Brushstrokes
Read:
Psalm 19
An
artist named Helen Frankenthaler was quoted saying, "A picture
that is beautiful or that works looks as if it was all made at one
stroke. I don't like to see the trail of a brushstroke or a drip of
paint."
I
disagree. Brushstrokes are a big part of the beauty to me. They
tell so much about the process, the journey. I went to the DIA
looking for some inspiration and some help with a project. By
studying a Matisse painting and looking specifically for the
brushstrokes, I got a personal lesson from Matisse himself. In fact
from that point on I discovered brushstrokes (and yes even drips) in
many paintings ‑ each one a lesson in technique and paint
thickness.
A
pure blue sky can be beautiful in its simplicity, but I like to see
God's brushstrokes dragging the clouds from one place to another.
God's amazing sky paintings can come naturally from the clouds, but
even a jet plane striping the pale blue canvas is a reminder of the
beauty and wonder of all of God's gifts. How much more beautiful is a
sunset when there are bold strokes of clouds across the sky.
On
our own faces we can see the brushstrokes of our lives. When I look
in the mirror and see lines around my eyes, I try to remember all the
good reasons I smiled so much to make them ‑ or even the
beautiful sunny days that made me squint (and yes gave me the
sunburns to add to the wrinkles). Instead of seeing imperfection and
aging, I need to embrace the brushstrokes and be grateful for all the
things that made them.
Personally
I like brushstrokes in a painting. They let us into the artist's
mind and they show us the creative process. I like the brushstrokes
in nature too. They show us God's creative process. I'm trying to
like the brushstrokes I see in my mirror. They are evidence of God's
gifts to me and God's work through me.
Dear
God, Thank you for the beauty you have given us. Thank you for the
evidence that you are at work in our lives. Thank you for all the
brushstrokes. Amen.
Jacki
Rumpp
Look
for God's brushstrokes in your life.
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