Above the Starry Canopy

(Small gouache study)

"...above the starry canopy
There must dwell a loving father.
Do you fall in worship, you millions?
World, do you know your creator?
Seek Him in the heavens;
Above the stars must he dwell."

---Friedrich Schiller
(1759 - 1805)
From 'Ode to Joy"

(These were the lyrics that Beethoven set to music in his Ninth Symphony.)

If you had seen my idea for what this painting started out as, you would be amazed at the opposite direction I traveled to come up with this idea of a night scene. There is a reason for the concept of a night scene.  I had made a mistake.  A big one.  I started out painting a still life of a vase full of  bright yellow forsythia.  For the underpainting, half of this picture was ORANGE!  The other half was a light cerulean blue.  Hard to imagine now, eh?!  The more I worked on that first idea of a still life, the more downhill things went until I disgustedly acknowledged that I'd just have to throw it out.  Sometimes our best efforts come to nothing.

But wait!!  Wait a moment!  After the mess laid on my desk for a few days, I thought of a way to redeem it.  And VOILA!  This dark night sky scene emerged.  The dark blue totally covered up the bright orange and so a night landscape of Mt. Baker in the Northwest Cascades became the focus.  

Redemption is a wonderful reality for our lives.  It is what God is in the business of doing with the messiness of our choices, failures, and shortcomings.  Hope becomes a part of our daily experience when the Creator of the Universe is working away in us, empowering us to become what we should be and were meant to be.  Making us a new creation...for His glory!

I love this little poem of Emily Dickinson's:

" 'Hope' is the thing with feathers---

That perches in the soul--

And sings the tune without the words---

And never stops---at all---

And sweetest---in the Gale---is heard---

And sore must be the storm---

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm---

I've heard it in the chillest land---

And on the strangest Sea---

Yet, never, in Extremity,

It asked a crumb---of Me.

Live bravely and beautifully!

Something Absolutely Unimaginable!

"Jesus on the Cross"

Oil on canvas

Rembrandt

Great events in history demand great art to highlight those events. No greater event in history has ever occurred than the birth,death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, fully man and fully God. We mark our keeping of the years with B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini) meaning 'in the year of the Lord'.  

Lots of well-meaning folk have concluded that Jesus Christ was just a good person who led an exemplary life.  But He did not leave us that option to consider.  As C.S. Lewis wrote: 

"This man we are talking about either was (and is) just what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse."

"We believe that the death of Christ is just that point in history at which something absolutely unimaginable from outside shows through into our own world."

If you look around at our world or listen to what's on the news, you can quickly conclude that we are in a mess.  More than that, look within your own soul and you know your own darkness there.  Jesus Christ became fully one of us to pay the penalty for our rebellion against God.  He lived here on this earth experiencing all that humanity suffers, and He willingly took God's wrath against our rebellion.  Because He did all that without sin, He could be the perfect sacrifice in our place.  Joan Osborne sang a song in the 1990's that spent some thought in the possibilities of Jesus becoming one of us in her song of that title...One of Us:

Jesus did come in human form.  He walked this earth and lived among us.  He came to offer a path of peace between human beings and God.  He did this because God wants us to take the opportunity to choose of our own volition to love Him.  The next time God comes, it will be with a different purpose.  Again, as C.S. Lewis writes in his book Mere Christianity:

"God is going to invade , all right:  but what is the good of saying you are on His side then,

when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else---

something it never entered your head to conceive---

comes crashing in;

something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left:

For this time it will be God without disguise;

something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love 

or

irresistible horror into every creature.

It will be too late then to choose your side...

That will not be the time for choosing:

it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realised it before or not.

Now,

today,

this moment,

is our chance to choose the right side.

God is holding back to give us that chance.  

It will not last forever. 

We must take it or leave it."

The Descent from the Cross

Rembrandt

May you enjoy fully all the benefits of this Easter culminating in the joyous celebration of Jesus' resurrection from the dead on Sunday morning!

Live bravely and beautifully!

Time's Pecking Order

(from my nature journal)

If you've ever been around chickens, you soon come to realize that there is a pecking order or hierarchy established among these barnyard fowl.  The most dominant hens who have successfully bullied their way to prominence peck at weaker hens, sometimes pecking out feathers and leaving bare patches on the less fortunate poultry.  The aggressive hens obviously carry their weight in the chicken coop!

Just as farm hens establish a priority of importance in the barnyard, so must we with our use of time if we desire to stay in forward motion with our lives.  The time we have on earth is a gift...every moment matters.  Our stewardship of how we spend our days will come under scrutiny.  Establishing what is most important in our life overall will help us to determine what needs to be given priority in our every day.  Golda Meir, former prime minister of Israel, stated this:  "I must govern the clock, not be governed by it."  In this digital age where so much of our time seems to be siphoned off on what matters for the moment but not the big picture, this is quite a feat for most of us to stay on course.

Here's a few thoughtful quotes to empower you to stay the course, like an Olympic athlete focused on the finish line:

"Without discipline, there's no life at all."

                                                        ---Katharine Hepburn

"Live a life of intention and purpose.  Ask yourself, 'What can I contribute to this day?' "

                                                        ---Todd Henry

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."

                                                        ---Mike Murdock

Even with the best-laid plans, reality often careens across our schedules with demands beyond our control.  But if we develop a habit of "getting back in the saddle" after such events, we will find ourselves advancing towards our goals.  Remember Aesop's famous fable about the rabbit and the turtle....slow and steady wins the race.  Persistence!  Rory Vaden encourages us with this:  "Focus on progress, not perfection.  All success is messy.  It is never a perfect plan.  Cultivate the habit action by demanding progress."  

  

Enjoy some interesting facts about pecking order among chickens on this Youtube video:

Live bravely and beautifully!

Learn from the Mighty Bighorn

"High Impact"

24" x 40"

Woodburned on birch

Available

Over the last several months, bighorn sheep have been on my mind. I've enjoyed developing this scene of the two bighorns charging into combat with each other.  Imagine the scenery and the sound!  During this time I have studied various sources of info about these amazing animals.  They are fascinating creations of intentional design!  In thinking about them, a number of carry-over lessons for life emerge. Here'a a few I'll share with you:

1.  Face challenges head-on.

Bighorn sheep don't run the other direction.  They run into the conflict.  Often the temptation for us is to employ avoidance techniques, but the problem doesn't go away.  It is still there, often growing worse over time.  Be like a bighorn....run to the problem and deal with it straightaway.  Nip it in the bud.

2.  Know where your nourishment is found.

During the winter months, bighorns migrate from the high alpine meadows to lower elevations where food isn't covered in deep drifts. If they stayed up high, they would die. Likewise, we need to be aware of what nourishes our souls and avail ourselves of good substance. With busy schedules, it is easy to attempt to "run on empty", but that leads to malnutrition and "dis"-ease to our lives.  Bighorns also ruminate, or chew the cud.  This is part of their nutrition process. That takes time, but it is necessary for gaining maximum nourishment from their food.  I appreciate this quote by Daniel Goleman:  "People who are self-reflective---who take time out to pray or to meditate or have some way of being in nature regularly, who spend time being with themselves and have a rich interior life---are better able to pay full attention to other people."

King David also wrote about the impact of nourishing one's inner life from Psalm 1:

"Oh, the joys of those who...delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.  They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do."

3.  Absorb hard knocks.

The impact of two charging bighorn rams is absorbed through their bodies due to their unique design.  The rams' horns consist of two layers.  Their skulls are double-layered and they also have a massive tendon between their skull and spine to help the head pivot and recoil.  When we encounter setbacks or run into obstacles in life, the better tactic is to not be brittle and abrasive to them, but to absorb and learn from the impact.  Gain all the lessons you can and turn it into a stepping stone in your life, not a stumbling block.

4.  Get a grip on challenges.

Bighorn sheep hooves are remarkably designed to be able to grip on barely a two-inch rock ledge.  The cloven front hooves allow for gripping uneven rock.  The outer edge of the hoof is hard while the inner surface is a rubbery material to help with gripping.  In our lives, we need to be prepared for rough terrain and steep climbs.  Study the lives of others, read, and be a careful observer of what works in life.  Abraham Lincoln said:  "I must read and study to prepare myself, for someday my chance will come."

5.  Be discerning.

The bighorn sheep have very keen eyesight.  They can accurately judge distances for leaping and landing safely.  Predators can be spotted from far away, as much as 8x power binoculars.  It is very difficult to successfully sneak up on a herd of bighorns. Likewise, we need to develop our discernment for what is true, excellent, admirable, honorable, and right.  Doing this will keep us from error and stumbling along the way.

6.  Climb higher.

A survival factor for the bighorn sheep is to stay in proximity to what is called "escape terrain".  That is why they are found in canyons, cliffs, and on steep slopes.  They have excellent memories and can recall all the crooks and crannies and crevices for good footing. They know what will hold up in making a 20 ft. leap across space.  And they know that keeping higher than their predators can go when under attack is vital.  Like them, we need to get higher than our problems.  Gaining ground is a gain in perspective.  It puts us out of reach so that difficulties cannot take us under.  We need to know our strengths and weaknesses.  But even more, we need to have a place of refuge that is greater than what assails us.  I love what King David writes in Psalm 91:  "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.' "

Live bravely and beautifully!

Footgear for the Climb

(Small gouache study of Bighorn Sheep)

One of my favorite animals to include in my artwork is the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.  I am in awe of their ability to climb impossible-looking rocky slopes.  Their impressive horns give them a regal look.  These wild sheep can take daring leaps across open ledges that take one's breath away.  

Let's zoom in and take a closer look at the Bighorns' hooves.  Here we see amazing design at work.  The outer edge of the hoof is hard with sharp edges, while the bottoms are hollow in the center which is made of

a rubbery substance.  This enables them to grip hard edges with ease and ascend near vertical slopes.  These Bighorns are undaunted by an arduous climb!

We all face challenges in our lives that can resemble steep slopes with terrifying drop-offs. Having the proper "foot gear" can make all the difference in whether we surmount our difficulties and move forward with our lives.  The flip-flops or sandals of playing safe and comfortable are definitely not for consideration in the climb....we need something that is rugged and grips well.  King David offers a solid source of stability for the high places in our lives:

"God arms me with strength,

and He makes my way perfect.

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

enabling me to stand on mountain heights."

---Psalm 18:32,33

(8' x 8' chalk drawing I did at the Denver Chalk Art Festival - 2010)

Live bravely and beautifully!

Going Places

"Morning Flyover"

(Small watercolor)

This morning on my walk I heard a very welcome sound.  Honking geese were flying high in formation towards the north.  I love this time of the year in which the flyways of the skies are filled with migrating birds heading towards their summer habitats.  

The sense of going places in one's life is uplifting!  An expectancy of what's to be gained keeps one in the chase, overcoming obstacles, and gaining ground.  Joy flows in the current of our lives, no matter the hardships encountered.  Our lives are tracking in forward motion and that encourages growth.  And that is what migration is about...a moving from one place to another.

But what happens when we run aground, get stuck, and sense stagnation in our lives? What factors contribute to lack of motion in our lives?  Perhaps we've taken our eyes off the ball and allowed inactivity to creep into our lives regarding disciplines and goals. We've started to settle for what comes naturally instead of endeavoring to stretch and grow. 

Stagnation comes from lack of action in our lives.  What is needed is to take meaningful action.  Life is already full of dulling "busy-ness". Reflective consideration of where we're at and where we'd like to go helps pull us out of a rut and head us into the race again.  Choose to keep it simple and take small steps.  Evaluate what truly matters and commit to growth. Nourish your soul by rich reading, friendships, and actions that improve the lives of others. Choose to focus on what you care about...what fascinates and motivates you.

Be willing to wrestle with growth steps.  Don't settle for stagnation. Stay in the fight.  It is in the process itself where growth occurs. Purpose to stay in forward motion.  

Stagnate pools can reek of foul odors and don't attract life.  Running streams of water are teeming with life and vitality.  King David opened the magnificent book of Psalms with his metaphor of  the living streams of a river in Psalm 1:  

"Oh, the joys of those who do not

follow the advice of the wicked, 

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the LORD,

meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the 

riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do."

King David offers a way out of stagnation here.  Join the migration to a joyous and intentional life.  You'll truly be going places somewhere grand!

Live bravely and beautifully!

From Mundane to Magnificent

"Wind River Canyon, Wyoming"

(Small gouache study)

I recently finished reading a book authored by Chris Orwig titled, The Creative Fight.  In his closing comments, Chris wrote this:

With a creative outlook, the mundane becomes magnificent and the ordinary becomes alive.  Those who adopt such an approach see life not as it is but as it should be, so that even drudgery and difficulty become profound.

The thrust of his book was about creating your best work incorporating all the circumstances that affect your life.  And yes, that includes the difficult and very ordinary dailiness of our lives.  Our best work will come from that blend.  Challenges and struggle give our work an authenticity and character that would be bland otherwise.  In the wrestling with strain and overcoming adversity we make of our lives a work of art.  The key is living creatively in how we approach hardship.  It is in growing through that process that we emerge with something of beauty for the world.  

While working out early one morning recently I also listened to a presentation on YouTube by Evan Carmichael on John Williams' Top Ten Secrets to Success.  You'll find that it's common sense thinking, but it is good to be reminded of what's important.  Here's John Williams' Top Ten:

1.  Start small

2.  Work hard

3.  Challenge yourself

4.  Always strive for better

5.  Find the joy in life

6.  Enjoy every task you do

7.  Inspire others

8.  Practice everyday

9.  Nurture great friendships

10. Create greatness

Are there certain ones that particularly resonate with you?  Numbers 7 and 10 challenge me...inspire others and create greatness.  

Be encouraged to take the mundane in your life and make it something magnificent.  Stay in the creative fight!  It's so worth it!

Live bravely and beautifully!