 Stephen S. Sawyer is a Kentucky portrait artist whose favorite subject is Jesus of Nazareth. Stephen is internationally known for his "Art for God" series. The reproductions can be found in over 100 countries and in every state of the union. Stephen's need to visually express the profound nature of his faith is the driving momentum and influence behind his work. The "Art for God" Museum in Versailles, Kentucky opened in January, 2000 for the permanent viewing of the original paintings. In the last three years, Stephen has been in over twenty exhibitions in America, plus others in Germany and England. In addition to showing his paintings, Stephen speaks to youth groups, churches, conventions and schools. steve@art4God.com www.art4God.com The Art for God Museum 143 Lexington Street Versailles, KY 40383 859-873-0120 Stephen S. Sawyer Studio 859-873-0110 |
| Personal Testimonies by Fellowship
Members The Withered Hand by Stephen S. Sawyer  ooking
back it has all made sense. I won my first portrait contest for the
city of Lexington, Kentucky in second grade. More importantly, I remember
winning the eternal prize in kindergarten when I chose God to be my
friend and helper one very difficult night.
In 1975 I graduated from college and many other things that year. I set down my schoolbooks and picked up the Bible. I studied and read many books that year. As a portrait artist I knew there was a vacuum in Christian art where much of who I knew Jesus to be was unsaid with paint. I studied, waited, and improved my skills in portraiture and worship for twenty years. I knew from experience that I needed to go to Israel for research before I could begin my series of paintings that were at that time still a dream and a prayer. Israel was only part of the catalyst that would open my mind. I went to Israel in 1994. I stayed for ten days. A year after my return I was feeling like my dream would never come to fruition. In my life, I know God wants to know how badly I want something. Will I wait twenty years? Do I believe enough? Do I have the courage and skill? Will I give up everything to serve the Kingdom in this way? Will I be willing to re-invent myself to live and make progress on each new spiritual scaffold I find in front of me? Yes. The answer to all the silent questions from God is always "yes". During the last five years, 1995 through 2000, I have pursued my life as a child of God, as a portrait artist, as a Christian portrait artist, and as "co-creator with God" in the ART for GOD series, with ever-increasing fervor. ART for GOD prints were in more than 100 countries around the world by the end of 1997. I have traveled around the United States and Europe to promote my work. In 1999 I began "The Withered Hand"* Tour. This is my traveling ministry taken to the next scaffold. As a ministry it is imperative that I do more than sell my work. I must promote relationship with God. Speaking to people around the country about 'tithing their talents' is the focus of "The Withered Hand"* Tour. Looking back over the years, it was the tithing of my talents that led me to my present position. Would I have made the same choices if I had known the outcome, the cost, and the twenty-year wait? I thank God for not letting me see or know too much at any given moment so that I won't mess it up. I remember the moment I asked God to commission me to be His Son's portrait artist. Very much has happened since then. My life has changed and so have the lives of many other people. This reminds me of when I play chess. I am actually "engaging" the other person, creating lures to have him move in a certain direction. I believe that God does the same thing. I truly enjoy the analogy found in chess because one of the most important things to learn is that the pawn can win the game. I am grateful to be a pawn on the chessboard of God. I want to be moved. I want to be sacrificed for the good of the whole if necessary. Mostly, I want to make it to the other side of the board so that I can become a greater piece, more capable of creating and accomplishing greater things for the Kingdom of God. I am daily challenged by God to move forward, to advance in the Kingdom, to become more trustworthy and useful in the Kingdom. I also experience that I move myself at times, influenced by being "anxious and afraid" of some imaginary outcome. "Playing chess with God" is thus an intimate relationship for me. I see how God moves in the lives of others and sometimes, seeing how they react to life, imagine a Bobby Fischer championship where dozens of people are playing to defeat Bobby as an opponent and they are helpless. Some people feel that God is their adversary rather than their teacher. I want God to win but I also want to use of my free-will to "engage" Him and surprise Him (as it were) with my resourcefulness. The value of one man's contribution can be felt over a long period of time as can the number of lives he affects. Obviously, the value of the contribution Jesus made as the "Son of Man" and the "Son of God" will be felt for eternity and the number of lives will be infinite. Although the impact my life can make will stand in the shadow of the Savior and God I adore, I nevertheless have the opportunity, knowing that I will leave a mark as all people do, to achieve the "well done" from My Father. I am a minister for the Kingdom of God with my art as my testimony. The ART for GOD series is biographical and chronological. As I move into the divine embrace, my work reflects my heart and my struggle. This started when I was five. Be patient. In His Service and yours, Stephen S. Sawyer Versailles, Kentucky October, 2000 * "The Withered Hand" Tour is the extension of what God did and is doing in my life to make the talents, that come from my hands, become holy. I travel and speak to churches around the United States and Europe to encourage and pray for those who desire to "tithe their talents" into the Kingdom and glorify God. |
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