The Master Painter

This week I have been spending much of my time painting. The Yellow Springs “Art on the Lawn Festival” that is approaching on August 11th. I am getting excited for the event, but in the next two weeks I also have a lot of details to figure out with the booth set up and paintings. I am so thankful for my family allowing me to take over the basement with my projects. My dad even put in a fluorescent light in a corner of the unfinished part, so I can paint my big paintings. Yes, HUGE. Well, they could be bigger, but for right now they are the biggest I have ever worked with, meaning the boards being almost as tall as I am…that I consider pretty big. 🙂

A few things I have learned the past few weeks of painting: Artists keep an open mind (explore possibilities); Artists learn from others and artists do not procrastinate. Also from personal experiences: Artists do not talk with their hands while holding a paintbrush. 🙂

My family sees all my paintings. I have had paintings I consider duds, but that is where my family sees potential in them. Some like today, needed help! My mom and sister offered a few suggestions of how to make the painting better…then my dad came in and made a few comments, so I fixed more things. As I was finishing, I got paint (unknowingly) on my hand that smeared the bottom of the board. I had to redo the whole bottom half. I spent hours on this one piece. After finishing, I took a small break then headed back to work on another. But then it hit. Just this wave of fatigue. It felt like being back at college during finals week. I caved and took a nap.

As I was cleaning up for the night, I noticed a beautiful sunset out the window. I grabbed my camera and rushed outside just as the colors were peaking through the clouds. I realized that my painting is so small compared to the sky–God’s canvas. He is the Master Painter. I stood in awe of His work, His beauty and His majesty.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.

Their voicegoes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for  the sun,
which comes out like  a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Psalm 19:1-6