I did not have a lesson planned for the night. I had a long day where nothing seemed to go my way. I was going to blow off going to the shelter. I was tired, almost out of gasoline, and had no idea what activity I would bring the women. But there was something that pulled me there that night. I decided to show up with tempera paints, sponges, and large sheets of white paper for the women to paint anything they chose. I share with you some of their work. A true testimony on how the arts presents itself to the needs of the soul.
“A woman without a friend”
I don’t really have any friends. I am sad about it but not afraid. I find it kind of interesting really. I never let anyone in my life. This painting is about what it’s like to be me. There is a heart with love trying to get into it but it won’t pierce through. There is a symbol that I created in the corner that stands for contempt. I say that because I disrespect love.
“Homecoming”
This painting is about going home. In it my daughter and me are running home as fast as we can. The sun is smiling on us saying “welcome home!”.
“Life’s paths”
My painting is a map of my life. There are roads I have traveled and stumbling blocks. Some roads are dead ends. There are nightclubs where I would dance with sly moves and other places I shouldn’t be in. But now I am on a path that leads to a beautiful forest. I think it is perfect how God spaces the trees apart and decides where
the ponds go. When things get crazy here and people are yelling at each other I think of sleeping between tress by water. The world is as beautiful as you can imagine it
to be.”
“Angels in the outfield”
