Rising Sun

From darkness into light the sun increased in its splendor as it rose portraying a multitude of possible paintings that I tried to capture with my lens. Watching the rising sun reminded me of how Faith can increase from the shimmer of the grey morning to a sunburst over our land like that of our soul. It is also like a song of the morning that is sung to us daily sometimes with a full orchestra of colours while other times with a subtle glow that increases through the fog and then lifts it. May our Minds and Hearts be lifted up to God as the sun does over the horizon till it is no longer visible but encompasses the whole day and the whole being. Jane

A Purpose

I read today an insight that Saint Maximilian Kolbe wrote: " In fact to love ones work is also a divine act that resembles God's." This is what I am striving for in my art and at the new Gallery Space that I share with Joyful Noise Books and Gifts where books written by saints are sold and where my works hang to honour creation and hopefully give glory to God. Let us all strive to be saints - it is our calling. Jane

Open for Business

There is an uneasy feeling of opening a retail Gallery space: That of exposing my heart (which is in my work) to whoever passes by. But I have to reflect that our lord gave Himself as he passed by and I trust that He is with me still in this new venture and in this "work" that in itself is a way to Holiness. Yes it is not only the store front in Coquitlam that is open for Business but also my heart. May it be directed towards good. May you also receive an outpouring of blessings into your heart. Jane

Shoreline

In Cambria while painting on location, the vast ocean before me, I realized the way the waves wash over the shoreline bring a pristine sparkle like that of forgiveness to a soul. When we forgive the debris is taken away from our heart like that off the shore. Though a memory may be like an imprint in the sand it can be left for the vastness of God's Mercy to smooth over it and left to be swept away for good. This intimate time with the California Coast brought a surge of inspired paintings my way, some of which were accepted to be shown at Gallery 88 in Vancouver and for a new gallery space I will be opening in July. The ocean seemed to have brought an abundance to my shore. May God's love continue to wash over you also. Happy Summer, Jane

Fire For All

Fire is hot, it melts things and completely consumes what fuels it. Like the Holy Spirit that consumes our hearts, melting stubbornness and fear, blazing through rotten souls and consuming dead wood of selfishness, a fertile soil is born so to speak where new seeds of fruitfulness can grow - if we but allow it. The sparks of light that dance away into the air are like a song of joy, knowing God can do great things by sending the Fire of His Spirit to us. May it be a spiritually great one beyond our expectations. Jane.

New Beginnings

How after the death of a project, a relationship, a life do we go on. How after dying to desire does an artist start another painting. What process does it take. I believe it is not so much a process as a disposition of the heart: to believe in the fullness of oneself and that it is possible. Let this inspiration even catch you by surprise like those that came across the Lord on the way to Emmause and then returned. Like the day of the Lord's Resurrection on the first Easter which for those that witnessed it was scary and amazing I believe we can go to a new "canvas", though scary, confident in the graces of the Risen Christ to help us not only to overcome weaknesses but to bring us to a new level of love. May this Easter be a resurrection of forgiveness, love and rebirth in YOU! Happy Easter. Here is a new spiritual painting called "Looking Inside" that will be on display at the Burnaby Arts Council in May. From Jane