Who is Nehemiah?

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to a Persian king named Artaxerxes, about 445 BC. Nehemiah held a crucial administrative post in the government.
As his story develops, Nehemiah is made aware of a catastrophe in his hometown of Jerusalem. The walls surrounding the city were broken down, and consequently, the people’s morale was in shambles. With permission from the king, Nehemiah leaves his position to attend to the devastating circumstances in Jerusalem.


Nehemiah first became a general contractor and, along the way, organized, managed, supervised, and encouraged the people to take on and complete the momentous task of rebuilding the wall. The undertaking was not without opposition which was at times intense.
Nehemiah grew into an inspirational leader. Other outgrowths of Nehemiah’s leadership included the development of strong families, the resurgence of the temple becoming the center of community life, and a movement for people to agree to live according to the principles of God’s covenant, thereby becoming a righteous and just community. Dr. Tony Evans says, “The book of Nehemiah [in the Bible] is about making wrong things right.


Why did you name your Art Studio & Gallery after Nehemiah?


The name Nehemiah means “God is compassionate.” A child’s version of the Bible translated “Nehemiah” as “God wipes our tears. Nehemiah cared deeply for the physical and spiritual well-being of the people under his care.


The story of Nehemiah struck a chord with me. Life can be challenging, yet “God wipes our tears.” Compassion is one of the best things we can give to other people, and compassion can be offered in whatever context we find ourselves. For me, that is in my life as an artist. When I teach art, I have a tremendous opportunity to provide artistic guidance in a kind and encouraging way. We all need compassion.
I was also impacted by Nehemiah’s life as a leader. He grew into the role. He cared for the people and took on responsibility for their welfare. Nehemiah’s role in the community expanded as he used his gifts and talents for the greater good.

Art Classes for the New School Year

Paint Nite

New Art Classes for the 2024-2025 School Year are starting at Nehemiah’s Art!

The Weekly Classes will be scheduled in six-week sessions starting in October 2024.

If you are interested in being in a Drawing & Painting Class please send an email message. Thank you.

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What I Want For My Art Students

In this short video I share what is most important to me about an art education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEpcbyWFCpk

Upcoming Art Avenues at Nehemiah’s Art:
FIRST FRIDAY ART WORKSHOP – Friday, September 2nd – 6 to 8 PM. Spend two hours diving into a drawing or painting and enjoy an Art Studio experience with a few others aspiring or established artists. This workshop is for Adults (age 12 or older). The cost is $20 for the evening and includes art materials. Preregistration is required for the First Friday Art Workshop. Hint for parents of teens…this is your opportunity for a date night at FIRST FRIDAY on Main Street in Fortuna! Bring your student to Nehemiah’s Art and go have a good time!

WEDNESDAY ART CLASS – Studio instruction starts on Wednesday, September 7th, from 4-5:30 PM at Nehemiah’s Art. The class is once a week for six weeks. This class is for Adults (age 12 or older). The cost is $20 per class for a total of $120. If you pay upfront by the first class, a 20-dollar discount will make the course $100 for six weeks. Art materials are included for this class. This class is eligible for Alder Grove Home School Students. Preregistration for the class is required.

THE MISSION OF NEHEMIAH’S ART: Rebuilding Lives through Art, Faith, and Community.

SUPPORT: If you like the mission of Nehemiah’s Art and want to support this endeavor, there are prints on canvas on sale through https://www.etsy.com/shop/NehemiahsArt

MORE INFORMATION? Send a private message.

The Story Behind the Name

The Story of Nehemiah’s Art – “Rebuilding Lives Through Art, Faith, & Community.

I chose the name Nehemiah’s Art for my studio because Nehemiah is a story about rebuilding. The dream for this studio came about during a dark time in my life. Throughout that period, I would read Bible stories at night to the sweet five-year-old who occupied my attention in those days. When we reached the story of Nehemiah, the children’s Bible said that Nehemiah means “God wipes our tears.” I knew then that this was my story. Life can be challenging, but God is compassionate.

So what does this story have to do with an art studio? For one, I have art students from all walks of life. Sometimes my students have experienced a rough road in their journey and learning to draw and paint has been an outlet for them to express their emotions.

Behind each artwork is a story. The scene may seem ordinary, but it is often in the everyday things of life that we discover hidden beauty and meaning. Art expresses the deep notions of life.

I also wanted to establish an online store (through Etsy) to make prints available that are more affordable and to support the mission* of Nehemiah’s Art Studio and Gallery.

*Rebuilding lives through art, faith, and community.

Nehemiah’s Art Etsy Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/NehemiahsArt

Baptism @ the Van Duzen

This is the story behind the painting of Baptism @ the Van Duzen. As I seek to grow as an artist, I want to not only grow in skill and the ability to make an image more convincing, I want to be more purposeful in selecting subjects that are more personal, vulnerable and courageous. In this video I share my thoughts with the hopes that they will resonate with the viewer and their own personal experiences. Thank you for watching!

(67) The Story Behind the Painting: Baptism at the Van Duzen – YouTube

An Education in the Fine Arts & Problem Solving

A magnificent gift to us from our Great Creator is the functioning of our minds.  There are trends in education and what we value in this current era.  One thing I think we can all agree on is the absolute need to develop minds that have excellent problem-solving ability, because we certainly have our share of problems in this world!

Thankfully, God gave us another wonderful gift of being human and that is the aptitude to express ourselves through the arts.  In learning how to draw or paint or sculpt or write or dance perform music or act on the stage we engage a part of the mind that taps into innovation.  With the arts we are challenged to communicate ideas and emotions in a way that engages the viewer or listener.  By it’s very nature we are seeking to communicate in a new way that will have a lasting impact. We learn to think outside of the box.  We find that there are often multiple ways to solve a creative equation.

Here is a YouTube video that explains more: Art Education and Problem Solving Skills – Art Axiom #12 – YouTube

Editors Note: My dog evidently thought I needed some help!

The Vision for Nehemiah’s Art

Nehemiah’s Art. Nehemiah is a Biblical name. What does it mean? What correlation does it have to the learning the language of art through it’s various uses, such as visual art, dance, music, writing, theater and so forth? How is the vision of Nehemiah’s Art akin to art therapy? These questions and more are answered in this short video. The Vision of Nehemiah’s Art (Akin to Art Therapy) – YouTube

Honoring Mentors

“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” – Isaac Newton

If we have had some success in any area, including art, we can be sure that we have benefitted from one or more mentors. Mentors come in a variety of circumstance. Some, like parents, may pour their life into you or I for years. Others may have had a word of encouragement for us at a time of great need. There may have been teachers and spiritual leaders that have influenced our path dramatically. In another sense, a teaching line is a type of mentoring, In art we can learn not only from living mentors, but from the artwork left behind by great painters.

It is of great benefit, not only to our mentors, but to ourselves, to acknowledge how much their encouragement and support has meant. Here is a short video that talks about mentors in art. Free Painting Lesson Axiom#5 Honoring Mentors – YouTube

Paint Beautiful Shapes. Paint Beautiful Colors.

Two simple phrases were passed down from teacher to student who then became a teacher to other students. These two directives actually take a lot of contemplation and deep thought. Paint Beautiful Shapes. Paint Beautiful Colors. These are good “filters” to access many works of art. Do they please the eye? Is it a feast for the eyes? What emotions come from viewing the finished art work? Here is a short video that captures these two ideas: Axiom#4 Paint Beautiful Shapes. Paint Beautiful Colors. – YouTube