Beginning 2013

The new year always brings its challenges as I review the year before and make goals and plans for the year ahead.  I find January to be a month of more quiet reading, making journal and sketchbook entries and just looking at other artists' work which feeds my soul and makes preparation for the work of my hands that is incubating in my inner artist.

One of the books I've been reading besides The Artist's Rule that I mentioned in my previous post, is Haiku~the sacred art written by Margaret D. McGee.  There are so many quotes from this book I'd like to share, but for now, I'll share a paraphrase,  "A haiku honors the moment and passes it on."  

It's all about taking notice of the environment around me and pausing long enough to take it into my heart.   I think this mindset will be foremost in one series I'd like to do this year;  finding the essence of the moment and saying more with less.  I already have a moment I experienced last year which I'm working on as the first images of the series.  Who knows, maybe I'll even write some haiku.  Margaret says In haiku, it is the moment, not the poem, that really matters.  So I don't need to fear my proficiency in writing to try it.

Another part of the new year is my communication to you by way of my website and blog.  I have updated my website with images of the series:  Gold, Blue, Purple and Scarlet; a sanctuary.  Check out the menu link Galleries to view at www.phyllisthomasart.com   This work is still hanging at Manchester University but will be coming home in February.

I'll keep you up-to-date on my haiku art explorations and see what develops.

Always We Begin Again
Last year was so busy I neglected updating my blog in favor of being in the studio and making, packing and shipping art to shows.  I also read a book, The Artist's Rule:  nurturing your creative soul with monastic wisdom.   The title for this post is from that book that Christine Valters Paintner references from St. Benedict's Rule.  The assurance is that no matter what disappointments or unfulfilled goals are true for me, this year, this month, this day, hour and moment, always I begin again. . . .  

Though I usually rebel against rules, the thoughts expressed in the book actually gave me a lot of freedom to consider my inner artist and embrace my inner monk.  Though I've never lived in a monastery or been a monk, I identify with the contemplative temperament of that calling.  I have come to embrace my tendency toward contemplation and the need for stillness and quiet which enhances my artwork.  I have a fresh acceptance that my temperament is God-given and He delights in me.  

There is always a time, however, for moving out of the inward mode and back into the world. Last year was the year many opportunities opened for me to show my work in galleries outside my own locality. 

In September, White Stone Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, curated Unearthed and Revealed: ancient and contemporary discoveries.  This show references the unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls and illuminates the longevity, integrity and value of Scripture preserved under the earth. The Signatures in the Sand series, also included, was inspired by the neutral palette of sienna, black and grey sand that appeared briefly then washed away leaving impermanent brush strokes revealed on the shore at Flagler Beach, FL. I embraced their beauty and imagined them saying to me:  listen, simplify and appreciate the uniqueness of every moment in time. 

That show was held over and on December 3 was moved to Cairn University, Langhorne, PA, to grace the gallery where students and faculty from that institution could view the work. This  show hangs until end of January.

Concurrently, my Alma Mater, Manchester University, N. Manchester, IN hosted a combined show of three series of mixed media images titled, Visual Renderings of the Word. The artwork was hung alongside the display of sculptural crèche scenes from the university’s collection which complemented the Biblically inspired paintings and brought a spiritual presence on campus.

With these shows ending in January, and holidays passed, I begin again with new work. I've been in the studio since January 3, but am struggling with the work so far. When that happens I know I just have to keep painting and let it happen.  Perhaps going inward again in contemplation will bring  fresh inspiration and prepare me for the work yet to come in the new year.

Threads of Redemption: 

meditations on lent

My meditations for Lent this year started on Ash Wednesday and continued throughout the season with daily scripture reading and thoughtful research.  These images were responses to those meditations. I used thread and stitching in each image to unify the work as a meditative action bringing me back to the mending and healing of Christ’s death and resurrection. 

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—

holy and awesome is his name.  Psalm 111.9

(For complete reflections on these pieces, go to www.phyllisthomasart.com

 under Artist Reflections)

how much more
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching

Excerpt:  . . . as I pondered the questions about my own practices on my Lenten journey, I came to this conclusion: the Cross of Christ overshadows every outward sign of repentance meant to soothe my conscience. It is what is left when everything else is burned away. If I am hanging on to anything in my life as a traditional ritual practice hoping to come closer to God, it will fall short. A change of heart from the inside out and an awareness of what is essential summons me to cling to the One who dwells within. 

a pound of nard
30" x 30"
acrylic on paper mounted on canvas
with stitching

Excerpt:. . .though a fragrance is not seen visibly, I let myself imagine how it might look with the aroma filling the dark room.  I was curious about this intense ointment and found in my research it is only obtained from the Spikenard plant.  The plants, consisting of stalks and ribs of leaves were dried and bundled together and sold in the markets.  When the rhizome was crushed and distilled, the thick, amber-colored essential oil had a sweet, woody, spicy and musky aroma, sometimes overpowering to the senses.  It was and still is known as healing oil in some countries, reserved for deep-seated grief or pain and used in palliative care to help ease the transition from life to death,  though effects no cure.

    

why are you so far?
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching

Excerpt:. . .the sky dramatically darkened in the middle of the day as divine wrath fell on Christ.  He voluntarily sacrificed Himself for me.  To say this was easy is a lie.  This abandonment by the Father of His Son was excruciating, indicated by His crying out:  My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?!  He had never been abandoned by His Father before. His human soul departed and his body was left a limp and breathless mass of clay. . . 

Do you ever ask the question, “why”?    Sometimes I feel abandoned, unhelped, unheard and ask why am I sick?  Why is this delayed?  Why did you allow this tragedy?    Though I know God is sovereign and everything is under His control, I still sometimes wonder why He withholds an answer. 

this hour has come
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas with stitching and beads

Excerpt:. . . at first glance this piece may seem simplistic with familiar symbols and you may want to yawn. But I challenge you that it is quite a complex image. . . A significant part of this work is the bright light.  The sun in my physical universe is the source of biological life and it illuminates everything.  In my spiritual life it is comparable to God, the source of all truth and life. Dr. Timothy Keller says in The King’s Cross, if we are orbiting around anything else except the light of God, we are heading toward darkness and disintegration. 

 

Tide In,  30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

New Work Accepted
I received notice this week the painting shown to the left was accepted into the Gateway Center for the Arts Biennial Juried Exhibit titled "Odyssey".  The works are to depict journeys to, from and within Florida, to coincide with a September Exhibit.

The opening will be Sunday, March 4, 2012 from 2-4pm and closes on April 27, 2012.  

Scroll down to my entries  from April 15, 2011 and November 26, 2011 for inspirations and  reflections on this piece and its relevance to a place within Florida.

www.gatewaycenterforthearts.org

An Award of Merit

QumranEleven: unearthed evidence VII

acrylic on paper with stitching

20" x 9.5"

I was surprised and honored to have received an Award of Merit at the 7th Annual ArtistsRegistry. com members'  juried show in December.  There were about 100 works of art exhibited.  I have been included in and attended this opening reception for several years, but received my first award this year.  There is always new and innovative work from local Florida artists and the Gallery at Avalon Island is a beautiful space in the heart of Downtown Orlando.

Merry Christmas 2011

Gabriel’s Message,  6” x 4”, linoleum cut print

Luke 1:30-32

This year I have been studying angelic beings throughout Scripture.  They are the heavenly messengers,  guardians and worshippers of God appearing to man at numerous times beginning in Genesis and continuing to Revelation.  Very few books make no mention of angels.

 

The Christmas story includes the angel Gabriel appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds.  The message is the same:  do not be afraid.  Because of this repetition,  I settled on imaging the annunciation when Mary heard an unexpected message;  she  would become the mother of Jesus,  the Son of the Most High!  Though I’ve never seen an angel as Mary did,  I can imagine how troubling it must have been; how naturally fearful she was.

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In the present state of our nation and the world,  I can feel fearful, too.  I’m vulnerable to the chaos of unexpected natural disasters, financial insecurities, joblessness, threats of international terrorists, consumerism which teases me with unhealthy choices and other things.  Fear can creep into my thoughts. What ifs sometimes take over rational thinking.

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So the Christmas story brings hope to me:  God’s involvement with Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds  shows his concern for mankind and me. He has purposes for the world and will take action to ensure these purposes are carried out—including the gift of redemption through Jesus.

©copyright, phyllis thomas, 2011

Signatures on the Sand

Tide Out

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

I'm happy these pieces are now complete after many months of incubating in my creative mind and several weeks of coming to completion.  There are four canvases in this series based on the photos from a previous post on April 15, 2011.  After reading the reflection, please enjoy them all.

Reflection about this series:

My brain reaches a point of saturation overload and I have to stop to debrief and take a breath.  Flagler Beach is where my "soul catches up with my body"(1); the place I can walk the bare open sands and allow the "tides to erase all of yesterday's scribblings" as Anne Morrow Lindbergh writes in The Gift of the Sea (2)

My gifts were signatures of the sea on the neutral palette of sienna, black and grey sand which appeared briefly then washed away leaving me with a sense of awe.  I was so excited at what I'd found!  I was witnessing a one of a kind brushtroke that was impermanent; created by the rhythms of the seashore and never to be repeated.  My curiosity was aroused and I wondered what this language might say, where all these tiny bits of shells may have originated and what stories they would tell.

As I transferred the land art signatures onto my canvases in my studio I realized how powerfully simplistic they are.  The marks are grand yet fragile and say just enough to speak with authroity.  I embraced their beauty and imagined them saying to me:  listen, simplify and appreciate the uniqueness of every moment in time.

References: 

(1) Warren Wiersebe, God Isn't in a Hurry, p. 48; (2) Anne Morrow Lindbergh, The Gift of the Sea, p. 16; a Grain of Sand; nature's secret wonder, Dr. Gary Greenberg, photographer.  copyright, phyllis thomas, 2011

Tide In

30" 30", acrylic on canvas

In between Tides

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas

High Tide

30" x 30", acrylic on canvas