Art is often used as a medium to express gratitude to people who have played a large role in the artist’s life. Others, such as Danielle Bae, use their art to praise God and as an offering of thanks for all he has done for them. Bae presents an exhibition of five oil paintings to show her gratitude to God for completing her master of divinity program. Her works are on exhibit at the James White Library Gallery until Nov. 25.
One of these paintings, “Violin & Reflection,” was at one point exhibited at the Carnegie Center for Arts in Three River, Michigan. At the center of the painting is a violin, lying among books and other desk clutter. The overall feeling of the painting is of a moment captured in time.
Another painting, “Golden Vessel,” received a bronze award in Camelback Gallery’s international 2024 realism juried art competition. The painting centers on an elaborate pitcher, with a small glass in the background, reminiscent of each human's potential.
Two other paintings, “Still Life of Fresh Veggies” and “Luminous Candle,” follow a similar style of warm tones, brown hues and everyday objects portrayed in a romantic light.
The fifth painting, “When the Time Comes,” differs from Bae’s other paintings. It is a painting of a marble-like face and upper body of Christ on the cross, with a ray of light shining down on the face of Christ from the top left. There are three crosses at the bottom left of the painting. Her painting of Christ employs the cooler tones of grays, blacks and whites. Her use of a marble statue for the figure of Christ shows Christ's agony and the nearness and pain of death.
Bae relates her story on a plaque near the exhibited paintings. She had wanted to be an artist since she was a little girl. However, when her high school art teacher told her that she would have to pay more money to get into art school, she was discouraged from pursuing that dream. So, instead, she made plans to attend pharmacy school. Before applying, however, Bae made a promise to God that she would show her work throughout her life as a testimony of his faithfulness. She understood that she would need his help to be accepted and succeed in pharmacy school. In the end, God helped her get into the program she wanted, and after three years of working as a pharmacist, she applied to the master of divinity program at Andrews University. Bae studied and worked at Andrews University Theological Seminary. During this time, she met her art mentor, Harry Ahn, and began creating art again.
Experimenting with different mediums such as charcoal, pastel and acrylic painting, Bae found her passion in oil painting. It has a longer drying time, allowing her to make corrections. Using art and remembering her promise, Bae began using oil painting as a medium to display her gratitude and praise to God for all the blessings and faithfulness he had shown her. Bae also sees art as an allegory for life: To achieve a good painting, one needs patience and the courage to ask for feedback; in real life, one needs to be patient as God works on their life and should seek his feedback on their character.
Her story and her art are inspiring not for our skills as humans but for God’s faithfulness and unending love. So why don’t you stop by the James White Library and experience these wonderful paintings, especially now that you know their story? Breathe in the wonderful art and praise the goodness and faithfulness of our creator.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.