I draw because, if for only a moment, it affords me the oppurtunity to travel to the depths of my spirit.  I find truth when I apply a pen to paper, the pens smooth strokes in my hand are aggresive and revealing.  Through my efforts, I am attempting to distill the essence of who I am, and seeking to find the direction of which I'm going.  I hope that through my work, the people of my community are blessed by the revealing nature of Jesus Christ, and the freedom He has restored to my soul.

     When I begin a piece, I take a moment to immerse myself in the spirit of its intent.  I seek to find clarity of vision, through prayer and meditation, and to open my eyes and reveal the focus of my creative energy.  When my work is going well, the experience fills me with a profound sense of beauty and truth.  I am aware that my work has reached completion at the point where my efforts to improve a piece, merely take away from its charisma.  My work is deeply personal in nature.  When people view my work, I like them to be able to see the beauty that dwells in my heart.  In my opinion, a piece of art is done well when the spiritual gravity of the piece easily draws the viewer into its world.

     The beauty of my current work, is the product of my haunting effort to explore the personality of my new found self.  I have formally reconciled who I am, with who I once was.  I now live in relative peace.  My work is a visual depiction of God's plan made reality, as seen by me.

Stewart H. Nicholas