Beauty in Standing Still
Last fall while I was in Jasper doing “plein-air”. I found a very quiet spot and painted a little picture of a boat resting on the dock, it was very serene but I felt I only captured the image but not much of the heartfelt moment -- until the beginning of this year, I felt the need of rest and renewal. Trying to give myself permission to rest is not easy! I wrote down in my journal to remind myself -- “There’s beauty in standing still”. A reminder of just to stand still and breathe. Little did I know that my soul was yearning for the rest even before I felt it. The painting was proof! I decided to paint a larger version of the resting boat; the bonus of it all is that I noticed the beautiful surroundings for the first time!
Jesus Loves Me
I was trying to find some inspiration to paint and found a B/W photo of this little girl which I took over 40 years ago. I have forgotten that I still have it… She came to one of the children’s programs I ran during the summers, might be with her older brothers or sisters. She was absolutely filthy but absolutely adorable at the same time, uncertainty was all over her face! Where is she now? And has she developed any confidence? Painting her brought back so much memories and joy.
Prelude
This photo was taken as we were driving back home from Jasper! The moody atmosphere just captured my heart. It was a mixture of sadness, and hopeful; warm and cold; welcome and farewell all in one! I hope I did justice to the image I captured in my mind’s eye!
A New Day Dawning
The trip to Nova Scotia in 2022 was all about orchards, besides a brief visit in Cape Breton, we spent a great deal of our energy “chasing” orchards in the Annapolis Valley. The most beautiful moments were the ones we went out before dawn. Trying to captured the mystic moments; seeing the trees appear from the mists or walking into the hazy road thick with fog… Those moments are precious because they are such a reminder of my favorite Bible verse:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning…” The dews are just like a rainbow reminding of His promise, all the good and bad; right or wrong will be washed clean! New Every Morning!
Beauty in Standing Still
Jesus Loves Me
Prelude
A New Day Dawning