Religion Section, Page 1
Saturday, December 1, 2001
Church's missions director painting his
family's future
Artist plans to use money from sales to fund
adoptions
By KRISTEN HOLLAND
Paul Myhill never imagined that he'd build a family by selling paintings.
The 33-year-old Missions Director earned a six-figure income as a business consultant.
He said he figured that he'd always make enough money to send his kids to the
best schools, drive nice cars, live in a big house, and enjoy the finer things
in life.
Then he lost nearly a quarter-million dollars in a bad business deal and decided
to go to seminary.
"I really look at it as the greatest blessing in my life," he said.
"I was a believing Christian at the time, but money and material things
were the motivating factor."
He now makes a fraction of his old income working as Missions Director at Bent
Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton. He and his wife, Lisa, just returned from
China with Faith Elizabeth Li Ke Lin Myhill, their first child.
The couple plans to use the money he makes selling his paintings to adopt a
baby sister for Faith, he said.
 JIM MAHONEY/Staff Photographer Paul Myhill describes God's influence on his art: "He's my muse...my skill. Quite frankly, it's a worship experience for me." |
EXHIBITION INFORMATION Paul
Myhill's paintings are on display at the Biblical Arts Center, 7500 Park
Lane, through January. |
Painting is an unexpected avenue to help reach that goal. With a master's degree
in business administration, Mr. Myhill was not prepping to be a master painter.
And the last thing he wants to be called is a self-taught wonder.
His talent and inspiration have a source, he said.
"I attribute it all to God," Mr. Myhill said. "He's my muse,
my ability, and my skill. Quite frankly, it's a worship experience for me."
What he lacks in training, he makes up for in inspiration.
Mixtures of reds, yellows, and blues form religious images, including the Christian
ichthys (fish symbol), various styles of crosses, and a lamb or two.
Friends started buying Mr. Myhill's works about two years ago when he hung a
few at Bent Tree for Good Friday and Easter services. Friends and church members
have been approaching him with checkbooks in hand.
About 20 paintings are on display in Bent Tree's sanctuary, and the walls of
Mr. Myhill's home are covered with nearly 40 others.
Sixteen paintings recently went on exhibit at the Biblical Arts Center in North
Dallas.
"It seems somewhat reminiscent of the art movements done in the Catholic
Church in the '60s and '70s," the museum's curator and co-director, Scott
Peck said. "He clearly interprets his convictions and brings it out in
his artwork."
Mr. Myhill has studied Christian iconography, but his images aren't carbon copies.
"I prefer using imagery where people have to ask, 'What does that mean?'
" he said. "And typically, I will use colors that have a meaning so
there's an explanation of the faith."
For example, green represents growth, red symbolizes the blood of Christ, white
stands for purity, and dark colors represent sinful activities.
Tom Siems, a member of Bent Tree and an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank
of Dallas, bought one of the paintings.
"I see God's heart in Paul's paintings," Mr. Siems said. "A painting
by Paul Myhill is worth a thousand stories."
And they're selling for a thousand dollars or more.
Three of Mr. Myhill's paintings sold for $1,000 each before they touched the
sanctuary walls at Bent Tree. He sold seven more in five weeks.
Mr. Myhill said that he hadn't considered displaying the paintings outside Bent
Tree until the Biblical Arts Center called.
His wife, however, said she is not surprised at the attention. Mrs. Myhill,
a graphic designer who works for the church, said she always knew her husband
was a talented artist.
"I'm excited that he's doing it now, and that God opened these doors for
him," she said.
The Myhills began considering adoption after efforts to have a child of their
own were unsuccessful. Then a couple at the church approached them and said,
"God has laid on our hearts to fund an adoption for you."
After a two-year process, the Myhills brought Faith home from China on Thanksgiving
Day.
"Our hearts were pulled toward China because of the dire need," Mr.
Myhill said.
Proceeds from the paintings will finance the adoption of their second daughter,
whom they plan to name Grace. They may consider adopting more children after
that.
"I'm much happier with an income a fraction of what I had before, doing
work I know will help," Mr. Myhill said. "Every day is a joy because
I know it does have an eternal impact."
 COURTESY Paul and Lisa Myhill brought their daughter, Faith Elizabeth Li Ke Lin, home from China on Thanksgiving Day. |