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Just received confirmation that "The Way" was selected into the Oceanside Museum of Art's "Artist Alliance" exhibition February 7-May 11 at the OMA/ Herb B. Turner Gallery in Del Mar, Ca. Each artist who submitted was asked to send an accompanying description of the paintings which they entered. This is the description that I submitted with this painting.

The Way, 24x36, acrylic on linen

Many of the artist’s works, particularly in his “Living Waters” series, concern themselves with parallels between events in the natural world and those in the human sphere. Here a body of water rushes through a forest unimpeded, until it smashes into a boulder and caroms in another direction, down and around a tree that is struggling for its own survival, but still standing. The water flows onward, regardless of obstacles in its path, and the tree stands despite the forces tearing at its roots. For the artist, the painting is about the necessity of living in such a way as to adapt and stand against forces that would threaten basic existence. Brush movement and overall compositional design communicate this concept to the viewer in a practical though subconscious way:  the painting is composed of different directions and diagonals that suggest the conflict of opposing forces; complementary colors suggest opposites, or rivals; above it all, the living green foliage is hardy and thriving, suggesting a positive outcome.

Painting the landscape is not only inspirational for me, it is instructive.

I see in its rhythms, patterns, and happenings a model for my own life.

I believe that by closely observing nature, we can see God's plan for our very existence illustrated in natural events.

Take this scene, for example, of water rushing thirteen miles down Willow Creek from Yosemite National Park, toward its destination in Bass Lake. The way is not clear, occluded and obstructed by boulders, fallen trees, twists and turns.

In places the water blasts on, in others it moves more slowly, and in some events, that liquid speed crashes against those objects in its path.

It may cause one tp think about how water finds its way downhill: it doesn't resist an obstacle or challenge, it simply finds a new path.

This past month I received a commisssion for an artwork that was intended by the collector to be a vision of the "spiritual" in nature.

The collector's vision described how the light and the water in this landscape would be paramount. There was not to be as much concentration on the land, because the vantage point would be directing the viewer's eye toward the distance, and the heavens. An overall feeling of warmth would permeate the image, and would be dependent primarily on a yellow and orange palette.

This is how I see Creation as well: with the evidence of God's hand in it.

The Biblical Scripture that inspired this piece was Psalm 19: 1-6--

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Day to day pours forth speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of the world.

In them He has placed a tent for the sun, which is as a bridgroom coming out of his champer;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end of them; and there is nothing hidden from its heat."

Pines Park has always been a miraculous place for me. Located in Capistrano Beach, CA, which is a town with personality, Pines Park is the gathering place for lovers, dog lovers, nature lovers, and sunset lovers. Rolling hills of grass, clustered pine trees, lamps along the sidewalk and a playground make this park the perfect place for this community. It's the perfect vantage point to view the ocean, boasting a view of the Dana Point Harbor that is constantly changing in the various light. People come from miles around to see the sunsets from here.

Sometimes when you turn your back on the lawn, then turn back again, the grass is hugely populated by ground squirrels, like buffalo on the Dakota plains! They come out of the surrounding brush to see what new food folks have dropped on the ground.

I had recently purchased a "Take-It" easel, a continuation of the Gloucester-model easels used by New England painters throughout the 20th century. It is lovingly-made, of fine wood and brass fittings, but most importantly, it is a perfect design to hold larger paintings done outdoors.

Due to its wide base, it won't easily blow over. I took this easel to the park to paint a 24x36 of the park at sunset. I arrived late the first evening, and the sun was gone in an hour--I had just achieved a bit of a block-in.

I returned the second night, and the sun was going down into a blue fog-line that built up behind the hills surrounding the harbor.

The third night I went back earlier, to complete more details in the daylight, in advance of the sun's setting. This night there were con trails arcing across yellow and pink and violet clouds, all backed by the most lovely turquoise sky. Each evening episode was just as spectacular as the others, just spectacular in different ways. I edited and included elements from all three nights. Each evening I spoke to several passerby about the view and why I was painting it. Everyone seemed to be in agreement, that these miracles of nature made up an entirely worthy subject.

"Look up to the heavens and see, and behold the clouds which are higher than thou."  Job 35:5

Underlying this painting is my own conviction that we may see God's hand in all of Creation that surrounds us. Every natural scene, to me, is sending a message about God's power, creativity, design. We can view this painting, "Story in Stone" (18x36 in.) as a description of a rocky portion of the Point Lobos coastline near Big Sur, California. Or, as it is to me, this is an illustration of nature's capacity to inform us of God's glory.

The Scripture that inspired this piece concerns Christ's approach to Jerusalem in Luke 19:

"And as He was now approaching, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully for all the miracles which they had seen...

And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."

And He answered and said, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!"

2014 promises a lot.

And there will be challenges along with those promises.

It will be upon me to know what, and who, is most important in my life in order to be able to respond to both, appropriately, effectively, and with wisdom.

I believe that my true life is with the Lord, and does not depend on circumstances or human systems.

Considering that, I have just finished this painting, entitled "Sky Deep Mountains," a 24x30 acrylic on linen, inspired by this Scripture:

"Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Thy rightousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgments are like a great deep."

Psalm 36:5-6