Become Like Children {Bible Art Journaling}

Introspection reveals that I am “partial”to Bible verses about children. There could be any number of reasons: The oldest of five children, I have a strong maternal instinct. Or maybe it’s because I am a teacher. Or maybe it’s because I’m a mom and a grandmother. Maybe it’s all those things combined, but whatever the reason, it’s true.

I am working in my new journaling Bible, from Local Church Bible Publishers. Mine is the 400 Mid Size Note Takers Bible (black), KJV.

A few years ago, I made a minibook about my elementary years (and my husband’s, though we did not know each other at the time). You can see the album here. For that book, I purchased some neat stamps, etc., from Graphic 45’s abc primer collection. I had not used the stamps since then.

So, when I wanted to illustrate these verses from Matthew 18:3-5 in the margin of my Journaling Bible, little Dick and Jane type images came to mind. Rather than attempting to sketch them, I pulled out the stamps. Love them.

I put down a coat of Art Basics Clear Gesso (very smooth, not gritty like most clear gesso products), and that allowed me to use stamp ink and then paint with watercolor without bleed-through on the back side of the page. My favorite watercolor to use with stamped images is NeoColor II watercolor crayons.

Sometimes one of the most difficult things to do is to “become like children,” but it is child-like humility and faith that God requires.

Matthew 18:3-5 (KJV)

³ And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵ And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.