06/04/2026
Well… not JUST a bike. It is also freedom, my mom, and God.
In my early 20s, when adulthood felt more confusing than exciting, I bought a bicycle. It turned out to be a return—to freedom and a version of myself I’d almost forgotten.
Then, standing in front of one of my bicycle paintings, my mom quietly said, “It reminds me of my freedom.”
For years, I thought bicycles were about childhood. As I watched my mother slowly lose her eyesight and, with it, much of the independence that comes from simply being able to go where you want, when you want. I fully understood why bicycles have always meant so much to me. They were the rare gift of moving through the world under your own power—with enough wind in your face to make your worries feel small.
Lately, I’ve been struck by how often scripture describes God’s love as sheltering, carrying, and protecting. When I think of my mother, I think of that kind of love—and seeing God described in similarly tender ways has steadied my faith.
My new painting, “In the Shadow of Your Wings”, is inspired by Psalm 17:8: “Hide me in the shadow of your wings.” The pelicans above the rider symbolize protection, grace, home, and freedom. They first appeared in my work during a lonely season and have stayed ever since.
This painting is part of a larger story about bicycles, freedom, faith, and the people who shape us.
If you'd like to read the full story behind the painting, it's on the blog: https://denisehopkinsfineart.com/in-the-shadow-of-your-wings-a-contemporary-bicycle-painting-about-freedom-faith-and-motherhood/
And I'd love to know: What object, place, or memory symbolizes freedom for you?
