Artwork · Between the Footprints in the Sand
Between the Footprints in the Sand
"Even when life is throwing curve balls at me, God's presence remains. All I had to do was surrender."~ Natasha Nanda
Scriptures that walked with this piece
"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you..."
The sea in this painting makes this especially fitting.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
The Story, in my words
Where darkness and light met.
At first glance, you may simply see the sea. But for me personally, it became the place where darkness and light met. I didn't realise that while I was creating it.
It wasn't until I stepped back, looked at the finished piece and sat quietly with it that something clicked. I realised I hadn't just been creating art, I had been connecting with God. Without even trying, the canvas had become a personal place of prayer.
As I gently rubbed the soft pastels into the canvas with my fingertips, the texture reminded me of sand beneath my feet. It brought to mind the promise that even when life feels overwhelming, challenging or obstacles cross my path, I knew I was never truly walking alone. It wasn't just a knowing, it was a feeling too. I always feel God's presence when creating art.
Looking back, I can see this painting gave me more than a finished piece of art. It gave me peace.
It slowed my breathing, quietened my thoughts and created space to simply be present. That was all my mind, body and soul needed. I find that creativity has a wonderful way of reducing my stress, calming my nervous system and helping me process emotions that words can't always reach.
This artwork was created during one of the hardest seasons of my life, when my health had changed, my senses felt unfamiliar and I was learning to navigate a completely different world. I didn't come to the canvas with a plan, but I finished feeling peace.
Using soft pastels, I gently rubbed the colours into the canvas with my fingertips. As I moved across the surface, feeling the grain beneath my hands, it reminded me of sand beneath my feet.
Without even realising it, I found myself thinking of Footprints in the Sand. That beautiful reminder that during one of the hardest parts of my life, I wasn't walking alone. God was carrying me.
As my fingers moved across the canvas, I prayed. The repetitive movement became calming, almost like breathing.
For me, this wasn't simply about creating a landscape. It became a place where I could slow down, listen and rest in God's presence.
The sea has always reminded me that there is something far greater than ourselves. It is powerful, yet peaceful. Constantly moving, yet somehow still. This piece became my quiet place. A reminder that even when life is throwing curve balls at me, God's presence remains. All I had to do was surrender.
This brought me peace and the knowing that God never left my side.
"The canvas had become a personal place of prayer."
Between the Footprints in the Sand
"I wasn't walking alone. God was carrying me"
A soft pastel seascape, painted with fingertips and prayer. ~ Natasha Nanda