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Half-term break last week brought us half-way through the course. One or two friends have asked me how I am doing and hinted they would like to see some early evidence. I have firmly resisted, for a predictable mixture of reasons:
Realism prods me to acknowledge how unsatisfactory my early daubs are. There are flashes where some elements seem to work together but they are often undone by clumsy brushwork and tone elsewhere in the picture. One time you achieve a passable sky with realistic clouds...but the next time its patently unrealistic.
Pride is obviously at work.....who wants to have viewers who, while showing compassion, are so clearly trying to find something positive as they struggle to give affirmation. As the class teacher said of my first effort: 'I can see what you were trying to do!' At least that was some crumb of comfort but it was a crumb!
Hope stirs me to look ahead with yearning that I will improve so that I can meet at least some of my expectations by the end. Who knows?
One of you commented that I am obviously a man of many parts. Let me honestly reply that I am yet to be persuaded that this is one of them! But I shall go on....
Friday, February 24, 2017
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Grave disappointment
In December I mentioned a preaching tour spectacular scheduled for May 2017. Four of us were to form a preaching team for conferences in Manila, Taipei and Seoul...all within two weeks. Hearing that arrangements were developing full steam ahead with a deadline for materials at the end of February 2017 I pressed on eagerly and these last few weeks I have (mostly) written my address for translation. Imagine my delight when talking with the Boston tour operator she then organized my first (business class) airline ticket to the Philippines from Heathrow. It was becoming real.
However.....imagine my disappointment when I heard last week that the whole trip was cancelled! Oh no! An email shared the sad news without explanation though, of course, with much apology. The US administrator said he was distressed by the news too. Apparently I need to send him my address which may be published and I have to stand by because a conference opportunity in the US may open up in 2018. But I cannot disguise my disappointment.
In the interests of full disclosure I also need to mention that Carol is exhilarated by this news. Though expressing some sympathy for me she has never concealed her worries about me going off to foreign places without her. Every piece of disturbing news about the three countries to be visited has reinforced her concerns and (though she is coy about admitting it) I am pretty sure that she has been praying the trip would be cancelled! For my own protection, of course. As one of my friends said: 'Well, you know about the powerful prayers of a righteous person!'
However.....imagine my disappointment when I heard last week that the whole trip was cancelled! Oh no! An email shared the sad news without explanation though, of course, with much apology. The US administrator said he was distressed by the news too. Apparently I need to send him my address which may be published and I have to stand by because a conference opportunity in the US may open up in 2018. But I cannot disguise my disappointment.
In the interests of full disclosure I also need to mention that Carol is exhilarated by this news. Though expressing some sympathy for me she has never concealed her worries about me going off to foreign places without her. Every piece of disturbing news about the three countries to be visited has reinforced her concerns and (though she is coy about admitting it) I am pretty sure that she has been praying the trip would be cancelled! For my own protection, of course. As one of my friends said: 'Well, you know about the powerful prayers of a righteous person!'
Saturday, February 11, 2017
80 years young
We recently attended a 80th birthday celebration for a friend we have known for the last thirty years. About 50 people gathered in a restaurant to enjoy the occasion and we were delighted to greet several other guests we know well and be introduced to several more. After the meal a cake was produced and our friend made a short speech.
She thanked us all for coming and then said three things:
I am unhappy that I am so doubled up that I now have to use sticks to walk (her arthritis is serious);
I am very unhappy that my husband is not here. He died 10 years ago and I miss him terribly;
BUT for the last 65 years Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way. I have to tell you that his friendship is the most important part of my life. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
It was a very short speech but it expressed so clearly and honestly just how she felt on her big day.
It was a timely reminder as ageing so often brings poor health and bereavement that the relationship with Christ cannot be broken - the same yesterday, today and forever. Gratefully, I left the meal with that conviction ringing in my ears. There's no substitute for live testimony like that!
She thanked us all for coming and then said three things:
I am unhappy that I am so doubled up that I now have to use sticks to walk (her arthritis is serious);
I am very unhappy that my husband is not here. He died 10 years ago and I miss him terribly;
BUT for the last 65 years Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way. I have to tell you that his friendship is the most important part of my life. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
It was a very short speech but it expressed so clearly and honestly just how she felt on her big day.
It was a timely reminder as ageing so often brings poor health and bereavement that the relationship with Christ cannot be broken - the same yesterday, today and forever. Gratefully, I left the meal with that conviction ringing in my ears. There's no substitute for live testimony like that!
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Back to School - Watercolour Class (1)
The last four weeks I have been back to school - actually a nearby Community College - which boasts a variety of adult classes. Though I greatly enjoyed painting in the past (that's forty plus years ago) I have never learned to use water colours. When I saw this class posted for beginners and those with a little experience I signed up, albeit with many questions. You know the kind! Who will be there, who will teach and how, what will happen in ten weeks? Ten of us started out and it seems to have settled down to around 7 or 8 - evenly divided between men and women with the average age knocked down by a younger couple.
So what happened? I have been intrigued by how the teacher has worked with our disparate group. First, he has gone for boldness and confidence. He poured scorn on little brushes, small paper, and detail of any kind. "We are not maiden aunts with our little paint pads doing miniatures!' he said. He demanded that we buy quarter imperial paper, big brushes (12 or 14 for those who know about these things!) and that we begin with big vistas and large brush-strokes.
Second, he focuses on simplicity. He recommends three colours are all we need: cadmium yellow, cobalt blue and cadmium red. The rest is down to mixing with basic rules of eye-level, horizon, near, middle and far distances and concentration on tone. It's tone that matters he keeps saying!
Third, he models from the front. Sending out details about the next picture before each class he then encourages us to paint along with him. As he slaps the paint on at the front (and at times it just seems a slap) he distributes little gems such as the need to preserve the white paper and the changes of tone to give three dimensions. As we follow, he walks round, to give personal encouragement, advice and sometimes rescues a problem! Rarely does anyone lose enthusiasm!
Four, he makes plenty of room for mystery. At the outset he explained that because water colouring works with water there is always some uncontrollability about what may happen next. With experience you can build expectation but you never quite know.
I know I shall have a couple of reflections as the class progresses but the class agrees that he is a good teacher....and it's much to do with these four aspects. I cannot help thinking about implications for those of us engaged in Christian teaching.
So what happened? I have been intrigued by how the teacher has worked with our disparate group. First, he has gone for boldness and confidence. He poured scorn on little brushes, small paper, and detail of any kind. "We are not maiden aunts with our little paint pads doing miniatures!' he said. He demanded that we buy quarter imperial paper, big brushes (12 or 14 for those who know about these things!) and that we begin with big vistas and large brush-strokes.
Second, he focuses on simplicity. He recommends three colours are all we need: cadmium yellow, cobalt blue and cadmium red. The rest is down to mixing with basic rules of eye-level, horizon, near, middle and far distances and concentration on tone. It's tone that matters he keeps saying!
Third, he models from the front. Sending out details about the next picture before each class he then encourages us to paint along with him. As he slaps the paint on at the front (and at times it just seems a slap) he distributes little gems such as the need to preserve the white paper and the changes of tone to give three dimensions. As we follow, he walks round, to give personal encouragement, advice and sometimes rescues a problem! Rarely does anyone lose enthusiasm!
Four, he makes plenty of room for mystery. At the outset he explained that because water colouring works with water there is always some uncontrollability about what may happen next. With experience you can build expectation but you never quite know.
I know I shall have a couple of reflections as the class progresses but the class agrees that he is a good teacher....and it's much to do with these four aspects. I cannot help thinking about implications for those of us engaged in Christian teaching.
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