Christian artist Cora Renfro displays works and explains process in chapel

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Renfro displays two of her works and discusses how she sees different subjects within her paint- ings while studying the Bible. (CU Photo by Whitley Howlett)

• Renfro shows the audience some of the differ- ent materials she utilizes during the “pouring” process and the effects they have on the paint- ing. (CU Photo by Whitley Howlett)
• Renfro explains the process she goes through to create her works of art that she says are inspired over time. (CU Photo by Whitley Howlett)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (03/22/2019) (readMedia)-- "If the Lord asks you to do something, [you do it] not through your own ability, but through Him," Cora Renfro, a 1969 Campbellsville University alumnus, retired Taylor County High School art teacher, and Campbellsville University adjunct instructor in art, said during chapel at Campbellsville University March 13.

Renfro said, "Before I retired, I felt like the Lord was asking me to devote my time to Christian artwork. I have always done different types of Christian artwork all throughout my teaching career."

When Renfro paints, she usually does not have anything in mind; she calls this "pouring." Renfro also does not always know what her artwork is at the moment. It all starts as abstract and sometime she has to come back to a piece to know what it is.

She said in the past she has had to go back a year later to see what was in a painting. "This is something I have never experienced with art; I am not doing it, God is. He enables me to see what is there."

When painting she puts water on a page and then lets the paint run. She might put salt on the wet paint or even coffee filters.

She reminded the audience of how "comforting" it is to have the Holy Spirit. "The Lord protects me even though I wonder. His rod and staff protect me in times of darkness."

Renfro said, "How do you feel when the Lord takes hold of you? How do you feel when you pray? Christ invites us into His home, and it will be our eternal home."

Renfro spoke on Daniel and his prayer life. She said, "Daniel prayed; he prayed three times a day. We have to have communication with God. Anyone can pray, you do not have to be a professor or have a college degree. It is what is in your heart that counts."

Renfro's artwork is on display and for sale at the Chowning Art Shop on the campus of Campbellsville University at 503 N. Columbia Ave., Campbellsville.

The shop is open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Campbellsville University is a widely-acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,000 students offering over 90 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has off-campus centers in Kentucky cities Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville, all in Kentucky, and one in Costa Mesa, Calif., and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.