Hello my friends, it’s August! Here in our little part of the planet, we are in the middle of summer and getting our fill of sunshine, sweet fruits, and, the favourite for our family: time by the ocean. This month’s painting is one that I hope communicates that summer vibe. Hope you enjoy this story!
“The Gift of Time” was commissioned by my dear friend Sue and her husband, Marc. For 7 years she had been looking for a painting to put above their bed and hadn’t found anything she really wanted. When she found out I was taking commissions, she was very excited to explore the possibility of a custom piece. And I was super honoured she would choose my work for her home!
She chose to have a painting made from a photo her husband had taken on an anniversary trip to the Sunshine Coast. She was particularly drawn to the blues of the sky and water. Being on the West Coast where we get dreary grey winters, she wanted something bright to cheer up her living space.
I titled this piece, “The Gift of Time,” to remind them both of their trip as well as the years of marriage they have traversed together. I hope it brings them joy and continually reminds them of how loved they are.
Being a summertime painting, I thought that August would be the perfect month for it. I hope it brings you a lightness of heart and a sense of ease and rest.
For those with the Scripture calendar
This month’s artwork is paired with Isaiah 58:11 which says, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” I chose this verse because the description of a “sun-scorched land” is something I associate with the heat of summer. Where we live, right now we are under water restrictions and our grass is all golden (which is a nice way of saying it all looks brown). It is in these parched conditions that God promises to strengthen us and meet our needs. My hope is that this month, you would experience God’s strengthening whatever you may be facing.
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Notice the dry, brittle grass on the ledge in the painting. What area(s) of your life feel dry like that? Notice now the lush blue of the ocean. Imagine all the aquatic life contained in it. In what area(s) of your life do you feel the cool abundance of water? How is God meeting you in both the dry and abundant areas of your life today?
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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!