Portrait

2012 / Year in Review

Last year, I compiled my first ever "year in review" and felt very satisfied with my work and how the year ended considering it was my first official year of seriously pursuing photography. I wasn't going to post a year in review for 2012 and a bathroom remodel was making that decision easier, but I was convicted one day that I needed to stop putting tile on the wall and take some time to look back and rejoice in what God had done in order to have faith and excitement for 2013 and beyond.  It has been very good looking back. I'm excited looking forward. 2013 (or year 3 as I like to think of it) will be a big year for me as my vision and experience grows and I'm challenged and needing to push through creative walls. I always find myself wondering how I will make different, more unique and powerful paintings and photographs. Looking back helps me see that in the moment, inspiration does come and by working ideas seem to well up. Even when the ideas don't work or take form working is the key. Maybe this is why its so hard for me to sit around wondering. I pray 2013 is full.  I need so much help to get to this point.  Thank you for supporting me. There is an endless supply of amazing artists in our world, and I often feel very insignificant. More importantly, I also greatly rejoice in who God is and what He has accomplished in and through my work. The people He has brought into my life to serve or work alongside and learn from have been such a blessing and I am quickly realizing how important these relationships are. I hope you enjoy looking back at 2012 with me...there were so many other photographs I wanted to include and not enough paintings. -R

Brandon

My wife and I are minutes away from heading down to Rochester, MN where my brother-in-law is about to undergo surgery for colon cancer.  Brandon has been through so much up to this point, including weeks of chemo and radiation treatment. I covet your prayers and support for him right now.  At 5:45 a.m. on Thursday he will head to the Mayo Clinic and begin prep for a surgery that could take half the day or more.  If you are reading this anytime tonight or Thursday please stop and PRAY.  Thanks for all your support. **update on Brandon 12/8 - Surgery was a success and went very well, but now the long road to full recovery has begun.  Please keep praying.  Brandon will be recovering from surgery for 7-10 days and will need another 4 months or so of Chemo therapy.  What a heroic time for Brandon.  By God's help, he has made it thus far, but needs our prayers and support even more now. Keep it up!

 

we love you Brandon.