how it all started
Five years after I had come back to art after a hiatus
of 20 years, it seemed a happy accident occurred. In reality it was a
divine intervention that had the effect of an earthquake. The first shockwave
occurred when I was experimenting with mixed media. I was painting a background
with acrylic paint for a big collage of leaves on a canvas. Since I had
painted watercolors in the past, this was my first canvas ever! Strangely,
when people saw it, they became excited, saying it was not a background
but a painting and I should not change anything. I did not know what to
think about it.
My surprise grew when my husband, who does not like abstract art, could not stop giving his interpretations to our friends. I titled this painting "Genesis" because I believe that God guided my brush in portraying the hands of God creating, and because this "background" catapulted me in a new way of art making.
Well known artists, such as van Gogh, Picasso and Mondriaan made a gradual transformation in their art. But now my friendly soft watercolors shifted from one day to the next into a forceful brush stroke in a minimal, semi-abstract, more expressionistic than impressionistic style with oil medium.
Then a second shockwave in my art life took place. What happened with the so-called background must somehow have rewired my brain. The next thing I know is that I am buying a few tubes of oil paint, oil brushes, and a 24" x 30" canvas. Why? I have never been able to figure that out. I did not have a dream, or see a vision. I did not hear a voice. I was not particularly drawn to painting an oil myself, or have "a feeling." I just did it.
This is when I painted "A Strong Rushing Wind." Analyzing after the fact, I think I started on top with a mix of Burnt Sienna and Van Dyke Brown to symbolize the earth and earthly thinking. What came to me next is that I wanted to paint a force (the Holy Spirit) coming from above and touching the earth. I see the Holy Spirit as strong as well as pure (white). Previously unseen, He revealed Himself at that time to man. That revelation is symbolized by the blue edge. The rest happened in a flash. The whole scene was painted with big, forceful strokes.
I couldn't be more excited because in the past I never knew "how to" represent this event where the Holy Spirit appeared as tongues on the heads of the people (Acts 2) without becoming representational or sentimental in my approach.
One happy incident is easy to "explain" or rationalize, but two happy incidents became harder to simply ascribe it to "luck." This was a little but much for a rational psychologist, but even to me it was obvious that some supernatural things were happening with my paintings. And they have happened ever since at different times and in different ways.
How To Make Sense Of It: For Artists
How Does One Paint Supernatural Subjects?
In depicting supernatural subjects an artist uses two skills. The first one being the artistic skill or art making, such as painting, dancing, or making music. The second skill takes some explaining. Since we do not only have a natural (biological) father, but also a supernatural father (God), parts of us are naturally inclined, and other part are supernaturally inclined.
How Do I Get To Know My Supernatural Parts Better?
Since our supernatural parts come from God, the answer to that question is to get to know God more intimately. The relation we develop with Him translates in our skill to paint supernatural subjects.
How Do I Develop My Supernatural Skills?
I discovered that the more time I spend with God, the
easier (not quicker!) the ideas or supernatural objects come, and the
more the paintings flow. I spend more time in talking and making music
to God (prayer and music) than actual painting. I investigate and research
about what he has done in the past, and in the present (the Bible and
other books).
There is no shortcut to a relationship. It takes time.
Your skill to paint supernatural subjects may come slowly in the beginning,
but there will also be breakthrough.
Go for it - practice, practice, practice - Run the race.
