this bright playful painting will bring joy to your heart and home.
Breathing in Peace
Painting this abstract watercolor was so calming and prayerful that I found myself breathing in God’s peace with every brushstroke. I pray that this peaceful image will calm your heart and mind as you gaze upon it. Breathe in His peace!
Keep Me in Your Peace
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.” Isaiah 26:3
Christ the Bridegroom
This is my icon style drawing of Christ the Bridegroom. In 2019, He stole my heart and I have dedicated my life to loving Him and spreading the sweet fragrance of His love all around.
“Awake, north wind, come, wind of the south! Breathe over my garden, to spread its sweet smell around. Let my Beloved come into his garden, let him taste its rarest fruits.” Song of Songs 4:16
Resting Under the Apple Tree
This watercolor landscape was inspired by verse 2:3 of the Song of Songs: “As an apple tree among the trees of the orchard, so is my Beloved among the young men.”
Hope in Bloom
A watercolor sketch reflection on the power of the Cross of Christ to bring new life in the most unexpected places.
Put on the Glory of God (Baruch 5:1-4)
In my ministry with survivors of domestic abuse, this verse from the book of Baruch comes up often. The gold highlights in this watercolor are a reminder that as daughters of God, we are royalty. He has placed a diadem of His glory upon our heads.
"Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem,
and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God.
Put on the robe of the righteousness that comes from God;
put on your head the diadem of the glory of the Everlasting;
for God will show your splendor everywhere under heaven.
For God will give you evermore the name,
“Righteous Peace, Godly Glory.”
Peace of God
An abstract meditation on Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.”
Prayer Sweet as Honey
I loved painting this colorful blooming honeycomb! So often in Scripture meditating and speaking the Word of God is compared to the sweetness of honey.
"The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes... more precious than gold, yes, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, and the droppings of the honeycomb". Psalm 19:10
How sweet it is to meditate on the Word of God while painting!
My Cup Overflows Psalm 23 Watercolor
“You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.” Psalm 23:5-6
Lord, fill my cup to overflowing with Your love!
Faith, Hope, and Love
A simple watercolor to remind us of what is of the utmost importance.
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
The Tree of Life
The fruit of the Tree of Life is the Eucharist, the “medicine of immortality”.
“On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be found there any more.” Revelation 22:2
Roses of Tepeyac
In 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego and asked him to climb Tepeyac Hill and gather the flowers he found there. When he reached the top of the hill, he was amazed to find Spanish Castilian Roses blooming in the Mexican desert - during winter!
I love to envision Our Lady’s Mantle and the Roses of Tepeyac artistically. This is one of many variations of my paintings that honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Wildflower Dance
What a delight it is to paint these colorful purple wildflowers! As I painted, I felt as though the paintbrush in my hand was dancing.
Mantle of Stars
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the ministry I founded, Hope’s Garden. At Hope’s Garden, we ministry to survivors of domestic abuse and betrayal trauma. We pray that Our Lady of Guadalupe will keep us all enfolded in her mantle of comfort and protection. I paint these images of her mantle as a reminder of her message to St. Juan Diego:
“Do not be bothered or afflicted by anything; do not be afraid of getting sick, or of another painful accident or pain. Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not life and health? Are you not on my lap and under my care? Do you need anything else?”
Mystical Rose (Sparkle)
As I prayed for the recipient of this custom painting, I imagined the love of Christ bursting forth from within her soul as sparkling fractals of light. To achieve that effect, I used an acrylic medium thick with iridescent particles.
Seek What Is Above
This custom paining was truly a work born from prayer. All I knew about the recipient was that he was persevering in a long arduous journey and needed some encouragement. As I prayed and asked the Lord to help me design an image, I had a sense that what this gentleman needed to know was that he had already overcome many mountains in his life and as long as he kept seeking the light from above, he would arrive at a season of peace and rest.
Hive of Holiness
Designing and creating this painting was such a prayerful experience. As I prayed and asked the Lord what image He wanted me to paint for the recipient, I was inspired by the teachings of St. Francis de Sales. St.Francis exhorts us to be as a mystical bee in our prayer and to drink deeply of the sweet nectar of God.
I envisioned pondering God’s mysteries within the heart to be like the process of transforming nectar into honey in the hive. Oh what sweet honey the mystical bee can make! What joy to share the Lord's sweetness with others. What if every heart became a "hive of holiness"?
Psalm 104:34 "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."
Nectar of Love
One of the titles for our Blessed Mother is Mystical Rose. When I have pondered the meaning of this title, I have imagined Mary as a beautiful perpetually blooming rose whose fragrance is so sweet that it allures the Holy Trinity to her as bees are drawn to the irresistible perfume of a rose. This painting was inspired by my contemplation of Mary, Mystical Rose of God, and the image of the Holy Trinity as mystical bees seeking the sweet nectar of her holiness.
Consider the Wildflowers
This painting was just a joy to paint! It began as a challenge to use the leftover paint on my granddaughters’ palettes. I am so glad I didn’t just toss those paper plate palettes in the trash. As the image took shape in my mind and then on the canvas, I was reminded of the scripture verse about wildflowers. And what began as a way not to waste paint became a cheerful, colorful reminder of God’s providence and loving care.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28
Blooming Together
In my ministry to women who have been victims of domestic abuse, I often tell the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. Our Lady cares for us and keeps us enfolded in her mantle just as she tenderly cared for and enfolded the miraculous roses on Tepeyac Hill in Juan Diego’s tilma. I pray for all victims of domestic abuse every time I paint this image. May Mother Mary enfolded us all in her mantle of comfort and protection where we will bloom together.
Our Lady’s Roses
The blue roses are a reminder of Mary, Mystical Rose, and her blue mantle in which she enfolds all her precious sons and daughters.
Golden
“This painting means so much to me; first because Laura prayed about it throughout the painting process, and she also prayed for me personally. And then, Jesus led her to a song titled “I’m Golden”, so that is the name of my painting. It’s beautiful and so special to me. Thank you Laura for your special gift.” Lisa O’Leary
Blooming in the Darkness
“My painting was my prayer late last night. I had no idea what image I would paint just that I needed to let the thoughts and emotions stirring in my heart find expression.
As I swirled iridescent graphite, metallic black, silver, and iridescent white paints together I pondered how the light of Christ pierces through our darkest days and touches the deep hidden places within that seem to have grown cold and become lifeless. And in the secret depths of our being the seeds that we didn't even know had been planted, begin to awaken.
The tenderness of His love nurturing and stretching these seeds until one day you notice that a new flower has bloomed. It seems so sudden but in truth the process had begun unbeknownst to you... deep underground, in the stillness and darkness of winter... just like the first crocus of a long-awaited springtime.
So if you are enduring a long, cold, and dark winter, (not just physically!) may this painting remind you that the beauty of spring is only possible because of the hidden growth that happens in winter.”
From my journal
