i never thought taking a modern art class would inspire me so much. but i love it.
one of my favorite paintings that we have studied so far is The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau.
not only do i completely love his style, but i am inspired by the fact that he was self-taught. (i hope my self-teaching will one day lead to this) at the time when he painted this, in 1897, everyone who was an artist was trained at the Academy. thus, Rousseau and his work represents the ultimate rejection of academic art. i want to be this guy.
the thoughts and feelings and memories of Senegal and its awe-inspiring desert come rushing back to me when i look at this painting, further reviving my heart for the place and the people i met there.
it makes me want to paint, want to dance on the desert dunes, want to breathe in the cool air and to be surrounded by the beautiful silence that comes amongst those dunes.
i love arizona, and phoenix in particular because i love my family and dear friend who live there. while visiting over christmas, i had a conversation with the ever-sweet laysa about the desert. it seems so dry and lifeless upon the first glance. but it is an always changing sea of sand, teeming with life. life that has learned to adapt and survive. life that is strong and hidden. it is beautiful. and one can grow there.
just for fun, me sliding down a massive dune…
Very cool. And I like the fun shot you threw in too. Love you.
Tahnawanaselftaught:
You ARE that guy, with obvious physical differences including, and I am guessing here, a less bushy mustache.
I love your thoughts and comments about the desert and recently you know that Brooke and I have had wandering minds and spirits of our own. We are now planning a week long road trip to Albuquerque as the mountains and the desert seem to be calling our names. We are, also, giving some thought to Flagstaff, AZ which is one of the most amazing places in AZ and in the US.
We are still planning a trip this summer to Italy and we have found some incredible real estate deals there. The problem will be with residency and with the language barrier (temporary). After my back problems, we have decided that following your dreams (with the consent and blessing from the Lord) is a noble pursuit.
Some amazing things are happening in Houston too with Brooke being asked to join a new culinary ministry within our church. The church plans to buy the Meridien Theater in downtown and convert it into a restaurant that will cater to all walks of life from the wealthy, who would pay a premium for a 5 star meal, to the homeless who would have the same meal for free. Brooke will join celebrity chefs in this community outreach program.
Much like you, we wonder just where we should be (and you thought only young people struggled for purpose). More than ever, we are looking to the Lord for direction in our lives and we are convinced that if He want us in Italy we will go there and if it is for me to leave my job to work in a Houston ministry along with my wife, we will do that!
It is interesting that in one of your recent posts (about leaving school and starting life), I find myself in exactly the same shoes as you. Recently, I know more than ever that God is in total control and is working all things together for good. For instance, whenever I get discouraged about my back problems I become immediately thankful for the fact that because of my back, I am able to keep an income. Is this a coincidence or the work of an omnipotent God who had this all worked out before the beginning of time.
Not sure why I ramble with such profound thoughts in response to your blog that perhaps no one but you will read, but it is just random thoughts that God has put upon my heart.
Laying here now recovering more & more each day I find myself thankful for you and the inspiration that you are to my life and in thinking through my next steps, which may end up being a wide departure from the corporate career I have spent 32 years building (my three musketeer encouragers are Brooke, Louanne & Tahni – the best BLT ever!)! I like you, want to be that self-taught guy that makes a difference.
I love you very much,
Dad