The Door is Open

This picture is a reflection on the longing for safety, a shelter from the raging storms and for a place of belonging. It responds in a positive way to this longing - trusting in a way ahead and that it will let itself be found.The simple shelter offers a welcoming place for those who will come, the door is open and light shines from within as an invitation and a sign of hope.

See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

Revelation 3:8 HCSB 

For over all, his glory will be shelter and protection:

    shade from the parching heat of day,

 refuge and cover from storm and rain. 

Isaiah 4:6 NARBE

You are my hiding place;

You protect me from trouble.

You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance.

Psalm 32:7 HCSB

Change

After a number of years I have come back to a lake in the woodlands that inspired my original Soft Pastel drawing Water Lily.
My visit to this beautiful place has prompted me to re-visit this inspiration.
Even though some of the beautiful water lilies are still in blossom the surrounding forest is very clearly reflecting the change of season and I have tried to captivate this change in structure and the more gentle colour spectrum of autumn.

Autumn Lily

Since my childhood I have been fascinated by ponds or small rivers in the forest. I guess the Grimm's brother are at least partially responsible for this fascination. In their lore ponds are portals to the 'other world' were the stork picks up babies for delivery and gates through which heroines pass on their glorious quests. My imagination ran wild ...
Even today, whenever I encounter a body of water in the woodlands on one of my walks I sense something mystical - a place were the veil is thin in the structure of time and space. This memory of my childhood has never quite left me. And the quest that belongs with it, to find the place were my soul sings, remembering its true source and wellspring.

Water Lily Pond

Jesus says: "Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures."

Gospel of John, chapter 10 verse 9 NLT

Wings

Long have I had in mind to create a drawing trying to catch some of my manifold associations surrounding the  imagery of wings.

Wings can belong to messengers from a different world. They bring along a breath of this other, a glimpse of what may be, bring a sense of curiosity and childlike wonder. 

Again the feather represents the aspect of time. Caught in the moment as well as showing the slow but unstoppable movement from heaven to earth.

On a more personal note I wanted to let you know that I am currently re-locating. I will try to keep theblog and website up to date, however there may be some hiccups and delays for which I wanted toapologize in advance.

The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

"Holy, holy, holy 

is the Lord God Almighty

who was and is and is to come!"

Book of Revelation 4:8 NKJV

Tree of Life

This digital picture was created based on my soft pastel drawing from 2012.
The original was inspired by Teresa of Avila's saying that our soul is like a beautiful tree planted in living water. In this new version I have tried to express how we relate and connect to each other using the same symbol and how this connectedness is nourished and enabled by the light that shines in us. The light that lets us live and laugh, have compassion with each other, cry with each other and share who we truly are in so many ways. I guess I am seeking for a creative expression of what defines us in our humanity - and I believe a lot of it is just that - that we can resonate with each other spark each other and in doing so be more abundantly alive.








Please also have a look at my new website. It is till in the making as you will see, however the image gallery is much better than the one I had on this blog, please have a look at it! There is also a permanent link to the website in the sidebar for you to use.

Wind Dancer

 

This picture is full of the colourful, bold and exuberant joy that the abandon to the creative spark in us brings - the dance being one of the many, many ways this spark is fanned into a flame. I chose the title Wind Dancer because the wind will go where it will and even a gentle breeze can be strong and compelling fanning the smallest spark into a bright flame. It is the ever changing flow, the freshness, the unpredictability and even audacity that fascinates me.

Looking at the finished work I discovered, much to my surprise, that strongly reminds me of a friend of mine. It's really that I have seen and experienced in her a lot of what this picture expresses. Sarah - this is for you!

You make Your messengers like the winds;

the breeze whispers Your words,

Your servants are like the fire and flame. 

Psalms 104:4

The Voice

He was dancing before the Lord with all his strength.

2. Samuel 6:14 NLV

Song of the Bride

This is one of my rare digital media works. It is based on my earlier Soft Pastel drawing 'Torch Bringer'. The special effects have been achieved with GIMP which I find to be a brilliant tool and great fun to work with. 

This image is based on a close up of the bride as she is found in the original picture. It seeks to give a stronger expression to the flow of her longing. As she draws closer to her bridegroom something new and fresh springs from the depth of her being like a new song - the song of the bride.

Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;

All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And His song will be with me in the night,

A prayer to the God of my life. 

Psalms 42:6,7 NASV

Season of Change

There is this feeling of change in the air, a change of colours and a change of the light. Its an early autumn, so they say.  So I set out to catch this season of change.

The picture you see here - Feather Fall - is based on the special flavour of the Quantock Hills area in Somerset, its unusual colours and beautiful rolling hills. 

One of the things that have come to my mind as I worked on this picture is that change sometimes happens like the fall of a feather - as light and soft - but come it will. And it comes with all the challenges and opportunities that changes bring. With the falling feather the expression of the drawing transitioned. What had been an idyllic landscape displaying summer turning to fall developed a different dynamic. It now holds the movement of the feather in time - the unfolding change. 

During the flow of my work the appearance of the falling feather brought a sense of expectancy to me. The promise that there is the One who will walk by my side through all the seasons of my live, through all the changes. In the flow of change there is one safe haven - knowing Him - Jesus.

To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1, GNV

He will cover you with his hand and 
under his wings you will find refuge.
His Truth is your shield and armour.

Psalm 91:4, GW 

~ Feather Fall - detail ~