THE GARDENER WHO WENT TO HEAVEN 

On 2nd April 2015 my dear old dad sadly passed away. His vegetable patch was behind The Shed (my studio). There were not many days that I wouldn’t hear a knock on the window and a “Morning, son” as he made his way to his parade ground with its regimented beds. The day after he went to meet his maker, I sat in the shed looking through that window at a garden that no longer had a gardener. I sat and drew a staircase ascending to Heaven with Dad climbing the stairs, watched by his old friend.


The drawing was put aside knowing one day it would become a painting. Here we are in the present day. I felt the time was right and from that sketch this book has evolved.


Within these pages there are some light-hearted moments but my faith, following Christ, is a serious part of my life. If I am not painting, I am praying. As my dad the gardener once did, I can only sow the seeds. My hope is that you, if you don’t already,  will pick up the Bible and read the Gospels. Everything you need to know for your own salvation is there, waiting. Although we are saved by grace and faith in Christ, we do need to repent, turn away from sin and be born again in the Spirit.


“Narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”


I pray that I make it through that narrow gate, and I wonder if one day when I am walking in God’s Garden, I shall hear that familiar “Morning, son” once again.  



Gary Bunt, 2024

All paintings are oil on canvas and dimensions do not include the frame.

20 x 24 inches

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From a nook in a tree in the churchyard

A wise old owl took flight

A days work now done, gone is the sun

The moon is shining bright

My Master’s resting in the barrow

He’s nodded off to sleep

I’ll say a little prayer for him

That the Lord his soul shall keep

30 x 36 inches

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The hands had stopped on the old church clock

At twenty-five minutes past eleven

A staircase arose from the vegetable patch

My Master was called up to Heaven

I sat and watched him slowly ascend

Heading up into the sky

I thought about the times we’d had

Those days now passed us by

My tail would never wag again

I whimpered and I whined

Don’t leave me down here all alone

I don’t want to be left behind

12 x 10 inches

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Step by step he made his way

Up into the clouds

Then I heard my Master’s voice

He called my name aloud

Come on old friend, come follow me

You can’t stay there alone

We’ve spent our lives together

And now we are going home

10 x 12 inches

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Here we are on Judgement Day

Standing before the Lord

He’s checking in the book of life

Then we’re off through one of those doors

I’m feeling very nervous

I think I saw him frown

Let us pray that we’re going up

And he doesn’t send us down

I chewed my Master’s slippers once

I’ve chased our neighbour’s cat

I can only hope he was busy that day

And never saw any of that

20 x 24 inches

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I think it must be bin day

There’s a lot of recycling about

I wonder if the Apostles

Take turns in putting them out

My Master pushed the bell on the wall

A voice said “Could you wait

I’m sending my chap Peter

To open up the gates.”

 

15 x 18 inches

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We walked up the drive feeling so alive

At peace, no reason to feel sad

Waiting for their son to come home

Were my Master’s mum and dad

“Just to hold you in our arms again

So many years have passed

But here we are together once more

For eternity it shall last.”

 

10 x 12 inches

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You followed me for many years

Stayed away from sin

Took up your cross, had faith in me

That’s why we’ve let you in

So welcome to our heavenly realm

To paradise with God

Your friend can stay as he didn’t stray

He’s been a very good dog

13 x 16 inches

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Jesus was very kind to us

He gave us the keys to our house

Then he told my Master to say a prayer

If he needed anything else

20 x 24 inches

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We have a beautiful garden

The flowers are very nice

My Master says “It’s Heaven here

This is paradise.”

There’s a very friendly angel

Who often comes to call

She likes to have a chat with us

While she sits upon the wall

13 x 16 inches

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My Master picked poppies from the garden

To lay at the foot of the cross

In remembrance of the soldiers

Whose lives were sadly lost

As we neared the memorial

He couldn’t believe what he saw

It was his brother Jack who never came back

He was killed in the First World War

They held each other very tight

Like they did when they said their goodbyes

And here they were together again

Tears of joy fell from their eyes

16 x 20 inches

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In the corner of a meadow

Wildflowers growing free

Stood a little donkey underneath a tree

“This donkey belongs to Jesus

It’s written on the sign

He rode him into Jerusalem

Palm Sunday Easter time.”





13 x 16 inches

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We saw an artist at his easel

He said he was Van Gogh

I think he was the Dutch one

That cut his left ear off

I heard him tell my Master

The day God let him in

An angel appeared beside his bed

And gave it back to him

20 x 24 inches

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We’re in the Christ cream van

Giving the children some treats

They came up here to Heaven last week

They didn’t have any water nor food to eat

Here they shall have plenty

Never to be hungry again

Saved from a place that allows this disgrace

It is such a crying shame


20 x 16 inches

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Tonight we came to choir practice

To hear the angels sing

It’s hard to explain the way I felt

The joy and peace within

My Master got quite emotional

I think he even cried

So I let him know I’m always here

Forever by his side

13 x 16 inches

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We are busy on the night shift

Making sure the stars are clean

Dusting them off, next it’s a wash

Then a polish with Mr Sheen



24 x 28 inches

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We went for an early morning stroll

Up out of bed with the lark

Whilst we were down by the river

We met Noah on his ark

An upright gentle godly man

Very very wise

He told us about the animals he saved

When the rain fell from the skies

13 x 16 inches

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We're down at Joseph and Mary's shop

Getting our groceries for the week

It’s my idea of heaven

There’s so many goodies to eat

I’d love a bit of cheddar cheese

But my Master said it’s not good for my heart

And just to make sure I don't nibble on things

I have to sit in the cart

10 x 12 inches

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We met a little girl today

She told us she was seven

Last year she wasn’t very well

So Jesus carried her up to Heaven

She said she’s very happy here now

Her pain has gone away

The sun is always shining

And the angels come out to play

She watches over her family

She doesn’t want them to worry

Because she’ll be waiting up here for them

But there isn’t any hurry

She wants them to carry on with life

She doesn’t want them to be sad

Jesus told her he’s saved a place for brothers and sisters, mums and dads

13 x 16 inches

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I'm having a really lovely day

Catching up with some of my mates

They have new homes where they are free to roam

No fences leads or gates

Once man’s best friends their walks came to an end

To Heaven they were lifted up

There’s a little place there called Doggie Daycare

Where they look after the orphaned pups

13 x 16 inches

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We went out for our afternoon walk

Down a country lane

There was a pretty cottage along the way

I’m sure I recognised the name

A little old lady passed us by

I couldn’t believe what I’d seen

That was her from Barkingham Palace

Elizabeth the Queen

24 x 20 inches

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We are listening to Jesus tell a story up here on top of the hill

He’s talking to some children who sadly had been very ill

“I know it may seem so unfair that your lives have been cut short

So I’ve gathered you together today to share with you some thoughts

Life on earth can be over in just the blink of an eye

The one thing guaranteed down there is everyone will die

But up here you shall live forever and we will look after you

You won’t have to do any homework, you won’t catch colds or flu

Here you will always be happy for this place is full of love

No breakers of laws, no more wars, it’s filled with the peace of white doves

Now we are all one big family and for those below we shall pray

Because some of them will be joining us tomorrow or maybe today"


24 x 28 inches

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It’s peaceful in God’s garden

In amongst the veg

Helping out the angels

Tending to the beds

Good seeds were sown that’s why they’ve grown

Putting down good strong roots

Jesus told my Master once

“Ye shall know them by their fruits.”

10 x 12 inches

£6,250


We’re making some weather with Jesus

Pouring down some rain

The farmers need it on the soil

To help them grow some grain

Once these clouds have passed on over

This shower will be done

We’ll put away our watering cans

And let God turn on the sun

20 x 24 inches

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It’s time to harvest the fields of wheat

So we are working down on the farm

Gathering up the bales of straw

Then taking them to the barn

Some grain has gone to the baker

Some to the farmer’s wife

They’ll make bread of Heaven

Where Jesus is the bread of life

16 x 20 inches

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We’ve been invited out for supper

To have some wine and bread

I’m feeling a little bit concerned

That it’s gone to my Master’s head

Jesus and the apostles started to cheer him on

Now he’s up on the karaoke

About to do a song

He’s going to put his hip out

The way he’s shaking his pelvis

He’s singing about a hound dog

I’m sure he thinks he’s Elvis

20 x 16 inches

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I lay here and pray

Thank God for this day

For my Master and I are blessed

Feeling the love of Jesus

On this day of rest

Lazing in our hammocks

Listening to the honey bees

My little heart glows

As the sun warms my nose

Beneath the blossom trees

15 x 18 inches

£9,500


Jesus gave us some wellington boots

A hat, a coat, a scarf

He said “There’s always work to do

As the seasons pass

Wintertime is nearly here

The north wind’s starting to blow

So I wonder if you could lend me a hand

Shovelling some snow?”

16 x 13 inches

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I’ve just woken up with a bit of a start

Things aren’t quite what they seem

I thought we were dead but I’m in bed with Ted

It must have all been a dream

But now I know where I want to go

When we take our last God-given breath

To go and live with Jesus where there’s victory over death

So to you all I say to God you must pray

Live righteous, turn away from sin

For narrow is the path to Heaven

Faith in Christ is the only way in

He was sent from above to show us all love

Crucified and died on the Cross

Then he wiggled his toes

On the third day he rose

So he can save his sheep that are lost

16 x 13 inches

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For my Master and I it’s another day

For some it may be their last

So we don’t fret about tomorrow nor fret about the past

We live each moment as it comes

No time to make a fuss

There’s always someone somewhere

That’s much worse off than us






10 x 12 inches

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Our Father who art in Heaven

While my Master’s saying grace

I’d like to thank you for letting us stay

And for showing us around the place

I really liked it in Heaven

I’m looking forward to coming back

I promise not to chew any slippers

And I won’t chase next door's cat – AMEN

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