Painting regularly has given me new eyes. While driving I notice the light shimmering on green leaves and wonder how to recreate it with paint. As I walk around our property I notice details and try to catch them with my camera. Perhaps they will become a painting…
I’m feeling a little sad as the leaves begin to turn color and cooler weather begins. I had so many plans for summer! Some of it happened, and hard things happened too. Loosing my little sister-in-law stopped us in our tracks. Grief rose up and encompassed us again.
Trying to recreate creation in paint is very therapeutic, and gives me a lot of time to ponder God’s artistry. While in Glacier National Park we had an afternoon we weren’t sure how to spend. We ended up driving to the North West part of the park to check out Polebridge Mercantile & Bakery.
Wow! & Yum! Inside it smelled like I imagine heaven will- all yeast & sugar and wonderfulness. We had huge huckleberry bear claws & almond joy cookies that I wish I knew the recipe for. We also discovered another entrance to the park that we didn’t know existed. Down a winding, dirt road where aspens were beginning to golden, we found Bowman Lake and got out to walk around. The beauty was astounding.
The day was overcast but the sun peaked through and shone a bit on the still lake. The central peaks of the park jutted up behind the lake providing contrast. We snapped lots of photos.
I had picked up an odd sized canvas at a thrift store before the trip-12×48. As I looked through my photos from the trip it seemed the perfect size to catch the reflection on the water of Bowman Lake. What fun to try to capture the colors and the glimmer of light on the mountains and in the water.
Next up, I decided to dig in to capturing sunrise at Logan Pass. I really wasn’t sure about getting up early enough to see the sun rise on the Going to the Sun Road, but it was so worth it. Spectacular! Cool air surrounded us, the sun peaked around the crags in the mountains and started to light up the sky, lighting up the grass and wildflowers. Fireweed glowed in the first rays. So much symbolism there.
Fireweed is the first flower to appear after forest fires. The fires actually help the seeds open. Therefore it’s a symbol of hope after fire, rebirth after tragedy. I thought about this as I sought to capture the glowing petals.
Then, needing a break from large canvases I started painting a brilliant butterfly that my husband Brent took a photo of at Shell Beach. We were walking on Kortum trail with a friend and among the drab weeds this brilliant guy caught our attention. As I painted the brown and gold background I thought of all the dark that can be used to highlight the light. Without the contrast there isn’t true beauty.
Today in working through a grief journal I thought about secondary losses because of cancer, and loosing important people over the last couple of years. These losses are real and I’m grappling with the need to feel them so I can move on.
Secondary gains also came to mind. Like, having a new appreciation for the beauty around me and seeing unexpected surprises. I love Leanna Crawford’s song, “How Can You Not?” It’s about seeing God all around us-in the sunrise, or reflection, or lizard sitting on a pumpkin. I’ve found that recognizing these blessings can bring daily joy. I’m grateful the contrast of dark times can make the happy ones shine brighter.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 encourages me to keep seeking with the eyes of my heart. In this passage God says, “ I know the plans I have for you, to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all of your heart.” He promises that if we look, we will find Him.
I’m hoping you see something special today- a color, a smile, a gift in holding the hand of someone you love- a glimpse of God in your world. May that unexpected surprise bring a smile of joy to your face and warm your heart.
