TIDINGS OF THE POTTER LLC | ann@tidingsofthepotter.com
TIDINGS OF THE POTTER LLC | ann@tidingsofthepotter.com
I remember that day in my early teens, gazing at a printed painting, and my eyes overflowed with inexpressible feelings. It portrayed Jesus holding a little girl in His arms, helping her to cross over the deep and dark valley that lay ahead of her. The little girl’s face reflected how loved and assured she was while in Jesus’s hands. I can’t be exact, but I am sure that the painting was accompanied by the Word of God, which was the essence of it.
A few years later, I was going through a difficult time. I started viewing myself as someone just to be laughed at, and couldn’t find any purpose or value in my life. In those days, I used to sit alone in my room, and when I looked up with a heavy sigh, many times I found peace in the picture hung on the wall saying “I will bless thee and make thy name great” (Genesis 12:2). It gave me the inner strength to believe that better days were yet to come.
When I started reading the Bible more seriously, I began to hunger for it and even marked certain verses that not only seemed great for posting on walls, but were the Scriptures that would also speak to me in times of need. After my marriage, I found it helpful to write down Psalm 128 on poster papers, and hang these verses on the walls wherever we moved.
In mid-2018 we moved to the US, and it so happened that I was continually encouraged to observe the scenic beauty around me, especially during the changing seasons. I decided to take up Psalm 128 again (You can find ‘Blessed Garden’ in my gallery) as my very first painting project, and thus began ‘Tidings of the potter’.
I have been interested in arts and literature ever since my childhood, but until this phase of life I had not taken them seriously, neither did I invest time and energy on them. I was thrilled to see a canvas because I had never really seen one in my whole life! But as I stepped into it, all these life experiences came in line and fell into place before me. I truly believe that there is a ‘perfect plan’ behind all of it.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119: 105)
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. (Psalm 119: 130)
This faith promoting art is the beginning of a journey, and feels like an adventure for me. Like the influence of a tiny firefly which shines its minuscule light in the darkness, I also want to share a testimony of the Everlasting Light. Tidings of the potter is my humble effort to combine art and Scripture, and present you some precious moments with the Word of God, so that they are engraved in your heart, and remain a lamp to your feet and light to your path. I pray and believe that this art which I view as a gift and calling for me, would shower countless blessings on you and your loved ones!
Like anybody who starts up new, I had a tough time naming and setting up a unique and distinctive face for my venture. I wanted to build this up based on a biblical theme while speaking about the combination of art and Scripture, and bringing out the purpose of the work I wish to do. My husband and I sat together to figure this out, and my brother joined in too. It was my brother who came up with ‘Tidings of the potter’ and the logo.
The book of Jeremiah chapter 18 speaks about a potter who was working on his wheel.
“The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.” (Jeremiah 18:4) As we continue to read through the chapter, God declares to His people, … can I not do with you as this potter has done? … Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand …” (Jeremiah 18:6).
I heard a man of God preach that the greatest miracle on earth is a repenting heart. As a human being, in whatever situation or phase of life we are (good or bad), God is our Creator and He loves to shape us into a wonder! He makes us better every day, and as long as we intend to be in His hands, He will continue to work us into our best being. God used a potter and his clay to give us such a wonderful message. I hope each one of my works reaches to you as a tiding that carries the Word of God. Tidings of love, hope, assurance, faith, redemption, guidance and so on.
Speaking about the logo, it picturizes a clay pot and a palette. The pot is designed by combining T (for Tidings) as the spout, and P (for Potter) as the handle. A palette with nine dots (representing the colors on the palette) is placed inside the pot. The palette in the shape of a quotation mark symbolizes the Word of God. The dots symbolize the Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Joy, Love, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control. A clay pot goes perfectly well with the name ‘Tidings of the potter’ and it reminds us that we are all clay in the Hands of God who is working on us each day. So when the Word of God is ingrained in our hearts, the Spirit of the Lord lives in us and we produce the right fruit.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:12)
It wouldn’t be complete without a word of gratitude. Thank you, my dear family, and cheerful friends who encouraged me and prayed over this venture. Thank you, all those wonderful people who helped me to accomplish ‘Tidings of the potter’ and for being a memorable part of the journey!
With best wishes and prayers,
Ann Sherin