10x Catalyst

Story Summary

10x Catalyst began as a shared canvas of prayed-over words and verses from each group member in 2022. After months of reverent pause, I read every contribution and began painting, using desert-inspired colors, sand for texture, and dark tones redeemed by light. The work reflects Christ’s sacrifice, the prayers and journeys of the 10x Catalyst community, and God’s faithful presence weaving beauty through challenge. It invites viewers to remember, surrender, trust, and walk with Jesus.

Story

The 10x Catalyst group was asked to pray about what words and/or versus that meant something to each of them that they would contribute to a canvas. Beginning in August 2022 and wrapping up in September 2022, each member contributed to the canvas. After collecting the canvas on September 16 and in full transparency for months, I avoided beginning the painting as I wanted to honor the words, versus and meaning to capture the essence of each member's contribution. As we were setting goals for the November 10x Catalyst Pro meeting, I prayed about what goals for the coming month, As God would have it, one of the goals was to begin the 10x painting. On November 19th, before I picked up a brush, I pulled out my Bible and read each word, verse and/or complete chapter that each member added to the canvas. After 1 hour of reading the intention that each 10x Catalyst member wrote, I began painting. I chose a brownish color at the bottom right corner which is darker than most of the rest of the painting and remnants are still there. Looking back on why I chose that color, it reflects more of what he did on the cross for us. That set the stage for the other colors that would begin to evolve with a much lighter burnt orange/brown combined with whites as much of Jesus’ ministry was in the desert. As I was getting ready with the whites and orange/brown colors, I reflected on Psalm 139:17-18, “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand when I awake, I am still with you.” As a reflection of all the thoughts that everyone contributed, I felt the texture of the sand would reflect the many thoughts that we all have for Jesus and what he did for us. As I began stirring the paint with the sand I used the paint stick to apply the paint to evenly spread out the texture and decided to capture the grainy sands as a light on the top right and the darker reddish hue on the left. As much as I liked the color and texture of the painting while still being able to read some of the members' contributions, I knew it was not done and needed another contribution, one that would wait until the new year. After the Christmas break while visiting family, I came back focused on completing the work for the next 10x group. I listened to a Hillsong YouTube playlist as God worked through me on this second treatment of the painting. A darker gray called for me to add, yet the initial selected color was much darker than I wanted. You can see the dark color paint on the sides of the painting. Just like how God uses the challenging times in our lives to shape us, I felt this color was causing the rest of the painting to take on a different form. As I was working on painting, I was reflecting on how difficult it was to work the darkness away. Instead of trying to spread it out which I tried to do for a while, trying to work on the “challenge” I added some lighter reds and whites and moss colors. Jesus is that light that snuffs out the darkness. As a result, it faded into a beautiful shade of gray. After working on the lower left for a while, I added a lot of white paint to the top and added more burnt sienna to carry the original orange/brownish color out. I was adding more texture with a Golden Course Gel and Just as I began with the stir stick, I used it again to more evenly spread the colors across the canvas creating a wonderful texture. As one more reflection of our connection to God, I spread the paint upwards towards our heavenly Father. As I completed that last touch, I knew this 10x Catalyst work was done. Each specialized/commissioned work receives my signature “J” at the bottom left.