The other day, feeling stifled in the house with all the glorious weather outside, I decided to take a walk over the two high railroad bridges here in the village. What a breathtaking view from the heights. The river still holds a blanket of thin ice and you can follow the tracks of various animals as they must have been dancing back and forth far below.
The random pattern of everyday life.
What would it be like if the earth started to shake and the whole world was turned upside down? Seems like the world has been turned upside down for many this past while. From the earthquake in Haiti to floods and quakes in Chili. These things weigh heavy on my mind as I wander on, basking in the sunshine, warm on my face. Feeling so safe and blessed.
While doing some research, I read this quote in the Washington Post from an artist in Haiti.
He had lost most of his oil paint in the rubble and could resume painting only after a friend gave him some salvaged tubes of acrylics.
"He wanted to give me some money," Gerald recalled. "But I said I didn't want anything but paint. Just give me paint."
Seems like that is what artists do... may not seem like much to others. An artist has no choice. That recording instinct just takes over, somehow trying to make sense of the chaos surrounding us as we put paint to canvas.
I have recently finished a painting called Hope for Haiti. The painting is symbolic of the miraculous baby girl found in the rubble in Haiti, more than a week after the earthquake. Her name is Elizabeth Josaint and her very survival reflects supernatural hope for Haiti.
This is not a fund raiser for Haiti. It is a painting to raise the spirit. A painting to record the miraculous protection of the Lord and provide a reminder of hope.
I am still working on images of Haiti. They won’t let me go so there is another painting on the way.
