oil on canvas
48" x 36"
May 2005
[COMMISSIONED]
The subject matter for this painting comes from some photos I took of Lake Michigan, but the meaning behind it is much deeper. This painting is about INNER PEACE.
From the very start, I knew the painting would be called “be still.” It was commissioned to hang in the terminal of the Lake Express high-speed ferry, so I wanted it to be something that would calm the nerves of the harried traveler. Something that would simply cause them to relax as they were about to embark (or return) from their travels.
The odd thing is though, as the painting progressed it began to take on a rather stormy feel. If you are familiar with my work, you’ll know that this is very unusual for me. I live for warm, blue-skied sunshiny days, so of course that is what I choose to paint. My paintings need to cheer me up during the long, gray and gloomy Wisconsin winters that I dread, so I always try to capture a feeling of the best weather possible. So why would I ever paint a scene that looks like a storm is on its way?
I had every intention of “fixing” this painting by making it more sunny — until something dawned on me. Anyone can relax, and enjoy life when things are going well. That is a no-brainer. That requires no help. It’s when the storms of life start to brew and then roll on in to soak your plans, that PEACE is obviously harder to find, much less maintain. When life takes an unexpected turn, you need to find a source of peace all the more.
I’ve found peace during the turbulent times of my life through my relationship with God. There is a verse in the bible that says “Be still and know that I am God.” I think what it means is that no matter what happens around you, you can make a choice to rest in the fact that God is in control. He does always have my best interests in mind, so whether I like what is happening at the present moment or not, I can find peace in knowing that the God of the universe is well aware of my circumstances and will most likely use them for good in ways that I could have never imagined at the time.
When I have chosen to be still and simply trust in the fact that God is in control, I’ve always experienced a peace (which surpasses all human understanding) that has sustained me during my times of greatest sorrow, stress, or simply painful circumstances.
So even though I would never choose to subject myself to stormy weather, it’s during those hard times that God has always proven Himself to be my biggest comforter and most trustworthy friend. It’s this history that He and I have together that assures me that He is oh-so-real, and that He will always be there for me no matter what happens. This is where I gain my INNER PEACE.
“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” — Psalm 46: 1-3,10-11
[ The painting called "be still" can now be viewed in person, along the shores of Milwaukee's lakefront, as it is part of the Lake Express high speed ferry's permanent collection of paintings. http://www.lake-epress.com ]
