It’s February! I don’t know how the first month of 2022 went for you, but I know I certainly have needed daily reminders of God’s presence and love. It is time for another backstory and I feel honoured to be able to share this month’s story with you.
The story behind this month’s painting is a tale of two best friends who have seen and accompanied each other through a myriad of situations and stages of life, encouraging each other along the way.
Last Spring, I was contacted by Jane, who wanted to see if I could create a piece for our mutual friend, Jackie. Jane and Jackie had been best friends since high school and Jackie had an upcoming milestone birthday. As I chatted with Jane, she told me about a memory they shared of canoeing at Pitt Lake on the outskirts of Vancouver. We decided to go with a scene from there, along with a sky at sunrise, to signify the beginning of a new career for Jackie. Jackie was training to be a counselor for neurodiverse families and our wish for her was that her future practice would be part of bringing light into these families’ lives.
What made this gift even more special was that when Jane began her medical practice, Jackie had gifted her with a piece of art. I felt privileged to both witness and participate in their friendship.
I found a couple beautiful photos to reference on Instagram and both photographers were willing to let me use them for this painting. Initially, I had tried a composition where there was more sky and less water, but as I looked at it, I realized that the emphasis needed to be on the reflection of the sky in the water. In painting the reflection, I was still painting the sky!
I titled it, “Awaken the Dawn,” after the phrase found in Psalm 57:8. As Jackie embarks on this new path of coming alongside of neurodiverse families, I hoped that this painting would represent the awakening and dawning of a new chapter in her life, but also that she would be instrumental in awakening new ways of integration and wholeness in the lives of the people she works with.
From initial concept sketch to the completion of this project, Jane and I collaborated together, with her giving me feedback and encouragement at each step. By the time this painting was packaged and mailed to Jackie, both Jane and I were full of anticipation and excitement.
I chose to pair this painting with the scripture verse from Jeremiah 31:3, which says, “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.” In a month where stores and ads are full of hearts and roses, I wanted to come back to the foundational Love that holds us all. A love broader than romantic love. I especially appreciate the reminder in this verse that God loves us as a people, plural. In times where there is so much division and antagonism, it helps me to remember that God loves not just me as an individual. As my spiritual director likes to say, “We are all God’s favourites.”
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: What is God awakening in you at this time? How does the concept of water reflecting the sky resonate with you? In what ways is God like the sky and you like the water? In what ways are you like the sky and God like the water?
Special Invitation – Upcoming Exhibit!
I have the honour of exhibiting my work at an upcoming art show at PoMoArts (formerly Port Moody Arts Center) along with 8 other amazing ceramicists, painters, photographers and fibre artists. The show is called Healing Gardens and all the work is centered around this theme. The exhibit is free and open to the public from February 24 – March 31, 2022. I will have at least 11 paintings in the show, most of which will be for sale. A portion of all sales will go to support the gallery and local arts. If you visit, be sure to take some photos and tag me if you post it on social media. For those who aren’t able to attend in person, you can still see the work via the Healing Gardens Exhibit Virtual Gallery.
You are invited to attend our opening night virtual reception on Facebook Live. You don’t need an Facebook account to access it, you can simply visit this link to the virtual opening. I, along with the other artists, will be giving a short talk about our work. The exhibition opening and virtual reception will be on Thursday, February 24 at 7:15pm PST. I’d love to know if you’re planning to attend!
If you enjoyed this post and want to read about the stories behind all the paintings in this year’s calendar, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! I am aiming to post them the second Friday of each month. (You might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see it.)
As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!