Road From Assisi

I was invited to paint during another Sunday morning service today at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Ventura, CA. Today’s theme was “Why the Bible” and the simple answer is because it provides a map to the road we are all on. So, I thought if the time I was in Assisi last year and this wonderful countryside road that lead from the hilltop city into where the fields. This is the same valley floor that San Francesco gathered his co-laborers to serve the poor and dejected, the lepers and homeless. It is there that the Franciscan order was developed and continues today.

So, here is the painting “Road from Assisi” that was created in about 70 minutes during the service today. Click the image to view it larger.

Road From Assisi - 48" x 48" Acrylic on Birch Panel

Click the image below for a short time-lapse view of the painting in progress.

Transformation III

With the pile of yarn now in place, you can see it coming together. I have also added a layer of cable-knit to the scarf that I am pleased with. I am going to attempt to add a knitting needle to the scarf to show that action of knitting.

I did try a glaze of ultramarine blue over the coppertone, but I hated it. It came out purple. I will have to find a new blue to use for this… one that is warmer.

I am thinking of taking the string from the pile, and tying it to the ankle or finger of the figure in the left

panel… as a “reminder” of sorts … or maybe it can be the outline of the BOX that he is in. I have not made that part of the Threshold painting yet (…the outline of the box, from the original DaVinci drawing) Maybe I will do it in red yarn, THEN tie it to a finger. hmmmm…

Transformation II

So I now have the second draft of this painting. I worked the background sufficiently enough that it matches “Threshold” now much better. I think I will have one more go at the background tomorrow after this dries. Then – when side by side, I will do a bit of painting on the both of them to make the lines and shades come even closer. As it is, the skys are looking nicely.

The most significant addition to date is the little spot over the shoulder of the sweater. Click the painting, and you will see in the background of the hills of Assisi, on the side of the hill is a little token to San Francesco painted into the trees … the little dilapidated church of San Damiano, just a mile outside of Assisi – the church that HE rebuilt. A fitting tribute to him, and to my hope that the re-making of the Church today will include a higher value of serving God through justice and mercy and reconciliation of the outcast and outsiders.

So, My family loves the unpainted sheen of the copper-gilded frame. My question to you is should I make this one match the red-orange glaze painted on Threshold, or leave this one as-is? I am actually thinking of putting a blue glaze over it to contrast the first. Leave your comments below.

Passages

In some ways, my recent trip to Assisi was a passage into a new realm… a new reality for me. A realm that allowed me to be far away from all of the things that collect my attention. Passages are like thresholds in that it is what you pass over or go through to get past where you have been. Another way to look at it is like being on the edge of the ocean. While standing on the shoreline, you can see the land where you are, yet look out to the distant horizon and visualize all the potential that is unseen… all of the possibilities. We are often too busy doing the things of life that we never go to the shore, or take the time to open the door that is right in front of us. We get distracted by all of the things that one author calls the “Tyranny of the Urgent” which pulls at you from all directions… like Saint Anthony being tormented by Demons we give attention to the thing that is pulling at your attention the hardest at the moment. While having my own demons to wrestle with during my trip away, I was able to take the time needed to rest, and meditate and ponder my existence and wrestle with these angels and demons. I hope that I have returned with a clearer view of who I am and the life God has layed before me. There is still a lot of work to be done ahead, but moving forward, I plan to take more of these retreats to reflect on the goodness of God and take long walks along the seashore to meditate on the wonderful life I DO have, not be distracted by what is “missing” in my life. We all have so much!

So going with the “passage” theme, Here are some images of doors that I took while in Rome and Assisi. If anyone knows a good “passage” themed poem, feel free to post it in the comments section below. For now I insert a portion of a “Blessing for the Traveler” by John O’Donohue…

When you travel
A new silence goes with you,
And if you listen,
You will hear what your heart
Would love to say.

May you travel in an awakened way,
Gathered wisely into your inner ground;
That you may not waste the invitations
Which wait along the way to transform you.

May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,
And live your time to its fullest;
Return home more enriched, and free
To balance the gift of days which call you.

Assisi IS AMAZING…

Here are a few of my over 400 photos that I took while in Assisi. What can I say. Nothing, just look and pause, then leave a comment below if you wish… Feel free to take any of these if it pleases you. ~Peace, Rich