Why I Embed Real Keys in My Paintings
There’s a small detail in my paintings that many people don’t notice at first….A key.
Sometimes it’s tucked into layers of paint.
Sometimes it catches the light just enough to be discovered.
But it’s always there, placed intentionally.
People often ask me why.
The answer isn’t just about art.
It’s about invitation.
The Beginning: A Moment I Couldn’t Ignore
This practice didn’t start in the studio. It started in a room full of people.
A couple of years ago, I was leading an Unlocking Your Creative Voice workshop in Boise, Idaho. It was a space for people to explore creativity, but also to slow down, listen, and reconnect with something deeper.
During a time of prayer, I had a vivid impression:
angels carrying gifts… and keys.
It felt symbolic, but also personal, like something was being offered, something waiting to be received.
I sensed a clear direction:
Create space. Let there be silence. Let people ask God what they want unlocked in their lives.
So we did.
The Moment That Confirmed Everything
Later that day, something happened I couldn’t have planned.
One of the participants, someone walking through a really difficult season, came up to me and handed me a rope necklace.
Attached to it were three keys.
In that moment, something clicked.
It felt like confirmation. Like alignment.
And I knew this wasn’t something I was supposed to ignore.
Witnessing “Unlocked” Moments
That workshop became a turning point, not just for me, but for others in the room.
In the video I share how I watched something unfold in others because they asked for what they wanted unlocked.
Bringing the Keys Into My Paintings
Not long after that experience, I felt prompted to begin incorporating keys into my work.
But there was one condition that felt important:
I wasn’t supposed to buy them.
Only use keys that were:
Found
Given
Discovered along the way
Each one carries a story before it ever reaches the canvas.
Each one is already part of a journey.
Key in the Painting “No Fear”
The Invitation
My paintings aren’t just about what you see.
They’re about what you sense.
What you feel.
What begins to stir when you take a moment to pause.
The key is there as a quiet reminder:
There is more available to you.
There are things still waiting to be unlocked.
And maybe, just maybe…
you already hold the courage to step through.
If you ever find one of my paintings in person, I hope you take a moment to look for the key.
And while you’re searching…
consider what might be waiting to open in your own life.