Art for the Heart
Your support will help equip Christians in the public schools promote religious and academic freedom to teach about the Bible and Christianity. As our way of saying “thank you” for your gift of $500 or more, you can choose to receive a stretched canvas print of Under God, a New Birth of Freedom or The Lion of Judah in the Garden of Gethsemane. (If you would like us to send it to someone else, see the note on the giving page.)
Under God, a New birth of freedom
16 x 20 print on stretched canvas.
While in Washington, D.C. last year, Kim and I visited the Lincoln memorial. It was evening and the warm lights of the Memorial illuminated the statue. I was inspired by the solemnity of the atmosphere.
As we stood in front of Lincoln’s statue I imagined Union troops marching into battle behind him to symbolize his famous words in his Gettysburg Address: “we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”
The Lion of Judah in the garden of gethsemane
11 x 14 print on stretched canvas
In these challenging times, I hope that The Lion of Judah in the Garden of Gethsemane will remind you of, and inspire you with, the strength and heavenly focus Jesus had as he faced terrible hardship.
In the lion’s eye, I saw the look of strength but also concern. He was sitting firm and resolute, looking up at the light. This was Jesus telling his Father he was willing to move forward even while painfully aware of what was ahead (Luke 22:42).
I set the lion underneath an olive tree. The olive branch depicts the historical setting and serves as a symbol of peace – peace between God and us because of Christ (Romans 5:1).
Remember When
11X14 print on stretched canvas.
President Ronald Reagan is remembered for so many things. In this painting, I wanted to depict his love for America, his love for jelly beans, his cowboy spirit, and the dismantling of the Soviet Union (pieces of the Berlin Wall). The way the flag is lying on the table is reminiscent of President Reagan’s famous quote that America is “a shining city on a hill.”
My Art Story
By Eric Buehrer
After the Game
11X14 print on stretched canvas.
Baseball is the great American game and our neighbor is a huge Angels fan. He is such a fan that he has a bedroom dedicated to Angels memorabilia. He kindly let me borrow a few of his treasured pieces to create this tribute to our classic sport. It captures the spirit and passion of baseball, a sport that has been part of American culture for over a century.
I’ve always had an artistic streak in me but painting really captured my heart when my wife, Kim, put something special on my “honey-do list.” When our three daughters were little, they shared the same bedroom. One day, Kim asked me to paint a mural of an outdoor scene on one of their walls. I bought some acrylic poster paint and went to work. She thought it might take a weekend or two for me to complete it. Instead, the project became my Sistine Chapel. I spent weeks painting hills, trees, flowers, and picket fences. After that, I was hooked. I couldn’t stop painting.
When I got home tired from work, I immediately felt energized when I began to paint. I collected books on painting techniques and famous artists to study their work. I took the family to art museums and galleries.
I was hesitant
Someone suggested offering my paintings to Gateways supporters. At first, I wasn’t interested. I reasoned, “I want people to think of education, not art, when they think of me”. But, over time I thought it might be fun to let people know this side of me. If it can help Gateways and delight our supporters, why not? (By the way, I don’t receive any portion of what people give to receive a painting as our “thank-you”.)
For me, seeing a painting emerge from a blank canvas to a finished work is a creative thrill that gives me a deep sense of satisfaction. God designed us to be creative. The idea of beauty rests deep in our souls and I am delighted to make my painting available to you.
Our Thank-you Gift to You
Your support will help equip Christians in the public schools promote religious and academic freedom to teach about the Bible and Christianity. As our way of saying “thank you” for your gift of $500 or more, you can choose to receive a stretched canvas print of Under God, a New Birth of Freedom or The Lion of Judah in the Garden of Gethsemane.
If you would like us to send it to someone else, see the note on the giving page.
(Market value is $100. Therefore, $400, or more, of your gift can be considered a tax-deductible donation for purposes of the IRS. Eric Buehrer receives no portion of the market value nor of the donation.)