"Beauty for Ashes" No. 2 - Hope Rising
18 x 24 inches / 20 x 30 inch framed
Mixed Media on paper; watercolour, charcoal and gold leaf
“The first movement of restoration—the quiet return of hope where despair once lived.”
Part of my Beauty for Ashes collection, Hope Rising is an original mixed media artwork inspired by the promise of Isaiah 61:3—that God exchanges ashes for beauty and gently restores hope to hearts that have known sorrow.
Among the first flowers to bloom after winter, daffodils have long symbolized new beginnings and the arrival of spring. Their appearance reminds us that even after seasons that feel barren or lifeless, God faithfully brings new life. Hope often begins quietly—not in dramatic moments, but in the gentle assurance that winter will not last forever.
Painted with watercolor, charcoal, and genuine gold leaf, each medium carries intentional meaning. The charcoal represents ashes, refining, and seasons of grief or loss. The flowing watercolor reflects surrender, fragility, and the faithful work of the Holy Spirit. The gold leaf speaks of redemption, reminding us that God restores beauty, purpose, and dignity through His presence.
The butterfly resting among the blooms becomes a symbol of transformation—a reminder that God is continually making all things new. Surrounding the flowers, the unfinished circle of gold reflects His eternal presence and His ongoing work of restoration. Redemption is not simply an event but a journey that continues as He faithfully completes the work He has begun.
Hope Rising is the second painting in the Beauty for Ashes series, where each flower represents a unique testimony of God’s restoring work. Though every story is different, they all point to the same enduring promise: nothing surrendered to Christ is ever wasted.
May this artwork encourage you to recognize the first signs of hope, even when they seem small. In God’s hands, the quiet beginnings of restoration often become the foundation for abundant new life.
“To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit…”
Isaiah 61:3 (ESV)
* NOTE: "Beauty for Ashes" collection is being sold as ORIGINAL ART only. If you would like to commission a specific flower, please request here.
Original artwork, watercolour, charcoal & gold leaf on paper. Adding a beautiful custom frame will give your new painting added elegance.
