I was living a hectic stretch in my life when I painted this one. I was frequently traveling on business, and I found I could pack some simple canvas boards, acrylic paints, paintbrushes and a small palette in my travel suitcase. I often used hotel ice buckets for my water reservoir. This still life framed in a crisscrossing array of colors and patterns captures a slice of the life of a father, husband, traveling IT specialist, and artist. I have tenaciously held onto my dream of being an artist. The still life of flowers is a steady state image. It represents the part of virtually every father who wakes up, goes to work and does his job faithfully, pays his bills, and does his duty to attend church, sacrifice for his wife and children, and does what is right by them even if it hurts. The chaos around that flowery still life is emblematic of the competing forces that can drive a man in crooked directions. I praise God Almighty I am saved by the mercy and grace of Christ's sacrifice and have all my sins forgiven. Unfortunately, we live in an evil and corrupt world, and I am still tempted by the deceiver, the accuser, the slanderer 'Diabolas'.
I am pleased to report I have earnestly sought through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with God. Psalm 1: 1-3 says "1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law, he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." So here I have gone from a deep dive about the image to offering you an eleventh step cup to enjoy your coffee or tea and consider His mercy, and grace along with a plea to consider reading the Bible and meditate on its majesty. Just one more thing - the mug is dishwasher safe.
