Hello friends, as I write this, the first leaves are falling from our neighbour’s walnut tree, temperatures are cooling and the kids are back to school. Welcome to September. Pour yourself a cup of something yummy and join me in this month’s story!
“Still Waters” was created to be part of the Healing Gardens Exhibit in the spring of 2022. One of my friends had invited me to participate in it and I was excited for my first group show. My friend also happened to send me some beautiful photos so I decided to paint one of her photos for the show.
I had a 12″x12″ canvas on hand because the year before, I had applied to an online exhibit featuring square foot sized paintings. I wasn’t accepted into that show so I had this canvas to use.
This painting became one of my favourites from the year. I had done a bright magenta underpainting and I loved that you can see hints of it peaking through in the sky.
During the show, another friend of mine saw the piece and told me he loved it but was saving up for an engagement ring at the time. I felt like this painting should go to him and his soon-to-be fiancée so we decided that if it was still available after the show, we would chat about it. It didn’t sell during the show so we made an arrangement so that he could purchase the painting and part of it would be my gift to the couple. They recently had their wedding and my heart smiles when I think of this piece blessing their home.
I titled this painting, ” Still Waters” because the water, sky, and clouds in this image invite me to a place of calm – to still my anxious heart and take a deep breath.
I chose this piece for the month of September because in my life, September is usually a busy month with the kids returning to school and regular programming starting up again. I wanted a piece that would remind me of quiet spaces and invite me to be still. I hope this painting invites you to take some moments of calm throughout your days this month as well.
For those with the Scripture calendar
The artwork this month is paired with Psalm 23:2 which gives us the familiar words, “He leads me beside quiet waters.” As we transition out of summer and into the fullness of fall, I hope the words of this psalm, along with the image of these still waters offer you the space to breathe. May you find moments to reflect and rest in the midst of your work and responsibilities.
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Notice the reflection of the sky indicating the water’s stillness. Now notice the ripples indicating life and movement. Both are necessary parts of the water. The same is true of our lives. We need stillness and opportunities for reflection but we also need movement, lest we become stagnant. In which part(s) of your life do you notice or long for stillness? In which part(s) of your life do you notice or long for movement?
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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