The Migrant

(Small watercolor study of Snow Goose in flight)

As the world reels from the latest terrorist tragedy in Paris, and our own country is in the grips of a major illegal immigration issue, another migration has been occurring across national boundaries. The major flyway "interstates" of the world have seen thousands of birds en route on their annual return south for the winter.

Just outside my patio doors I have enjoyed watching a flock of Snow Geese land in the early morning to recharge in this corn field on their way from Alaska to southern destinations.  I keep my field glasses by the door in order to observe their behavior, landings, and take-offs.  

This past Sunday the Jansen Art Center here in Lynden, WA held a concert by some tremendously talented young people.  I found it personally inspiring and challenging!  From a young 11 year old red-haired boy who took over the piano keyboard with great sensitivity to a young college cellist whose fingers were like rubber all over the strings to an energizing 9-member college jazz combo, I saw something very different being offered the world compared to what happened in Paris last week.  These young people have diligently committed hours and hours of study and practice to what is good and noble and brings joy to the world.  What they have chosen to focus on is life-giving and renewing to humankind! It reminded me that encouraging young people in their noble endeavors and hopes is a very important, worthy investment of my life!  Here is a video of a young rancher boy out in Utah who is making good choices with his life that will amaze you.

                                     

Encourage young people to develop the gifts and abilities they contain in seed form.  You never know where it will lead.  But one thing is for certain....the Arts have a way of bringing healing to the world, and it is especially powerful when done by young people!

Here is another set of two young men who are choosing to bring beauty to the world instead of destruction:  

                                   

And finally, I have completed a commission work for a client from Omaha, NE.  It is of Bishop Marty Chapel at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota:

Bishop Marty Chapel

8" x 10 1/2"

Graphite

Live bravely and beautifully!