Amateur (Lover), Outsider Art, and Melchizedek

This is the painting I began a couple of weeks ago, beginning with the monochromatic under-painting. The next photo is the next "stage" where I have begun to add color and a little definition. I also cleared out a place for a chalice and ciborium, and since the Infant is standing on the Lectionary...it has some of the elements of a sacristy. Since I usually only paint on weekends, it will probably by 2 -3 weeks before this is complete if I am lucky.

Side Note: I moved it a little more forward today but had to stop to hunt for a document, and to do that I am having to slug through probably at least a year's worth of neglect of our desk and files. YUK! I'm taking a break now.

I used to bristle at the term "outsider art" which basically means art done by an "untrained artist" "self-taught" (which I am but didn't want to admit it)

However, I am now beginning to embrace the term because the more I know about Jesus, and Love...being an outsider / nobody is not necessarily a bad thing.

Outsider art can be characterized by the use of raw color. I do that. I usually only will mix one with a bit of its compliment to dull it a little, or make a darker color - like equal parts of fr.ultramarine blue and cadmium orange to make a brilliant black.

Many outsiders employ religious themes and figures in their painting. I do that too. Many outsiders are considered "different" or eccentric - but to me it seems many people who paint/make art are that way also, even the highly educated ones.

Yes, I intentionally put straight blondish hair on the Infant. I have begun putting "myself" in all my paintings with people. I know that in itself probably seems strange.

"Amateur" fits right in there as the opposite of "professional" Even though I do hope to make a living at it one day!

I have read it is not considered good form to describe yourself as an artist of any kind, it is a title that someone else bestows on you.

In the same regard, I sometimes wonder..."who do I think I am?" to say or blog that? I was giving someone at work a blessing the other day, and after he told me "it didn't work," he asked "don't you have to have some kind of certificate to do that?" I'm thinking he is probably right. A willing recipient; however, might be helpful too! :o)

Then, I remembered Melchizedek. Is it OK for somebody to say "I am a priest in the "order" of Melchizedek?" He was an outsider to the extent that he didn't seem to have any records at all - no paperwork, no certificates or degrees.

All that to say...my intention is good - to simply "put myself in the picture" (literally and figuratively) with my paintings and my Faith/Spiritual life.

Putting yourself in the picture may seem presumptuous, but it can be another way to say "to take responsibility for", or "have compassion with" a situation, or "turn a dream into reality".

Back to filing.

Peace Keren

The purple plant is called Persian Shield.