The Wilderness Collection
The beginning of a new calendar year is a natural time to contemplate and study. So quieting my mind, being still and reflecting is where I found myself the first week of January 2021. The theme of ‘wilderness’ emerged in my heart. Wilderness is of course a place where ordinary life is suspended, identity shifts and new possibilities emerge. Feeling a need to create, the theme of ‘wilderness’ seemed to lend itself well to a series of collages.
I first explored what would be the creative process. The supplies were gathered: tube acrylics, acrylic inks, an old book, graphite, and paint markers. Experimenting with new medium and combining it in new ways is so invigorating! And using beautiful heavy weight pages from an old book immediately added visual interest to the art.
Wilderness can be a place of danger, temptation and chaos but also solitude, nourishment and revelation. Jesus tied his identity to the Israelites through his wilderness experiences. This mini-collection is a response to examining the scriptures that tell that story.
My process first involved layering and mark making as shown above. I was in essence creating new paper out of old.
Next step was studying the chosen passages to see what themes would percolate within me and resonate with me. I dove into Exodus 15:22-20:21 and Matthew 3:13-4:11. Manna, a serpent, water, rocks, and angels were the main symbols that became the focus of my time creating.
Exodus 16:32 says — Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’” This reinforces the importance of symbols that connect us to our faith. God’s miracles and mercies are to be remembered.
When applying wilderness to the world I know today I think of Haiti. I’ve been blessed to work with Haitian friends on seven different mission trips. You’re probably conjuring up images of this country that is known for its mountains beyond mountains (the word Haiti means land of high mountains). Are you also thinking about its location to the equator and how lush and fertile those mountain forests must be? Many people, when they hear the word wilderness, think of forests. Therefore, Haiti must be full of wilderness! Interestingly this was the case at one time but deforesting has depleted the mountains of many of their trees. The barrenness is maybe visually more like that of Biblical wilderness. It is dry, rocky, and often a challenge to traverse. What does this example mean to me metaphorically? The people of Haiti are some of the most joyful I have ever encountered despite their living in a wilderness. Why? How? The Haitians I have worked with are often weary but they go to the Lord living out Matthew 11:28-30 with their whole hearts.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
So, like the wilderness, this body of art is sparse in details but bold in symbols. It is soothing in its color palette. All of this combines as a visual statement of what I have learned about the vulnerable space of wilderness thus far. May the art be encouraging to you, may it be a visual meditation in your journey, or may the lines and shapes pull your imagination in your own personal direction. I look forward to your thoughts and feedback!
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