Fruit of the Spirit Series
In the Fruit of the Spirit series, Sara Drescher explores each trait described in the book of Galatians. Each individual “Fruit” has symbols relating to scripture concerning each particular characteristic. The Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians is the evidence of the Spirit of God in a believer. It is an ideal believers look to attain.
This series is influenced by Art Nouveau and vintage advertising. All of the originals are in a private collection.
“Fruit of Goodness” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This piece is part of the “Fruit of the Spirit” series. Goodness holds a bowl overflowing with fruit symbolizing the providential goodness of God. The lilies represent purity and holiness. Butterflies are symbols of Christ and the resurrection, and the cherries mean sweetness of character from good works. The golden castle in the sky references the scripture: “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6) The greyhound (dog) at her side is a symbol of faithfulness reflects the scripture that says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness”(2 Peter 1:5).
Fruit of Love” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This piece is part of the “Fruit of the Spirit” series. She carries a child to symbolize God’s parental love for us. The owls are symbols of wisdomand refer to the scripture: “Whoever is wise, let him heed these thingsand consider the great love of the LORD”.
(Psalm 107:43) The unending Celtic knot symbolizes the eternal love of the Lord. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:5) The red roses in the label and in the rose bush are symbols of love as well as the tulip she hold in her hand. The pomegranates in the bowl she holds symbolize compassion and reference the scripture: “Praise the Lord who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” (Psalm 103:2,4 ) The wings refer to the scripture: “How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. (Psalm 36:7) The lion is a symbol for Christ and the scripture: John 3:16
“Fruit of Faithfulness” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This piece is a representation of one of the “Fruit of the Spirit”. She wears a crown of ivy which is a symbol of faithfulness. Balanced on her hip is a water basin that references the washing of feet and servant-hood. This basin signifies the relationship and balance of works and faith. At her side, a greyhound (dog) stands ready as another symbol of faithfulness. The plums and lemons are also symbols of faith. The fountain in the ‘label’ refers to the scripture: “Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.”
(Psalm 85:11). The starry night skies and the approaching morning are seen in the scriptures: “The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.” (Psalm 89:5) and “For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 108:4) Her golden sash is from the scripture: “Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.” (Isaiah 11:5)
“Fruit of Gentleness” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
In this piece, the “Fruit of Gentleness” is portrayed. At her feet, the fire turns away from her in reference to the scripture: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:2) The hen caring for her chicks in the label refers to the scripture: “As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7) The violets in her basket are symbols of humility and the lion and the lamb represent gentleness and strength. The feathers symbolize a gentleness that also allows birds to fly. The egg in her hand requires gentle handling because inside dwells a precious life. The land this fruit lives in is harsh, but it has life and her spirit is bright among the dryness. “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”(1 Peter 3:4)
“Fruit of Joy” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This painting is the Fruit of Joy in the Fruit of the Spirit series. The blossoming tree and the tiny bonsai tree are references to the joy of the trees in 1 Chronicles 16:33. The beautiful morning sky ties to the scripture that says: “On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone– while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”
(Job 38:6-7) The cup in her hand is the cup of salvation and the joy of our salvation in Psalm 51:12. The pearl in the label references the parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl in the Book of Matthew. The coy fish are symbols of Christ and the joy the angels announced at his birth. (Luke 2) She has oil on her tray which refers to the oil of joy in Psalm 45:7. The oxen in her halo are symbols of strength and symbolize how the joy of the Lord is our strength.
“Fruit of Kindness” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This painting is the “Fruit of Kindness” in the Fruit of the Spirit series. In this piece, Kindness is a woman holding an injured or sick child since we are called to be kind to those in need. Paul seemed to think it is the least we can do for children of God who are hurting. (Acts 4:9) The label has a mallow flower in it which represents healing. The wings in her halo reference the scripture: “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” (Psalm 57:1) Greyhounds (dogs) symbolize faithfulness and how God has remained faithful in His kindness towards us. God’s provision is shown by the overflowing cornucopia on the right. “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” (Acts 14:17) Trees are symbols of Christ.
“Fruit of Patience” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
This piece represents the Fruit of Patience. The owl on her shoulder is a symbol for wisdom and references the scripture: “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11) Pomegranates mean compassion The trees on the sides refer to the changing of the seasons and the passage of time that requires patience. The dogwood in her halo symbolizes endurance and refers to the scripture: “…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11) The birds represent God’s providence which always comes, but often we must wait patiently for His timing. The child shows the patience required in teaching and the greyhound (dog)is a symbol of the faithfulness required to attain patience.
“Fruit of Peace” watercolor ©Sara Drescher
In this painting, the Fruit of Peace is depicted as a woman standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. She has olives in her halo that symbolize peace. In her left hand, she cradles a dove, another symbol for peace and also the Holy Spirit. In her right hand, a sparrow perches. To her left, lilies grow. Both the lilies and the sparrow refer to the scriptures in Matthew 6:25-34 that speak about how God watches over the sparrows and lilies of the field and He loves us even more than they. We don’t have to worry, just have peace. (Psalm 4:8) The hyacinths are symbols of peace of mind. Under her feet lays a snake which refers to Romans 16:20 The fruit label has strawberries on it which are symbols of righteousness. (Isaiah 32:17)
“Fruit of Self Control" watercolor ©Sara Drescher
The Fruit of Self Control is depicted as a woman sitting on a throne in a field. She holds a bowl of daisies in one hand and the world in another. The daisies represent purity because purity and self control go hand in hand. On the other side, she balances the world. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. The faithfulness of God, in the form of a dog, sits at her feet alert to help her in time of need (1 Peter 5:8). Also at her side are dozens of apples heaped up before her. Apples are symbols of sin and temptation. The floating keys in front of the hall with entrances and windows represents how God provides ways out of situations when we are tempted.(1 Corinthians 10:13). In her halo hang the planets to show God’s control, for He hung everything in its place (Psalm 8:3). The grapes in her hair are symbols of salvation and the rose at her throat is a symbol of love which echoes: “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)