Making Art on Tuesdays

Some of the children's art from my Tuesday class this term. Grades 1-4.

Malchus: an encounter with grace.

In Leviticus 14:14, instructions are given for the cleansing of those suffering leprosy; they are to be anointed on their right ear lobe (and right hand and foot), with the blood of a spotless lamb. Earlier in Leviticus (8:23) Moses also anoints Aaron for priestly ministry with the blood of a ram on his right ear.

Amidst all this gory detail, I am continually drawn to the powerful imagery of Leviticus. I sketched a right ear lobe in my journal many years ago, pondering what it meant that an ear be anointed. Surely, this speaks about the necessity of listening and truly hearing?

The right ear appears again in Luke (22:47-53). Malchus, a servant of the High Priest is sent with a band of others to arrest Jesus. He is employed (or perhaps even coerced?) to do the dirty work of the Jewish leaders.

When Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss Malchus and the band of men move forward to grab and bind Jesus. One of the disciples asks "Lord, should we strike with the sword?", but before he has time to answer, Simon-Peter, loyal but impetuous, strikes out in Jesus’ defence, cutting off the right ear of the man closest- Malchus.

Jesus rebukes the use of violence against the very people who are about to send him to a violent death. As a powerful sign he picks up the severed, bloody ear, and brings healing to Malchus with a gentle touch to his right lobe.

Healing comes through the spotless lamb, ready for the slaughter.

I imagine Malchus stepping back from the commotion.
Touching his re-created ear.
Taking in the unfolding scene with a new perspective.
Looking across at the man who healed and anointed him.
Listening intently.

 

*This was my contribution to a Lent devotional booklet put together by GCBC around the theme of Encounters on the Way to the Cross: Losing our Lives to Find Them. PDF booklet available for download online. Also listen to and download beautiful songs which were written by others as part of their reflection on the theme.

farmers market fresh

I visited the Northey St Organic Market (a few weeks ago now) and came home with some goodies: chocolate mint, a fennel bulb, rhubarb, apples, beautiful bright zinnias (some raw milk and two big blocks of beeswax to make my own candles!). After a few days in water the mint had enough roots to plant out. I dried the rest to make some chocolate mint tea. Mmmm.

The photos to match the sketches

It's September the 8th! Wowsers! I think I am going to use lots of exclamation marks. I feel like I need them! Vancouvers delightful summer has come and gone. Well not quite gone, if it is anything like last year then Septmeber will be a beautiful 'Indian Summer'. The days however, are certainly getting shorter, I've caught some sneaky leaves falling, children have gone back to school this week, AND we have a baby arriving this month. Big change is in the air and I'm excited about this new season in so many ways. In reflection on the loveliness of summer's abundance, and in preparation for change, I've been meaning for a long time to post photos, before they get forgotten on my over crowded hard drive. I hope to have lots more up over the next few days.

Sunday afternoon sunshine sketches

Josh and I haven't had a Sunday at home together in a loooong time. I felt like we NEEDED to be outside on such a beautiful day, but Josh had a big week and didn't feel like going far. So we compromised on a backyard picnic. We ate good food. He read and I drew and painted. Must do this again soon.

Laundromat sketches

Ok so only the top one was actually from the laundromat this Saturday but I found the others in my sketchbook from over the summer. The "Washing Well" as it's called down the road (as we don't have a laundry facility at our new place) fluctuates in my mind from being a really novel and exciting local hang-out, to a massive drag (lugging 2 large baskets down our slippery stairs (landing flat on my bum), walking in the pouring rain etc... you get the idea). I'm going to make a point of enjoying this time though. Cup of tea, sea salt chocolate and a sketchbook should help...!

I love bears!

On one of my first teaching pracs I had a year one class with a boy who was absolutely nuts about bears - grizzly bears, black bears, polar bears, he was a 6 year-old-expert on everything to do with bears. I now understand why. Having seen some up close I am now absolutely in awe of these amazing creatures which on the one hand are so beautiful and sweet - this fellow was very relaxed making his way through the dandelions and feasting on flowers as he went - and also absolutely frightening. I am really looking forward to starting teaching again in September and to being surrounded by inspiring children who are in awe of the world and creation.

banner troubles

I am mucking around with my banner and can't seem to get it right. (I'll stick with this hand written one for a bit and see how it sits). After seeing it a few times I realised my previous one which lasted about a week is a little babyish, and the one following it looks too dark. I do like those ink stains though, from my days cleaning ink pots with Raw Art.

I think it is the simplicity of the white backgounds and simple text which I like. They don't draw attention away from photographs and drawings. I wonder whether I should change it from my name (which looks funny repeated over and over again), but I do love my name and it saves having to come up with a silly punny title. The following are some of my experiments which never made the cut. The first is my original from when I started the blog. I think this is certainly an example of simple is best and sometimes first draft is best!

Fauna... oops I mean Flora

I really struggled with how to capture the white blossoms in waterCOLOURS (or should i be saying colors now...) so I much prefer the grey drawings, it's always fun experimenting though.

Types of Snow Diagram

Sketches on Saturday

I love the woods

Yesterday we walked through the woods on the way to Deep Cove. We sat in Honies Cafe with a coffee and a fresh, fat, doughy on the inside and crispy, crunchy, honey outside doughnut. I drew, Josh read.