Self Portrait

Digital painting
2010

There are often times in our lives where we go through periods of darkness and uncertainty. There are times when we want to turn our backs to the world and escape the inevitable, or avoid the uncertainties. There are times when darkness looms on our shoulders when important decisions need to be made or when we feel alone in our struggles.

When I painted this self-portrait I was experiencing a time of darkness. It was a time when everything that was certain became uncertain; I also felt distant from Jesus Christ. I wanted to put my head down and hide from all the doubts, in hopes that it would all disappear—it seems easier that way. Regardless of my idealistic thoughts of escape, I had to maintain an assertive stance; I had to withstand the pressures of life. This self-portrait marks a transition from the darkness and fear of the unknown to the bright hope lit up by Jesus Christ. Despite times of trial and the desire to hide, God always "know[s] the plans I have for you" (Jeremiah 29:11), which continually gives me hope regardless of what I find in my path.

Shannon VanOosterom currently attends Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario where she is in the last year of the Education Program. Shannon has completed her Bachelor of Arts strongly focused on visual arts. She hopes to share her love of art in a classroom to cultivate creativity in the minds of students.

Shannon has a particular interest in design and the technology involved. She is intrigued by the unending possibilities of what a computer has to offer in this somewhat novel medium of computer graphics. She hopes to bring this fresh, up-to-date medium of design to the classroom in attempts to evoke the interest of students that are growing up in a society that thrives on technology.

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