Blanchard Springs – the Art

Blessed again to escape the studio a couple of weeks ago, I accompanied my husband to Blanchard Spring(s) in northern Arkansas. The drizzly, overcast day aided my husband’s photographic endeavors, but the weather was disappointing to me. It has been a long winter, and I crave spring, as is evident from the dreary colors in my watercolor sketch.

I was painting far away from the “main attraction”, but I set up along the path. An artist who creates out in the world – especially around a popular destination – expects that curious people will appear. My experience this day was unique: a woman offered to help me set up my easel; each of the dozen or so curious passersby asked permission to approach. No one failed to offer me encouragement, and my spirit was warmed – instant spring.

Blanchard Springs – the Creation

I lived in Arkansas once, and I had forgotten how lovely the people are there. They are generous with their smiles and open-hearted in their efforts to help others. There are no strangers in this beautiful state. The further south one travels in the Heartland, the closer one comes to knowing the kind of ministry that I believe Jesus had in mind for us when He left. It’s found in no particular church, but in the care taken with our fellow brothers and sisters.

Blanchard Springs – the Connection

It’s easy for me to get caught up in the audacious beauty of nature, or to immerse myself in trying to find the best way to communicate my interpretation of what I see. However, prior to concerning myself with the earth, I must remember to value God’s best creation – my fellow humans.

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:17

Trunk with Mill – the Art

Some artists visit picturesque sites to capture the recognizable beauty found there. I try to capture the beauty found in the less obvious features of a scene. Dozens of people visited Alley Spring Mill while I painted en plein air; they took photos of the mill and one another. As you can see, I used a full spectrum palette to bring attention to the knothole on a sycamore in front of the mill. Initially amused, passers by stopped to view my work. Upon closer inspection, they were able to discover the very knothole that I was interpreting. I could sense that most had an “Aha” moment as my abstract painting challenged their perspective and they gained an appreciation for an unsung aspect of the scene. Mission accomplished!

Trunk with Mill – the Creation

I find the bark of the sycamore remarkably beautiful. The tree grows so quickly that its outer layer of bark cannot keep up the pace, and the peeling exposes a beautifully smooth white undergarment. Graceful aging caused this transformation; as humans, we can only hope for such an end. There are hidden truths found in a communion with nature, and parallels drawn on the human experience.

Trunk with Mill – the Connection

I have always had a strong affinity for sycamore trees. My favorite example was once a neighbor to Bollinger Mill. It is gone now, but I was fortunate to have captured it in colored pencil (at right) before it disappeared. Now I have found another mill and another sycamore to visit – a strong replacement that will pass as well, but I will employ it as my model, hopefully for many years to come.