Art Story | Paper Dolls – “Pearl of Great Price”

Artist: Michelle Bentham

Size: 24×36 Paper & Canvas

Medium: Mixed Media – Acrylics & Paper

Date: February 9, 2019

This painting is one of a series of mixed-media features called Paper Dolls. Paper Dolls are figures drawn onto watercolor paper and then dressed up with acrylic paints before being fixed to an acrylic background on canvas.

Michelle spent the day painting this beauty during worship sets at the REAL Women Conference. She named it after the Parable in Matthew 13, believing that God calls us as women His pearl of great price. The name also honors the ministry of the Lead Pastor at The Ranch who lovingly calls the women she ministers to her “PEARLS.”

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:45-46 NASB

She began painting the elaborate background leaving a white hole in the center. She had created the figure before attending, but painted all the elements during the conference. As she painted she sensed God’s heart for the women and was reminded of Jesus’ Parable about the pearl of great price. During the painting sessions, she began to sense God reframing the Pearl of Great Price — shifting her perspective from the idea that Jesus is our Pearl of Great Price — she began to see we were the Pearls of Great Price Jesus found and gave all He had to attain. WE are His Pearl of Great Price. His treasure and inheritance. Prized. Valued. Deeply Loved.

At the conference each woman received a pearl cut from the shell of an oyster. Each pearl was unique, exquisitely beautiful, and had been created through the distress and irritation the oyster suffered when a grain of sand entered its shell. This reality reminds the artist that no matter what we face in life, nothing is wasted, but rather is used to form and shape us into His glorious image and increases the value of our experiences as that glory is recounted in our testimonies. Leading other to Jesus.

Late in the day, the women had the opportunity to stand in front of a mirror and receive from the Lord what He wanted to say to them. Michelle did not get a chance to participate as she painted and met with people to discuss her artwork during breaks and sessions. That night at the hotel, she stood in front of the mirror noting how her hair was still well styled after a full day of labor, her makeup was pristine, and she had a warm sense of being overwhelming her. A feeling of deep love and affection for herself. She said aloud as she looked at her reflection, “Lord, I finally think I see that girl you keep telling me is in there. And not only do I see her but, I think I like her. Not only do I like her, but in fact, I think I am starting to love her.”

This painting found its home in Edna, TX at The Ranch Cowboy Country Church on February 9, 2019.