The active search for beauty is a constant theme for me. I am unapologetically looking for and focusing on what is beautiful, what is admirable, what is good, what brings me joy.
You won’t find me posting about politics and griping. I leave that to others. I don’t ignore reality, I just choose to focus on what is uplifting, and the best way I know to concentrate my focus in order to find the beauty in anything is to paint it.
Oysters are a perfect example. Let’s face it, they are not the most beautiful shell. There are much more exciting shells out there. Oysters are more mundane, maybe even homely. But when I paint them…when I really see them…their beauty is revealed to me.
The longer I look, the more subtle colors and surface textures reveal themselves to me. The kind of study required by painting allows me to see, and hopefully capture their unique (and yes, beautiful) character.
This is a lesson I’ve taught myself over and over again. I sit to paint and the more I look, the more I see. It’s not there right away… it sometimes, most times, takes time. It’s born of taking the time to tune out and tune in.
As I dwell with my subject, details, nuance and color reveal themselves. These revelations of hidden beauty and secret nuance are exciting! And it happens every time!
I believe there is a lesson there for all of us. It’s why I teach. I’ve painted so many oysters, and it’s why I chose to offer them as the subject for my recent lessons.
When we really look for beauty we can find it. Looking for beauty in all of creation creates a different lens. It can feel like a counter cultural perspective. You’ll see nature, people, events a little differently when you practice this perspective long enough.
Looking for beauty breeds hope. It breeds quiet smiles. It breeds positive energy. It breeds a set of expectations that help you look past the surface of things for what beauty may lie beneath.
This perspective is not simply mine. It’s actually been advocated for centuries by spiritual leaders. My favorite verse in the Bible speaks to this idea so very well:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Want to see more beauty in the world? Just look for it! Having trouble with that? Then come paint with me… or let me paint for you ❤️
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