Trussville painter shares God’s message through artwork

Artist Joy Varnell says she can’t sing or teach. Don’t even ask her to speak in public.
   
But the NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville, member has discovered a way to serve the Lord with the talents she does have.
   
Varnell started painting murals 18 years ago. She initially painted what she describes as “things on bedroom walls” but felt frustrated because she was unable to serve at her church.
“My husband was getting ready to go to choir practice one night,” Varnell said. “I said, ‘I’m so full of this, and I want to be able to share with people like you do.’”
   
Her husband pointed out that she had a gift she could share — her painting.
   
“We were going to Trussville First Baptist Church at the time. I talked to the preacher and the choir director and told them I wanted to be able to use my gift.”
   
Before long, Varnell was put to work painting backdrops for children’s musicals.
   
Today, she works out of a basement studio, producing backdrops, murals and banners for several churches in the area.
   
She believes her gift has a place in the church, although she said the main focus  is the sermon.
   
“I think the basic thing that draws people into the church is the sermon and the Word,” Varnell said.
   
“Some people get things from the music they can’t get elsewhere. Other people are very visual and need to see things.”
   
She recently finished painting a mural of Jesus and the children at NorthPark Baptist Church, where Bill Wilks serves as pastor. 
 
“Jesus is dressed in traditional clothes, but the children are dressed in modern clothing. I have children of all nationalities, and one with Down syndrome,” Varnell said. “I felt thechildren could relate better if the children in the mural were dressed like them.”
   
Amy Lachina, minister to children at NorthPark, said children and adults notice the mural, behind the preschool welcome center. She said clothing differences make the mural special.
   
“You can look at it and tell that even though Jesus was [here on earth] so long ago, He’s still real today and available for a relationship with us.”
   
Lachina said, adding the mural aptly portrays the church’s beliefs. “I think it makes people feel like we are a place that loves children and that makes them feel comfortable,”  she said.