Be Still and Know~Autumn Still Life

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." ~Psalm 46:10

 "Be Still and Know~Autumn Still Life"

I painted the above painting "Autumn Still Life" several years ago. 

Every fall as soon as the pumpkins and gourds would appear at the farmer’s market or in the grocery stores I loved to go and buy as many as I could just so I could make paintings and sketches of them.

Pumpkins and gourds are symbols to me of the fall. 

As I sat and painted them, it was my way of holding onto the wonder of my favorite season, of holding back time. 

I am a slow painter. I knew that the pumpkins and gourds would deteriorate over time. 

Just as the fall would fade into winter; just as each of us will grow old, our youth vanish, like the green summer leaves turn to autumn gold each year then wither, and eventually fall from the trees altogether.

The original painting for this still life was painted in acrylics on canvas paper. Acrylics dry up fast, yet my pace was more suited to that of the oil painter. 

I would listen to worship music as I painted. Everything in my studio was filled with the presence and peace of the Lord.

God says in His word, “Be still and know that I am God...” (Psalm 46:10)

When creating a still life, artists must be patient, composed and steady while trying to recreate a moment in time in the life of their subject with their paintbrush.

There is a beautiful peace in the process of painting, especially in painting still lifes. For painting a still life forces you to slow down, to stop, to examine, to look, to see what is really before you. 

This is the opposite of the hectic, busy, non-stop work-all-the-time pace of our society. Such a fast pace induces stress, worry, and anxiety. 

But there is great peace in being still. That is God’s message in Psalm 46:10.

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

And that is silent message in every artist's Still Life.

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for this Thanksgiving Day. We are so thankful for all of Thy blessings You pour upon us each day.

As the holidays approach and our pace grows more and more hectic, help us to remember to come before You and be still, to be quiet, to know that You are God and that You are in control. 

Assure our hearts that all will be well because You have not left Your throne. Whatever is going on in the world, whatever is challenging me in my world, You are still on Your throne and Your word declares that You will never leave me or forsake me and that You are in Heaven holding all things together by Your mighty word. Thank You for these wonderful promises in Thy word. Lord I love You, in Jesus' mighty name, amen.

*For more information about the Print "Autumn Still Life" and to find out how you can get a copy, visit my Etsy shop
http:www.etsy.com/shop/WingsPublications

Be Still and Know~Autumn Still Life © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Painting Autumn Still Life (Detail)  
© 2008 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. Unto The Least Of These © 2015 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.