These few words in Genesis 1:26 are like a deep well. And, trying to fully understand them is like trying to understand the depths of the ocean while standing on the beach. The effects of sin in a fallen world have dulled our senses to the reality of what God has done.
One of the aspects of being made in the image of God is that we are creative beings. We create. What we create is wide and vast as that ocean mentioned above. Some write in ways that make the comprehension of their words seem like a fine German pastry accompanied by a cup of coffee. Others build magnificent architecture that rises hundreds of feet above the streets below or, like Frank Lloyd Wright, build an incredibly beautiful house nestled in the woods suspended over a roaring mountain creek.
We create because we are made in His image, and the ways we create seem almost innumerable.
See SlideShow of all Marble Falls Plein Air Paintings Below
Visual artists hear that voice God imbedded in their being and have to head off to some intriguing location and paint, or draw, or create. I drag my easel out to the great outdoors not to create a new thing, but to attempt to relay a message, duplicate the awesome beauty that God has already created… a “shout-out” if you will to the glory of an awesome, creative and loving God.
Recently I was blessed to be included in a group of painters who met for a week in Marble Falls, Texas. Our mission was to “Paint the Town” in a Plein Air competition and sale. It was a great break from the stress of work and other life issues and gave me an opportunity to paint six days in a row at various locations around Marble Falls. We painted on a beautiful longhorn ranch, at “That Joint at Spicewood”, which was an interesting and eclectic collection of all kinds of things from past decades. We also painted in the old down town section of Marble falls, and ended up the event with a 90 minute QuickDraw competition Saturday morning. I was blessed to win Second Place in that event for a piece called “Yellow Door”.
Donna and I enjoyed the week and beautiful landscapes and incredible wildflowers of the areas around Marble Falls. Sometimes I find these times of painting “en Plein Air” to be a time of worship; a time to praise the God who is for His kindness, grace and love for His creation. A time to thank Him for the salvation He has offered to fallen people through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.
Romans 4:25
