Studio Sixtyone Oil Painting Time Lapse Video of the Garden painting by Ashley Benedict. :: I was commissioned by Water Street Mission to create a piece of artwork that represented "going back to the garden." 

When Christ tore the veil by giving his life on the cross, we regained full access to the Father and all that he intended for us before sin entered the world and our hearts. I had somewhat of a vision for this piece as I started painting, but really just figured it out as I went and made a lot of decision changes along the way. When I was first asked to create this piece, I immediately thought of Kari Jobe’s song “The Garden”, where she sings about the hope and life that was restored to us once again because of Christ. I listened to this song again and again as I painted. It was life-giving to me to hear those words and to be able to physically transfer that vision and that message onto a canvas for others to see and take part in. My hope is that those who see this painting are drawn deeper into the heart of God- that there would be revelation of his desire for reconciliation and unconditional, sacrificial, gracious love for us as his children.

|| “Faith is rising up like ivy, reaching for the light. Hope is stirring deep inside me, making all things right. Love is lifting me from sorrow, catching every tear, dispelling every lie and torment, crushing all my fears.” - The Garden by Kari Jobe