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“Perfect
Peace”
David Stickel
Oil on Canvas
A number of years ago an art competition was held with
many artists submitting their finest work. The theme was entitled “Perfect
Peace.” As the judge looked at each painting, he finally narrowed
his choices down to two paintings. One was a peaceful snow scene with
a quiet stream flowing by a snow-covered cabin. It was indeed very peaceful.
The other painting was of a thunderous waterfall with tremendous noise
and spray from the falls. It also portrayed a mother robin feeding her
baby birds in the midst of the noise and water. Which painting took the
top prize? Which would you choose? The winner, according to the judge,
was the birds pictured with the waterfall. He chose it because “perfect
peace” is not just quiet solitude as the snow scene suggested,
but it is the quiet attitude of the heart amidst trouble and turmoil.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because
he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
David L. Stickel
In 1982, David dribbled his way to a Bachelor's degree in Art at UNC-Asheville
on a basketball scholarship. People often comment how unusual it is for
an athlete standing 6'9" to be so artistic. He then launched his
art career at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, TN. David’s use
of light, color and reflections in his paintings encourage one to reflect
on the wonders of the everyday world around us. His work has a timeless
appeal and value and has received numerous honors and awards. David’s
paintings are owned by collectors in the Southeast, Midwest and abroad.
This quality has also been recognized by such organizations as the American
Watercolor Society, and his work has toured with the annual traveling
exhibition. David draws inspiration for his work from his extensive travels,
including two years in Africa, a summer in China, two trips to Europe
and several years in the southwest United States. He is excited to be
back in his beloved North Carolina, surrounded by so much that inspires
him from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the beautiful coastal shores. However,
his deepest motivation and joy is the confidence that his ability to
create works of art is an amazing gift from God. David, his wife Julie,
and their children, make their home in Chapel Hill.
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