Hello!
My name is JENNY MCCONNELL
I began my art journey in 2014. During that time, I found God in a fresh and deep way that lead to a journey of healing and recognising how deeply I am loved by my Papa God. My identity evolved from shame and self hatred to knowing who I am in Jesus and to self love. The more time I spent with Jesus the more my relationship with Him grew and matured and I began to hear His voice for my life. In this time, God made it clear that He wanted me to paint for Him. In 2016, I began selling my work around the world. This then led me to writing my book: 'IDENTITY - defined by love.' We do not need to be defined by our; limitations, circumstances, education, socio-economic background, upbringing, job status, or what others think or say or anything else in this world. We can be defined by the unconditional love God has for us. My desire is that people would know; who they are in Jesus, their worth, and how valuable they are to Him.
I am convinced that knowing His love is the secret to inner healing, peace, and freedom.
About my Art
My art often comes with a scripture and is usually steeped in symbolisms that means something to me.
Humming Bird: Represents the Holy Spirit as it hovers like the Holy Spirit did in Genesis 1:2. They make the infinity symbol with their wings in order to hover. We are given eternal life if we believe in what Jesus said and did (John 3:16). The Humming Bird drinks nectar and we are taught to speak life giving words like honey comb (Proverbs 16:24). Humming birds can fly many miles without a break. In the scriptures we are taught to persevere (James 1 :12, 2 Thessalonians 3:5).
Birds: Symbolises trusting in God to take care of us because he takes care of the birds and we are even more valuable (Matthew 6:26). They also symbolise freedom to me. The more we let go and trust, the more liberated we become. I love the reference in the movie: 'The Shack' when 'God' says that we were created to be loved just like birds were created to fly, that being unloved is like clipping the wings of a bird.
Butterfly: Butterflies go through a metamorphosis, we are called to grow from Glory to Glory, to keep transforming in Him (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Trees: There is so much scripture about being like trees, rooted in the word of God that gives life to others (Jeremiah 17:8, Psalm 1:3, Psalm 52:8, Proverbs 3:18, Proverbs 11:30, Ezekiel 47:12).
Fruit: The bible talks about how important is to keep growing in the Spirit and bear righteous fruit. I am always praying for the fruit of the spirit in my home and in me (Galatians 5:22) also read Jeremiah 12:2,).
Flowers: We are called to follow Jesus and grow and blossom with the help of Holy Spirit, as we do this we become more beautiful, like a bouquet of flowers. We begin to carry His aroma, His sweet fragrance that effects and blesses others around us (Ephesians 5:1 -2, Song of Song 6:2, Lilies: SS 2:1 -2, Hosea 14:5-6).
Hidden: Sometimes my girls are half hidden, this is based on Psalm 17:8 (Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings). We are safe from the enemy, hidden in Christ Jesus.
Water/Ocean: We are called to be baptised in water that symbolises dying to our old ways of living and coming alive as a new creation in Christ (Acts 2:38), Jesus describes himself as the living water and if we drink from Him and His words, we will no longer thirst (John 4:14), I talk about soaking in God's presence and being saturated by the Holy Spirit. The few times that I have been overtaken by the Holy Spirit, I describe as 'swimming' in the Holy Spirit. Water is symbolic of being refreshed and resting too. (Read: Hebrews 10:22, Isaiah 12:3, Isaiah 44:3, Isaiah 58:11, John 3:5, John 4:10, Matthew 10:42, Psalm 23:2).
Bridal Dress: The bride of Christ is very symbolic and scriptures refer to this analogy many times. The Bride represents the 'Church' which is another word for 'body of believers.' We are to prepare for the day we will meet the Lord face to face. The way the scriptures portray the 'marriage' of the 'bride' and the 'bridegroom' is beautiful and romantic... we are the 'wife' of the Lamb (Jesus) (Revelation 21:9). It even talks about how the Maker is our husband (Isaiah 54:5). It mentions that the way a bridegroom feels about his bride is the same way God feels about us (Isaiah 62:5). More scripture: Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:2, John 3:29).
Oil: Often I'll have gold in my paintings to represent anointing oil. The oil is directly linked and is a symbolic of the Holy Spirit and being anointed by Him. When we spend time praying, we are in His presence and we can often feel the anointing presence of the Holy Spirit. The bible talks about when we are anointed with the Holy Spirit we walk in power. (Please read Luke 4:18, Acts 10:38). Matthew 24:45-51 talks about the wise virgins who had enough oil and the virgins who didn't. When we spend time with God over months and years and read His word, we are gaining oil (wisdom, knowledge, understanding, growth, revelation and the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.) It takes years of growing in Him and getting this oil, this anointing, this power.
She Art - $100 each
50% of the profits of these girls go to International Justice Mission - a non-profit organisation that brings freedom to girls taken captive around the world and sold in the sex slavery industry. I do commissions, and can make the hair and eye color the same as the person you wish the painting to be of. Yes, I can do boys too!
