In the beginning of the calendar year I made an artistic goal to practice faces in watercolor. This was a stretch for me as my comfort zone is creating art in fabric and I always shy away from representing the human figure. Thus I found a beautiful sketchbook made of paper recycled from discarded fibers from a t-shirt factory and established the ritual of one quick, portrait sketch at the beginning of each studio day.

My small group began studying the Lord’s Prayer and because of a vibrant conversation in that group I changed my daily request of God from “what is my purpose today” to “who am I being called to show your love to today.” As I continued painting, the process became a meditation for who I was being called to love.

Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church has an annual tradition of a Stations of the Cross Lenten Art Exhibit and I was invited to participate. The assigned station was number 7 - Jesus Bears the Cross. Contemplating the scripture John 19:6, 15-17 allowed me to thinking about the people I was painting in another way. We all bear crosses! And my art for the exhibit emerges daily, page by page.

You are invited to come and meditate on the 14 Stations of the Cross during Holy Week 2022 at Kirk in the Hills church in Bloomfield Hills, MI. With the theme of “Inward Journey Home,” all of the artist have expressed what “home” means to them as we journey toward the cross and resurrection this Lent. The theme also lends itself to raising up awareness surrounding the social issue of homelessness. So as I was wondering who I should show love to each day it now also was placed on my heart to love without judgement. I certainly don’t know what everyone’s burdens are! Whether the person was is my home, in my path of daily life, or someone homeless.

By the way! Why a sketchbook? I believe you’re never done learning. Practicing in a sketchbook equals artistic freedom as there is no pressure to create a masterpiece. Therefore, you will experience some of my images carried out better than others. My goal in this sketchbook was to try watercolor portraits in a loose expressive style.