About Us
We at Maranatha Visual Arts LLC are committed to expressing the truth of God’s Word clearly in order to comfort, encourage and to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Betty Jean Luther
airbrush and pencil artist and co-manager
As a child, Betty would go up into the attic and dig out pictures done by Milton Caniff, her Dad’s cousin, who illustrated the comic books Steve Canyon and Terry and the Pirates.
In her youth, Betty’s father was the one in her family that she can recall that paid her special attention. Her Mom had suffered severe rejection from her family and she carried those wounds into her parenting. Betty had no meaningful relationships with her siblings. Her Dad as a youth used to go with his brother’s and drag her drunken grandfather home form the local bar. Unfortunately, Betty’s Dad also followed that destructive pattern, but she loved him. When she was little, she would curl up with him as he would lie passed out on the floor. Later on, Betty would bring him her artwork to try to make him smile, which he did at least briefly, and it encouraged her to keep drawing.
When Betty was fourteen her Dad died. While yearning to escape her situation, it led to poor decisions and years of struggle. Then in 1979, she read the “Late Great Planet Earth” written by Hal Lindsey. She has never lost the excitement in knowing that Jesus is Lord and that He is coming again. She has since dedicated her artwork to the Lord and for His glory!
Craig Luther
art producer, framer, and co-manager
As a youth, Craig had a desperate need for guidance. Also a gifted artist, Craig turned down an art career to pursue glory on the gridiron, but failing bitterly, which led to depression, fear of failure, and almost to taking his life. Craig met Betty in 1979 and in part through her influence came to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
The God of second chances allowed Craig to have a successful career training athletes, and then to teach physical education for 25 years. He also sang America the Beautiful and the fourth stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner (“In God we trust”) at sporting events and at the Veteran’s Celebrations for around 20 years. Now in retirement he advises Betty and produces her work.
Courtney Luther Defour
landscape artist, independent contractor
When I was ten years old, I went to a Franklyn Graham crusade. I saw a chalk artist there that I thought was awesome and I had never before seen anything like it. After graduating from high school; I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. The Lord knew the plan he had for me, I just had to seek Him with all my heart. One afternoon while sitting by our wood burning stove, I cried out to God, asking him to show me what he wanted me to do with my life. He reminded me of that chalk artist I had seen years earlier. I enrolled in some chalk art courses through Eternity Arts. I received my training from Matthew Bowmen, Larry Sinclair, Ray Dombeck, and Ester Frey, the world’s oldest chalk artist at the age of 97. I am confident the Lord will use my gifts to further his kingdom.
In Christ,
Courtney Luther Defour