Naming with Intention: Behind the Dominion & Wonder Collection

There’s something really sacred about the moment a painting gets its name.

For me, naming artwork isn’t just a creative afterthought—it’s often where the meaning fully comes into focus. It’s a quiet, reflective part of the process where I get to sit with a piece, pray through it, and ask: what is this really about? What truth is it pointing to? What is it revealing?

My Dominion & Wonder collection came out of exactly that kind of reflection. I wanted this series to reflect the awe I feel in nature—not just its beauty, but its purpose. Its dominion. Its wonder.

Inspired by Alberta’s wild animals and painted in mixed media, each piece captures something beyond the physical—something symbolic, spiritual, and deeply human. I didn’t want to just paint wildlife. I wanted to show something true about the way God speaks through His creation.

The Meaning Behind Each Piece

“Still Seen” – Magpie

Magpies get a bad rap. They’re noisy, messy, misunderstood. But to me, that’s part of what makes them so special. This painting is about how we’re still seen by God—even when we feel misunderstood or misrepresented.

“You are the God who sees me.” – Genesis 16:13

“Lumis” – Timber Wolf

This one came from a feeling of tension—of being caught between solitude and leadership, stillness and strength. I saw the wolf as a symbol of responsibility, standing alert in the trees.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid...for the Lord your God goes with you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

“Delight” – Grizzly Bear

There’s a playfulness to this bear, swimming with a side-glance that feels almost cheeky. It reminded me of the joy in creation—how God didn’t just make things to function but to delight.

“He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

“Carefree Dominion” – Moose

This moose has a goofy, over-the-shoulder glance surrounded by vibrant lilies. It made me think about worship without heaviness—God that makes room for joy. We often think of God as so awesome that it can be scary, it can be daunting. We have to remember that God rejoices in us - in our praise of him. There’s a quiet freedom in it.

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17

“White as Wonder” – Polar Bear

This piece carries a sense of awe and reverence. The polar bear stands still in the snow, cloaked in silence and strength. I see it as a reminder of the majesty found in stillness—of how wonder doesn’t have to shout to be powerful.

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” – Psalm 66:5
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

What the Collection Represents

Together, these works form a larger picture—of a world not just made but held. A world that declares God's glory not only through mountains and skies, but in each living creature.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” – Psalm 24:1
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” – Romans 1:20

Dominion & Wonder is about what happens when we pay attention—when we look closely and see the Creator reflected in the created. When we realize that wildness and wisdom can live together, and that nature itself whispers truths we need to hear.

A Few Life Updates

I’ve also got a few updates I’m excited to share:

I’ve been accepted to showcase my art at the Sheep River Library this October and November! I’m really looking forward to connecting with the community in this way.
It looks like I’ll be leading a 6-part mixed media class this winter through the Sheep River Arts Council—more details to come!
I was just named Best Emerging Artist in Alberta by review site. I’m so grateful for the encouragement. I’ll share the press release and article links as soon as they’re live.

My newest finished portrait of my daughter, Autumn Nicole Morrow – Light of my Life, is now complete. Finishing it in oil pastels brought out a dreamy, magical quality—and gave me a new spark of inspiration.

That spark led me to pull out a painting I’d shelved over a year ago. It was originally meant for my Firmament collection, but I got stuck. I didn’t know how to complete it—until now. Autumn’s portrait reminded me how to finish with gentleness and wonder.

Prepping for a New Collection

Creating Vision Through Digital Source Imagery

Before I ever pick up a brush for a new collection, I often spend time creating digital source imagery—visual mockups that help me work out ideas, compositions, and overall feeling. It’s a process that allows me to dream boldly, to layer meaning into the concept before it even hits the canvas.

The next series I’m developing is quite different from anything I’ve painted before. While I’m still holding most of it close, I’ve included a little preview below of one of the images I’ve been working with as a source of inspiration.

As always, thank you for reading and being part of this journey with me.

Whether you're here to follow the art or connect through faith, I’m really glad we’ve found each other.

Warmly with love,

Martina