Pastel

It caught my eye when I saw it advertised, and I pushed it aside and then a few weeks later again it came to mind, but it was not until the third nudge that I made my reservation. I was curious, it was only a two day course and I knew nothing about the medium of pastels so I thought why not...and reserved my spot. There were about 15 ladies in the class and Denise Mahlke, the teacher was a soft spoken, laid back, talented and patient artist who was trained in mediums that ranged from pastels to oils, but pastels seemed to be her targeted passion. Her works are represented in galleries in Utah, Arizona, South Carolina and in Fredricksbugh, Texas, and the ones that she brought to class for our up close and personal evaluation were truly beautiful. The classes were from 9 till 3 and much of it was demonstration and explanation to us beginners, followed by hands on experience. By days end, I did learn that I was not an artist, but on the otherhand, to my surprise, I learned a great deal about the mechanics and steps that are drafted in order to master the fine art of a professional, fine tuned work of art.

There is a vocabulary that is used in the art world that I surprisingly was able to immediately incorporate in my Christian writing world. And upon further contemplation, I think some of these ideas, and thoughts and strains of defined truths relate to any of our everyday worlds.

The following are some of the terms that were touched upon through demonstration and explanation:
1) Point of center - often referred to as focal point
2) Values - color families - colors with the same intensity, top of a work tends to be the lightest...then following are three other densities: medium light, medium dark and dark
3) Grids - separation of space for a better understanding of how to negotiate the subject matter onto the canvas
4) Curves and angles - curves make things look further away, while linear marks have the ability to define and bring things closer
5) Perspective - what do you see and how do you see it and how do you want to communicate it

Don't we all work around our center of point. Our priorities, our focus for that day or a particular situation, or a relationship. We key on how to place that in our landscape of life so that it stands out and catches our eye of attention and then we work around it. It could be anything form our kids or our grandkids to our dreams and desires. But what we seem to often times do is put God in the background rather than our focal point. The way I perceive it is (not necessarily live according to this perception) f we are to enjoy life and be at peace no matter what the situations are that are before us, God has to be the center point of our daily drawing, or we lose the essence of His original masterpiece though us.

Values, when we hear that word we often think of character. But what was strangely illusive to me is that the lightest value in a masterpiece begins at the top and filter down. God is our brightest value and it is through his light that he filters down his glory to us. The darkest value reference in a piece of art has the least reflection of light. We have all been there in that darkness at one time or another. But I have found that when the darkness hovers, unlike an inademant subject matter, we can seek God's light and be lifted out of our darkness. God is subtle in his ways yet his value is a constant light of glory.

Grids! We seldom take the time to try to separate life into categories. We allow the responsibilities, obligations, requests, relationships and schedules to all run together and tend to get overwhelmed.
Just one step at a time. Oh I know we have to juggle life and its many aspects, but sometimes it is good to just really concentrate on one part at a time, trusting God, seeking his direction and relying on his way of working it into His whole vision for our lives.

Curves and Angles! Funny about how the shape of a line can define the distance of a subject but it was true, for we saw it in Denise's demonstration. We are thrown curves and we also are hit head on with direct challenges. But with each curve and angle we are thrown, God has a defined purpose. It is sometimes hard to see when we are up close but haven't you found that when you are a little removed from a situation you are sometimes able to see how just a little defined line or curve here and there can make a world of difference and you are able to see the picture becomes clearer.

And lastly, perspective. The more I learned, the more I understood and appreciated the fine tuning that a seasoned professional artist has submitted to. It has taken years of practice, and yearning to learn, and a passion for the craft they have chosen. Just in that couple of days, I have learned to appreciation the values of a piece, and have understood the relativity of dark and light, and grids, and curves and bold lines but my greatest lesson was the point of center. That is the eye catching place that is targeted by the artist. It is the place that brings you in to the piece, that captures your soul when you study it. Isn't that God's greatest goal for all of us. To be our center point, to be our focal point so that as we live our lives loving God, seeking his will, and obeying his commands, we will realize that the rest that of our world is to be the compliment to God who has caught our eye and captured our soul.

The art of pastels is a layering process, one color upon another. So is life. It is about colors, lines, and shapes and shadows. So is life. Art, in its many forms is the ability to capture and communicate what and how one sees and perceives something into tangible form. Our everyday lives are the tangible forms that God is using to display what he sees and what he perceives and how he works. I am clearly not an artist who can draw or paint but I am a piece of work, so to speak, that God has begun creating for his purposes, and so are each of you. We each are God's masterpieces, not yet completed but as each day passes, God carefully strokes the canvas of our lives according to his ultimate vision for his purposes and our best. We may have different perspectives, and different opinions but each of us has been put on this earth to glorify God and enjoy him forever. Have you ever considered that you are a vital part of God's walking museum? Well, we are, each of us. Consider that when you go out for your day.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Dear Lord, Thank you for helping me to see you in yet another venue.
May I learn to consider more carefully the center point that I choose for my pictured landscape of this day, and may I always seek your light to shine on my darkness. Amen

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Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!