It’s Bluebonnet Season in Texas! And that means plein air painters are traveling the back roads, looking for the perfect scene to paint their annual bluebonnet painting! I haven’t found a field of bluebonnets in a good location yet. But the close up studies have been really fun. And from that, painting the larger 20×20 reminded me of painting hydrangeas in Georgia! (Some of my GA friends may recognize the same style.)
Those of us in Central Texas are glad to see the bluebonnets blooming! It’s another sign that spring is here – new life, longer days, sunshine and brighter colors!
If you’ve got the winter blues, maybe a bluebonnet painting would take care of that:
8×10 6×8 8×10 on paper 8×10 on paper9×12 on canvas
…or a walk through the bluebonnets…that’s a sure cure for the blues, too! Happy Spring!
Spring comes each year. It might be a “good spring” or a “dry spring” or a “windy spring.” But it comes around each year. Spring of 2020 will go down as the strangest spring many of us have ever had! Some of us may even ask, “Was it spring?” as the Coronavirus passes by.
When we moved to Red Gate Road, I thought it seemed so far from Waco – about a 30 minute drive whenever I wanted to go in for shopping, or restaurants, or art shows, or church, or meetings. But with Coronavirus days and Shelter in Place orders, I have realized being in the country has distinct advantages. And for this, I am grateful.
As I painted this one, I thought about the solitude and shelter of the road on which we live. I thought about the curve at the end, where one must slow and look for oncoming traffic. I thought about the light breaking through clouds on days when I need the sun. And I thought about the beauty of the flowers and the birds of the air. And it made me think of Matthew 6 in the Bible. (gonna cut and paste it below because, let’s be real – neither you nor I have it all memorized.)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:25-34 New International Version (NIV)
Hmmm. Thanks be to God. I needed that reminder. Did you?
I’ve been watching the water level in the pond get lower and lower with the summer heat. The edges now show yellowed grasses that were once rooted deeply in the water. The fish fins pop up and I wonder if they are getting crowded as the water shrinks in August weather.
This morning I woke before sunrise and went out on the porch to drink coffee. I studied colors as I watched the peachy pink sky become lined with lavender and explode into orange, as the bright ball of sun said, “I’m back! And ready to heat things up and soak up all the moisture I can find!”
It’s been a while since I had an opportunity to paint outside. I’ve been working on a commission, (which is a great plan for days when air conditioned studios are preferred.) But I was missing my interaction with nature and my communication with the Creator, as painting outside is my favorite form of worship.
I knew if I only drank one cup of coffee and grabbed my paint gear, I could get out there before the heat became miserable. But I sat and stared. I was running low, as low as that water level dipping below the reeds. My mind had been overloaded with this thing we call life; too much going on, too many decisions to make, too much noise and too many interruptions. Can you identify? I needed to be alone with God and paint, to see the things He wants me to see, both visual and spiritual. So I picked up my backpack and easel and drove to the other side of the pond.
I saw the beauty of the water’s edge, the light and shadow in the surroundings, the cool yellows of morning light, and the white and purple blooms of the wildflowers produced by the August heat. And I began to feel reassured that I’m surrounded and supported by God’s love and goodness, His direction and provision. Thus, my spirit soared and was renewed.
By 9:30 a.m. the sun had made its way over me and pushed me indoors. I packed up as I chuckled about the irony of someone naming an August wildflower “Snow on the Prairie,” despite the August heat! It must have been due to wishful thinking.
Here’s to the days we are “running low” and praying for the desire to overcome it. My wishful thinking has something to do with hoping my energy level will rise.
Isaiah 40:31 says “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings of eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”
Oh yes! I am hanging on to that. Maybe you needed to hear that, too.
Though it’s getting too hot on August 1 to paint outside in Central Texas, I was out early today to catch the soft lavender hues being awakened by the morning sun. It was good to be painting in this place once more, after being away a few weeks. The wind was gentle, the colors were softened and beginning to fade from the summer heat. And yet, another wildflower was making its debut on the hillside, sprinkling a bluish lavender that reminded me of bluebonnet season. I’m calling it a “wild petunia” until someone corrects me.
What kind of flower is this?
So, I observed and painted, enjoyed the gentle breeze, and listened to birds and cows, until about 9:00 a.m. when the sun began burning the back of my legs and arms. It was a signal even stronger than the chime of my cell phone, telling me it was time to move indoors. But for the moment, I had been “Graced by Wild Petunias” and the beauty of another day.
Take a minute to listen to this song. Our FBC Waco Choir has been practicing this one for a few weeks. The song continues to play in my head. And it showed up there today as the soundtrack for my morning plein air session.
Surrounded by God’s Love 9×12 Oil
What a beautiful morning it was! Full of light, and shadows, and gorgeous colors. I painted TWO 9 x 12 scenes and only came inside because the mid day light began washing out values to faded tones.
“O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee. I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow, may richer, fuller be… ”
—O Love, Music by Elaine Hagenberg Text by George Matheson
Her tune and arrangement of music soothes my heart and moves me to tears! Click on the video and listen,… really!
Sheltered Underneath 9×12 Oil
After I painted the first panel, I turned and this shade caught my eye. The strong, full tree was providing shade, and sheltering the beebalm and firewheels that are left in bloom. I continued to feel the protection of God’s spirit, as I painted and worshipped with gratitude.
The words by George Matheson continue:
“O Joy, that seeks me through the pain. I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be…”
This may be one of those times “you just had to be there.” And I was. And God was. And also, the random deer was! The one that pranced by in the midst of it all! I love mornings like this!
