OMSC Artists in Residence

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In retrospect I realize that [my works] are my own humble responses to God’s calling in my life. . . . The images are often given to me through the words of God, at worship services on Sundays, and during my daily devotion. I have the earnest hope that I will go on painting to praise the Lord," writes Soichi Watanabe in his art book, Jesus Walking with Us (2004). 

A resident of Koshigaya City, Saitama, Japan, he will be the 2008–09 OMSC artist in residence. Watanabe graduated in 1982 from the Ochanomizu Art School in Tokyo after having earned, a decade earlier, an economics degree from Tohoku Gakuin University in Sendai. He teaches at a private art school that he started in 1982. Watanabe’s oil paintings have been displayed in numerous solo exhibitions, including "The Encounter and the Hope" at Meiji Gakuin University,

 Tokyo, in 2000 and "Prayer for Peace" at the Ein Karem Gallery, Tokyo, in 2006. He is a member of the Christian Art Association in Japan and the Asian Christian Art Association.

The Intercession	The Return of the Son

Dr. Huibing He
2007–08 Artist in Residence

Dr. Huibing He works "to cultivate a core of Chinese pastors in the ministry of pastoral care and Christian arts." An Asian Christian Art Association member, she studied painting, drawing, and art theory in Guangzhou and Nanjing, China, and taught applied church art and Christian art history at Nanjing Theological Seminary (1985–92). After moving to the United States, Dr. He became pastor of First Chinese United Methodist Church, Duluth, Georgia. Since 2000 she has been pastor of First United Methodist Church, Port Jefferson, New York. An accomplished artist, she has had her work exhibited in China, Hong Kong, Austria, and the United States as well as published in more than a dozen books and magazines.

Nanjing in Autumn (1990)