The Brushstrokes of Life: Discovering How God Brings Beauty and Purpose to Your Story

by Anne Neilson

Here's a God has deposited a gift inside of you. Acclaimed angel artist Anne Neilson wants to help you find yours as she shares her personal story of passion and purpose and how faith radiates from every canvas of her life. The Brushstrokes of Life will help you see there are no coincidences with God. Anne Neilson believes that each of us begins our life as a blank clean and fresh and ready to find texture in our experiences. Each trial, each joy, each heartache, and each hope leaves an explosion of color and sweeping brushstrokes that shape us. When we allow God to take over as the Master artist, we will find that He carefully adds dimension and highlights to create a beautiful masterpiece in us. Often, though, it's hard to find the beauty when we are wading through mess. In this beautiful memoir, Anne shares personal stories about why her faith is so important to her and resonates in all her work. In The Brushstrokes of Life , you will learn how Including a photo insert with several angel paintings never-before-seen in a book, Anne's stories will be a beautiful reminder that God is both our Creator and the fulfiller of His promises. He is the artist of our life. Creations are messy, but the divine artist never fails to reveal a masterpiece.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

On one hand I enjoyed her book and all that she shared about her life and how she is where she is now. On the other hand I can't help but think about God and Jesus Christ and the role they play in our lives and to what extent. Sometimes it seemed that every time she prayed she got what she asked for. Maybe not exactly how she wanted it but got it none the less. I consider myself a very religious person and this book had me questioning just how much God and Jesus are "helping" and "leading" us. The last chapter she talked about her marriage and maybe I missed it but it looked like she prayed to change her husband but not herself. I wonder if I would get along with her if I met her. I hope that I would.

[Laura Cohen]

This was a beautiful memoir from Anne Neilson. She accounts the story of her life and how God wove His plans for her in it. She offers many "brushstroke moments" of reflection throughout her story to consider the ways God works not only in her own life, but in the readers life as well.

As an artist, I really enjoyed learning more about Anne's artistic process, how her career progressed over the years, and how she balanced this passion with motherhood.

This was a very personal reflection for Anne. I really appreciated how she was very honest about the big wins AND the big struggles throughout her life. She does not shy away from sharing the hardships and the blessings she has encountered over the years. All of these things ultimately led her to become the person she is today and were all apart of His perfect plan.

All of her reflections have given me much to ponder on how God may be working in my journey also.

[Katherine Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps it is because of personally where I am right now but this was another recent book that I did not finish and stopped just a couple chapters in. I tried to soldier on and keep reading but I am simply not the target audience. I presume I couldn't get through it because of the author's focus on art analogies and angel artwork, which is not something that I am familiar with (the theological focus on angels and thought and feeling altogether, is certainly a tertiary issue, if that, and not something I spend my time on).

It also felt repetitive and surface level, but maybe that's just me. For example---so many of the truths about each trial and heartache shaping us, brushstrokes of God's artistry shaping us, there are no coincidences in God, trials for today mean hope for tomorrow, etc etc - it's all bumper sticker type stuff and felt very surface level and repetitive, almost like it was forced in order to create another book that we feel as if we've already read. I've heard so much of that and it's not entirely helpful, although well meaning. Despite this, I do my best to power on, i just simply couldn't keep reading as there are so many other books out there and time is precious - simply put, I am not the target reader, hence the do not finish.

"Creations are messy, but the divine artist never fails to reveal a masterpiece" - bumper sticker type stuff, true, but repetitive. I guess I was looking for something deeper or meatier than this, but also had no idea what to expect, not being familiar with the author-artist prior.

Anne Neilson has certainly found huge success though, with her art and also her past books. She is also in a completely other phase of life than I am, talking of her empty nest and so forth, that I had a hard time relating. Although her fans of her art will love this memoir, it was not for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Brushstrokes of Life
Discovering How God Brings Beauty and Purpose to Your Story
by Anne Neilson
Pub Date 18 Apr 2023
Thomas Nelson--W Publishing,Thomas Nelson
Biographies & Memoirs| Christian| Self-Help


The Brushstrokes of Life is being reviewed by me through Thomas Nelson and Netgalley:



Here is a secret: God has entrusted you with a gift. In this talk, acclaimed angel artist Anne Neilson shares her story of passion and purpose and how faith radiates from every canvas she creates in life. You will be able to see that there are no coincidences with God when reading The Brushstrokes of Life.


According to Anne Neilson, each of us begins life as a blank canvas: clean and fresh, ready to be textured by our experiences. We are shaped by each trial, each joy, each heartache, and each hope that we experience. When we allow God to take over as the Master artist, we will find that He carefully adds dimension and highlights to create a beautiful masterpiece within us. When we are awash in chaos, it is often difficult to find the beauty.


In this powerful memoir, Anne shares personal stories about why her faith is so important to her and how it resonates throughout all her work. The Brushstrokes of Life teaches you how to:

Don't limit God's possibilities by closing your hands
Make your trials from today into hope for tomorrow by connecting them to your trials from today.
It is important to trust God's role in your Featuring a photo insert with several angel paintings that have never before appeared in a book, Anne's stories will serve as a powerful reminder that God is both our Creator and the Fulfiller of His promises. * He is the artist of our life. Creations are messy, but the divine artist never fails to reveal a masterpiece.


I give The Brushstrokes of Life five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Synlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Summary:

An incredible book written by Anne presenting how God brought her through her mountains and the valleys in her life. At the same time equipping her with everything she needed to accomplished what she was called to do in her life for His glory. All she had to do was to lean in to God's direction and follow Him.

I love that Anne's story brought hope and light to the world and gave us the assurance that truly
"I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me." Philippians 4:13 (AMP).

With that I'll leave you with these two questions from her book for anyone who wants to ponder on these things or find that you are lost in life at any given time.

1. What did you want to do when you were a child? Is there a dream to which God might want you to return? I encourage you to find freedom in expressing yourself in new ways.

2. In what do you feel God's great joy? Chase that, don't stop until you experience the light of Christ radiating so brightly through you that everyone around you takes notice. For this you were made, settle for nothing less.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars

[Tara | Mercyandgracereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️
The Brushstrokes of Life by Anne Neilson is full of creative comparisons to encourage the believer in their Christian walk. I enjoyed how the author used her personal life experiences to show how she came to understand that God was the “Master Artist” of her life especially during the first 100 pages or so of the book. However, nearing the end of the book there were multiple recounts of celebrity encounters and personal accolades that didn’t resonate well with me.
I did enjoy how well the truth that God wants to use everyone’s individual talent was presented. If you’re a creative type or someone searching for some purpose in the season you’re walking, this book will be a refreshing read.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. #sponsored

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne Neilson has found huge success as a Christian artist with her beloved angel paintings. Unbeknownst to me, she is also a successful author with several books to her credit. Nevertheless, when reading memoirs, I believe my opinions are a little stronger than when reading fiction or even nonfiction. I am always wondering what makes this person’s story so unique and interesting. That being said, I found Ms. Neilson’s story very similar to many current empty nest moms who were raised in the 70s and early 80s. I was, however, pleased with her love of Jesus and her attribution to his grace and glory for all of her many blessings. Even though I’m a tough critic, I know her many fans will find joy and encouragement after reading her memoir.

[J Mar Infus · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEFFINITELY A BOOK TO READ!

I really enjoyed reading this book, it made me stop & think about some of my choices that I made. There are several chapters in this book I could have used back in the early 70's along with the life choices that I made back then.

Mrs Neilson talks about her walk with Christ & she gets you to stop & think about how you are living your life along with your walk with Christ & how it is effecting you in your life. While reading this book you should have a note book to write down your feelings &/or how you want to answer her questions that she has put out there for you to think about as it relates to you & your life yesterday, today & tomorrow.

[Robin Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angel artist Anne Neilson walks us through how to “redemptively remember” all God has done. It is a book that I had to read slowly, reflect upon, and highlight thought after profound thought. It is one I will read again. Highly recommend!

[Dixie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Never ever underestimate the power of prayer. And be willing to wait to hear God direct your course of action.