Using a method taught to me by a close friend and fellow crafter, and following after the method used by the Huichol Indians, this broken board was made into a cross and used as a canvas to illustrate the Names of Jesus.

A tacky wax known as "Tackee Wax" (from an internet company Primitaveoriginals.com) is coated evenly on the wood. A design is carved into the wax, then, one at a time, size 11 seed beads are placed into the wax following the drawn patterns.

It Is Well With My Soul

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Yupo

From the Hymn by Horatio Spafford and Phillip Bliss

Peaceful Sky, Storm Clouds, Calm Water, Rocky Ground

"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers." 3 John 2

What Others Have Said....

Sandra, this is amazing!! Looks so 'other worldly' the detail is fabulous. I love your color choices.

WOW!! Sandra I love this. I love the combination of purple and yellow in this!

Sandra, immense lovely colors. Great concept

Very Special! I love it!!!

You did it!! This one has WOW factor

WELCOME!

Thank you for taking time to review my art.

At this time, there have been people from 13 countries view my work. May each painting bring honor to God and the amazing people that wrote each of these hymns.

My work is watercolor on a plastic paper called Yupo. Pronounced "You-po". Yupo does not absorb water like traditional watercolor paper. Therefore, when the paint is applied, the water evaporates and the pigment is left on top of the paper. Images are revealed by removing paint and allowing the paper to show through. Paint can be applied over existing paint, but extreme caution must be used to not disturb the under layer of color.

There are many "tools" that can be used to manipulate the paint. A damp brush, sponge, tissue, coffee filter, or even a plastic shopping bag can be used to create texture and assist in creating the image desired.

"Painting" a hymn, was not my choice. It was chosen for me. I applied the paint to the paper, covered it with a plastic shopping bag and went to bed. In the morning I checked to see if the paint had dried, removed the plastic, and started humming "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul". The rest, as they say, is history.

Each painting is created in the same way. Paint is washed on the paper and God puts the song in my heart. You better know a lot of hymns if you are going to watch paint dry....Sandra

The Solid Rock

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Yupo

From the hymn by Mote & Bradbury

"They drank from the spiritual rock....Christ"
1 Corinthians 10:4

What Others Have Said....

Gosh..that is amazing!!

This is magnificent...Wow!

Love this work, Sandra. Great greens..excellent painting technique..simply wonderful.

This is incredible! I tried to paint on Yupo and found it was as easy to paint on as it would be to stay balanced on a greased beach ball!
That really is amazing!

Morning Has Broken

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Yupo

From the hymn by Eleanor Farjeon from a Traditional Gaelic Melody arranged by Mark Hayes

I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord - Psalm 57: 8-9

What Others Have Said....

This is beautiful..It's perfect...It's amazing

This has such a tranquil early morning atmosphere...It's beautiful, just beautiful..

Amazing Mood!!!

Whooow!!!! The sky, the colours...It's wonderful. I love it very very much. Congratulations!!
Gives a feeling that "Morning has broken" but hasn't quite reached the spot where you are viewing from with the sunlight and warmth...but you know it will!

The reflections in this painting are beautiful.

Make Me a Channel of Blessing

9" x 12" Watercolor on Yupo

Hymn by Harper G. Smyth.

"I will bless you...and you will be a blessing" - Genesis 12:2

What Others Have Said...

I am Breathless!

This is wonderful Sandra - great depth and detail especially for Yupo - love the colors, reflections and waterfall.

Lovely, Sandra! Beautiful reflections! I've not tried Yupo; I'm not brave enough yet!

This is beyond gorgeous Sandra! The water is so beautifully smooth... on Yupo no less... WOW ...I can only echo what the others have already said. This is great.

This is FANTASTIC! It has a real depth of beauty in it.

Higher Ground

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Yupo

From the Hymn by Oatman, Jr. & Gabriel

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize...in Christ Jesus" - Phillippians 3:14

Please note-there is no door knob...but there is a key hole.

What Others Have Said....

Wow! Very well done, on Yupo no less

Interesting color choices! Feels charged and... dare I say fiery? Very bold! –

Wow! Great color, very 3-D - neat effect and intriguing composition

This is my Fathers World

Watercolor on 9" x 12" Yupo

Hymn is by Babcock & Sheppard

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" - Genesis 1:1

What Others Have Said...

WOW!!! Great title and then great illustration of that hymn!!! You’re a natural at this Yupo Sandra!!! Impressive!!

Very, very nice! You can just about hear nature singing!

Woweeeeee.. I can hear this speak to me..

Absolutely lovely. Really makes me rush off to put on my pullover!!!

He Lives!

9" x 12" Watercolor on Yupo.

Hymn by Alfred Ackley

"Go quickly and tell..."He has risen from the dead" - Matthew 28:7

What Others Have Said....

Wonderful colors and texture!!!

A simple piece in its composition but with a powerful effect.
Way to go! The textures are fabulous once again!

Nice one, Sandra! I'd really love to watch you do one of these!

Heavenly Sunlight

9" x 12" Watercolor on Yupo

From the Hymn by Zelley & Cook

God...made his light shine in our hearts..2 Corinthians 4:6

What Others Have Said....

You have captured both the magic of transparent watercolors and the extraordinary effect the surface of YUPO lends to it.

This is a really amazing painting. I hope you will mat and frame it. It deserves to be hanging on a wall so it can brighten the day of anyone who sees it

What a magnificent painting!! Incredible what you're doing with Yupo

Beautiful sun effect and superb use of Yupo!

Your Yupo work is terrific. Nicely done! Love that texture!

We've A Story to Tell

9" x 12" Watercolor on Yupo

From the hymn by Ernest Nichol

"This gospel...will be preached...to all nations". Matthew 24:14

"Our" story...Birth (baby is wrapped in yellow)...Death (cross is in the center) ...Resurrection (represented by the light on the left). Just thought I would help you out!

What Others Have Said...

Beautiful colours and shapes. Must try this Yupo!

Sandra , This is Phenomenal !! I have never used Yupo , but understand it is very difficult to control. What ever the case may be this is really an Exciting work !!!!

Great work Sandra. Lovely structure

Considering my own irrational fear, I can't help but respect anyone who uses Yupo, especially when it works, as this one does.

Count Your Blessings

9" x 12" Watercolor on Yupo

Hymn is by Johnson Oatman, Jr., & E. O. Excell

This is one of my favorite hymns. "Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love." Psalm 107:31

What Others Have Said...

You made that media work. Love the colors, perfect for water!

Wow, Sandra! Great colours, and the song is a good reminder, too

Dramatic and wonderful sky!! Fits your theme well

So good..It needs an award!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

8 1/2" x 11" Watercolor on Yupo

The hymn is by Garo Christians & John Clark

"Whoever serves me must follow me" - John 12:26

The inspiration for the subject is my Granddaughter, Megan. At age 8 she came to me and said "Grandma, I've decided to follow Jesus".

What Others Have Said...

Sandra, you are a genius with this Yupo!!!!!!! Another BEAUTY, both granddaughter and painting!!!

Oh my gosh- this is amazing- and to lift out the image- and to do it on Yupo- good heavens, this should inspire anyone and everyone! I love it.

Another new approach to watercolor the lifting is so well done.

Exceptional!!! I love the idea of it, how very clever of you. Beautiful work.

Really well done!!!!!!!!!

Room At The Cross

8 1/2" x 11" Watercolor on Yupo

From the hymn by Ira Stanphill

"Whoever comes to me I will never drive away - John 6:37

I love the words to this chorus "Tho' millions have come, There's still room for one"

What other have said....

In a word... WOW... this has impact... beautiful use of colour and line... Wow...

Well done..powerful image and pure clean colors!

Ohhh MY! That’s an AMAZING piece!!

The Old Rugged Cross

Watercolors on Yupo
8 1/2" x 11"

From the hymn by George Bennard

"Carrying his own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull - John 19:17

What Others have said.....

WOW!!! Impressive!Not what I was expecting, but then it never is, you have executed a fine painting Bravo!!

Powerful image; well designed; colors are lovely; good work

Oh you didn’t say it was Yupo, even more awesome!!!

WOW! Fabulous work and incredible that you achieved this level of detail on Yupo. I love it.

How beautiful!! And that is such a wonderful idea to "paint a hymn".Thanks for the inspiration!

That is one of my absolute favorite hymns!!! That piece is fabulous!

Love Lifted Me

Watercolor on Yupo

8 1/2" x 11"

From the hymn by James Rowe & Howard E. Smith

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit...He set my feet on a rock" Psalm 40:2

What others have said....

That is one of my absolute favorite hymns!!! That piece is fabulous!

What a beautiful 3 dimensional effect you get with Yupo -- from what I hear, this is a very difficult paper. You have done a great job and the title just lifts me up.

You are achieving some phenomenal effects with Yupo! This one looks almost three dimensional.

Wow!! I love this. I also love the reference to the psalm. Very fitting! Thanks for sharing.

The yellows and he pinks transform the painting into abstract level. Amazing experiment with yupo.

In the Garden

Watercolor on Yupo
8 1/2" x 11"

From the hymn by C. Austin Miles

"She turned...and saw Jesus - John 20:14

What others have said....

Beautiful and moody painting!!! Gorgeous reflections

Wonderful colours. Very atmospheric. Well done.

Your painting is wonderful - I like what you do with Yupo.

Sandra, I love your painting, what a great job you did with the reflections on a Yupo paper.

Beautiful garden painting!!!

This is very nice, I like the colours, and the reflections-----well done

Watercolor collage

Watercolor collage on Yupo
8 1/2" x 11".

Isaiah 64:6 "All of us are dirty with sin. All the right things we have done are like filthy pieces of cloth. All of us are like dead leaves, and our sins, like the wind, have carried us away." NCV

What others have said....

Very powerful. Love how you take lines from scripture and paint these compelling images.

This one is a Blue Ribbon Winner!

Wonderful painting and illustrates the verse so well!!

This is beautiful! I can see I'm going to have to get my Yupo out and start experimenting again! What a great message in this, and I believe the Lord will use this in a wonderful way!

Wow, those colors are powerful! I love each one you post, but I think this is my favorite, so far at least. Keep on painting!

Heaven Came Down

Watercolor on Yupo
4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

From the hymn by John W. Peterson

"Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him" - Acts 9:3

What others have said....

Beautiful! I love the unusual colours, and the textures are great! But mostly, I'm amazed by all the symbolism I see in here. Thanks so much for posting this!

Wow! Great technique with the rock and shrub formations on Yupo!

Amazing! This is wonderful. Love the hint of golden glow.

Wow, I love the way you have depicted this! A waterfall filling/overfilling a pool might be seen as chaotic or perhaps even stressful. But the softness of how the water is depicted makes it seem like a waterfall cloud that surrounds you and comforts you and puts you at joyful peace. You truly have a gift! Please keep painting and posting these!

I absolutely LOVE that hymn and this painting with it's unusual colors do give you that feeling of "heaven"!!

Glowing colours, mystical effects, surely soul filling poetry in colour.

He Hideth My Soul

Watercolor on Yupo paper. Size is 8 1/2 " x 11"

From the hymn by Fanny J. Crosby & William Kirkpatrick

"I will put you in the cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand" - Exodus 33:22

What others have said...

Awesome work SLCOX!!! you seem to be an overnight master of Yupo.

Beautiful effects on the rocks with texture and colors!

This is really beautiful!

What a beautiful piece. I too am a fan of the old hymns. There is so much poetry and meaning and history behind them that you don't often see in today’s contemporary songs (though I'm still a fan of those too). I love the way you've painted the light of God and how he shields those who seek him. Shields us sometimes when we don't even deserve it! His love is amazing and I thank you for sharing these. Please post more!!!

Wow- it is a stunner of a painting. I am not sure how well hidden the soul would be with all that blinding light, but it is super beautiful and gets the point across. Or perhaps the blinding light is God hiding the soul, which we can't see. Either way pretty amazing and beautiful.