“He Made the Sea”
Michael Lanka
oil on canvas
 
www.mikelanka.com
 
Available.  Contact artist. info@mikelanka.com

COMMENTS BY THE ARTIST    “He Made the Sea” is a painting that was inspired by a walk in solitude along the Pacific Ocean at Ocean Shores, WA on a cold, windy, stormy January day, in 2012. This was not an ordinary comfortable day at the beach.  I was witness to the energy of a massive storm that came over the Pacific Ocean creating elements of nature including high winds, sideways rains, and treacherous surging waves that made it difficult even to stay upright at times. With winds over 50 mph and ocean swells as high as a single story house, one could feel God’s glory in the majesty of His creation.  With every step, I observed the waves that crashed onto the shore and I could feel God’s presence.  I wanted to paint the waves just as I saw them, and prayed that I could get close enough to observe the action but not get swept up by a rogue wave. At times it seemed that a safe distance quickly became unpredictably challenging where beach quickly tuned to water. I realized it could be dangerous. Trust in God gave me the courage and strength to persevere and walk along the treacherous beach. The next day the storm was over and calmness returned. In my studio, I had the fresh renewed feeling in my soul from my walk along the beach, as well as feeling of comfort that the storm was over.  As a result, I began to produce a series of several ocean scenes, of which this one is my favorite creation theme.  I find the stormy ocean a major subject matter of my paintings. I am reminded of Genesis 1:6-7:  Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”  God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was...

What creation means to me when I paint, is about terrific forces or energy, and of letting go - letting the Spirit guide me through the process of completing a painting. I do not over think my paintings.  Inspiration comes to me often at times that it actually overwhelms me and I cannot stop until I am exhausted.   I am grateful every day to be inspired by nature around us, and hope that my artwork provides inspiration and testament to God’s creation as well as gives one strength through turbulent  times.  

I am inspired by the sea and appreciate every day the gift that God has given me. Painting is a way for me to express myself and to share my vision of nature.  I hope to shine the radiance of God's grace through my artwork, and hope to uplift the spirit of those that experience my works.