In the weeks before COVID-19 was present on my personal radar, I started a painting collection and I gave it the title JOYFUL.
The title came into my consciousness seemingly through a whisper. It was a persistent and unshakable whisper - one that wouldn’t let me contemplate alternate titles for this collection. It simply was to be JOYFUL. And although I didn’t understand why this word was important in this moment, I followed that voice.
As I planned, sketched and brushed each work into being, I spent time considering the meaning of the word joy and the ways each piece would represent that word. Joy is not flimsy or shallow. It is not contingent on situation or circumstance. Instead, it is a deeply rooted, strong and calm kind of cheer. I wanted each piece to feel strong and rooted. I wanted each work to bring a sense of cheer.
In my life, my faith is pivotal to my joy. Without Jesus, all happiness would be situational. (And, to be honest, just thinking about a life where happiness is based on my circumstances makes me feel anxious and panicky. How often could I feel happy at all?) Without faith, there is no rock of hope, stronghold of peace or balloon of joy.
One of the beautiful things about painting is the time it requires. Time to plan and pencil in. Time to mix colors and build foundation layers. Time for broad strokes and simply getting the color on the panel. Time for tiny details and touch ups.
My soul always longs for quiet and contemplation. And here it is. It’s one of the reasons painting is such a good fit for me. This time is my solace and my catharsis. As some people go to therapy, I go to my paintbrushes.
As I put in the hours to paint this collection, I contemplated joy, but I also contemplated strength. My guiding word for 2020 is STRONG. And it is often on my mind. I could feel that these words were connected - although one feels so buoyant and the other so grounded. And then, I found this verse:
The joy of the LORD is your strength.
-Nehemiah 8:10
Joy, strength, Jesus. It all came together.
And I thought this tidy little trio was the footing for this collection. I thought’d I’d had my big “aha moment” and found the reason that the word “joyful” had been continually placed on my heart.
I didn’t plan for there to be more. I didn’t anticipate the way our world would go so topsy-turvy as this new coronavirus swept over the world. I didn’t expect to be asked to LIVE OUT this connection between joy, strength and Jesus.
But here we are. Each of us living in ways that are outside of anything we have known before. None of us knowing how long this will last or in what ways our world will forever be changed. There is suffering and worry. There is uncertainty. And there is distance.
All of these things take a toll.
And I’ve felt it. Which is a change for me. Sure, I have my hiccups and my days that are easier or harder. But, I tend to live on a pretty flat line. Not a lot rattles me.
In all honesty, I think that “feeling it” is good for me. It helps me to be more empathetic and it helps me to feel more compassion.
This may not be what we wish for in the world - and yet, kindness and togetherness have united us and it is a beautiful thing. I see God’s word being leaned on more heavily and shared more often and I pray that there are people being brought to him and his salvation through the challenges and tragedies of this time.
And, overall, I have faith that He is in control. He did not bring on this suffering, but he can and will use it for the good of his people and for the good of his kingdom. And that is pure joy.
Joy - even in practice. Joy in the LORD.
The collection is made up of 18 pieces.
Three large wood panels, two small wood panels and four mini panels. Plus, eight pieces on pages torn from The Oxford Companion to English Literature.