We have a painting in our house. It is a woman, tenderly holding a baby, standing at the edge of the ocean. We bought it on our honeymoon- a beautiful combination of our island vacation and the dreams for the future. It holds more meaning to me than the average person looking at it. For it is the innocence of two newlyweds and the pain of the losses that would come. It is hope and sweetness and dreams deferred. All rolled up together in a simple painting.
But that simple painting can evoke so much emotion in me. Nearly fifteen years later, it now leans against a closet wall and when I catch a glimpse of it, it has the ability to transport my soul and to stir my heart.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Thomas Merton
In that painting I find myself because it brings out thoughts that I don’t know I’m thinking. Some very true parts of myself. I lose myself because the trivial seems to fall away. The beauty of something larger than myself, of amazing hope, swells up.
Art has an ability to bypass my mind and go directly to my heart. And I can’t always tell you why. Beauty in the mystery of it all.
I thought for today, rather than just writing about art, let’s experience the beauty of it. Here are a couple of options:
1. Find a piece of art- in your house, online, a photograph that means a lot. Take some time to look at it and pay attention to how your soul reacts. What questions or thoughts? Praises or laments?
2. Consider the below quotes on art. As you read them, do they bring to mind something you have seen or found to be true about art?
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo Picasso
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.” Ansel Adams
“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one” Stella Adler
3. Henri Nouwen has an amazing book, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. It records the spiritual journey he finds himself on after seeing Rembrandt’s The Return of the Prodigal Son painting. It propels him into meditations on the father, the sons and love.
If you haven’t read it, I would put it on your to read list. (You can download or order here.) Or you could take a look at Rembrandt’s painting here and spend time reflecting on it and the ways it impacts seeing God’s unconditional love for you.
Who do you most identify with in the painting? How has this changed from past seasons of life? What details do you notice?
Although it comes in different forms and methods, art has the capacity to lead us into worship. To discover unspoken beauty and longing. It would be an honor to hear your response to any of the above suggestions, or in general how, or what, art has meaning to you.
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I definitely agree that art can lead to worship. It’s one thing I’ll be writing about in the coming months. As a photographer, I find capturing glimpses of creation can be wonderfully worshipful!
Jen
I would love to follow what you write about…and what you capture as a photographer.
I love the Ansel Adams quote. My family often rolls their eyes when I lay on the ground to capture the perfect shot from the perfect angle. But now I have a quote that explains why I do that :).
Yes, I think you should use that quote at will! I do the same.
I completely agree! I would say that I think music is the same way. At least it is for me. I have often found myself transfixed, stirred in heart and soul by a piece of music in a way that little else is able to do. Although sacred music certainly moves me in a very deep and powerful way, I have found that even secular music has the ability to move me in certain profound ways too. Visual art definitely has a similar effect on me. One of my favourite paintings is Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Something in the way the colours swirl and move reminds me of the words of Psalm 8 where the psalmist says, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” and I am awestruck by the majesty of God and the grandeur of His creation. Wonderful post!
I agree with music…which is my post for tomorrow (beauty in music). Probably more so than art, it has the ability to connect something deep in. I love the drawing of you to Psalm 8. Thank you for your words!
This was beautiful. I identify with so much of what you write. For me it’s art in many forms – visual, poetry, music, drama. ‘The beauty of something larger than myself, of amazing hope, swells up’. I know just what you mean 🙂 I’d never come across the Picasso quotation before and I will be treasuring it. Thank you.
Yes, all forms of art, connect with something deep in us. Grateful for you stopping by and for your words!
I feel the joy of the Lord bubbling in me when I’m creating.
Elizabeth, I love that image of bubbling up when creating. So true!!