Category Archives: peace
Unveiling “Angels in America” & Walk for Peace
Angels, beautiful pauses in the whirlwind,
Be with us through the seasons of unease;
Within the clamorous traffic of the mind,
Through all these clouded and tumultuous days,
Remind us of your great unclouded ways.
–May Sarton, from The Beautiful Pauses
We are all feeling the weight of this moment and like you, am heartbroken. Giving expression to my grief through this painting, “Angels in America,” has been a balm for my soul over these months. The Via Creativa born of our awe and love for the world and our despair, is a powerful antidote—and practice—during these dark times. For those who have attended my workshops in the past around the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, you may recall these mystical teachings (founded by Fr. Matthew Fox) and encourage you to explore a creative outlet as a healing tool. Whatever that may look like for you. We are all creative in some way. I also believe we are witnessing what my late teacher Joanna Macy termed The Great Turning (an inspiring video) and we will need all our creativity to navigate this time of transformation.
In our sorrow, which is a natural response to any loss or trauma, beauty and peace are available to us in the moment. Recently, I had the joy of being in the presence of the Venerable Monks who are on a Walk for Peace through the South to DC. It was a very tender moment when the leader Bhikkhu Pannakara handed me the rose he was holding. The way people are turning out to be witness to their journey, gives me great hope. A shared vision of loving-kindness, compassion, and peace in our world.
About Angels in America: The Capital building dominates the skyline below a blood red moon. Atop is a the Statue of Freedom with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM” engraved on its based. Latin for “Out of Many, One.” In the gold background I included a combination of language from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. “We the People, hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, etc.” The rose is the national flower of our country. I chose red to symbolize love. Love of country. Democracy. Love for the Other, the neighbor. Love for all beings and the more-than-human world. Red roses also symbolize loyalty. Fidelity to the Constitution. Faithfulness to insuring a peaceful and just world for all.* May it be so.
“Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.”
attributed to MLK, Jr and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
May this be your peaceful day to quote the Monks.
{Unveiling} Holy Land
The final painting, “Holy Land” (nature knows no borders). 24×36″. Acrylic & jewels on canvas. 2024. I wasn’t clear as to why it took so long to complete this particular painting but have come to see its creation as an ongoing peace vigil around the war in Gaza. The Hoopoe, Israel’s national bird, and the Palestinian Sunbird, their national bird, sit upon an unripened olive branch. The national flowers of Israel, Anemone coronaria, and the Palestinian Faqqua Iris hold court below with the Madonna Lily. Each flower representing the people of the Abrahamic traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—that call the Holy Land (including the Dome of the Rock seen in the background) their home. National butterflies represent a vision of transformation that is desperately needed to bring peace to the region. Peace. Salam. Shalom. Prints available at my boutique. A percentage of your purchase benefits an aid organization working in the region.
A prayer, a poem, a painting for peace.
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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that.
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From my May newsletter:
I hope this note finds you well and grounded as we continue to swim in the turbulent waters of this election year and bear witness to the ongoing tragedies of war, especially in Gaza. It’s a lot to take in and praying for peace doesn’t seem enough but Ellen Bass’s poem “Prayer for Peace” (Read full poem here) speaks to my heart. How do we make every moment holy and a prayer for peace. This is an excerpt:
With each breath in, take in the faith of those
who have believed when belief seemed foolish,
who persevered. With each breath out, cherish.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace,
feed the birds for peace, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth another second of peace.
Is it foolish to believe—to pray for peace, for unity? Perhaps, but we will persevere and I continue to believe in the power of the arts to make a difference. Historian Ken Burn’s 2024 commencement address at Brandeis is so inspirational if you haven’t seen it and, likewise, affirms the role of the arts. We need all our creativity and the power of the moral imagination to solve today’s crises.
I’ve created several interfaith peace paintings over the years, and am currently working on “Holy Land” (seen above). The Palestinian Sunbird and the Hoopoe are the national birds of Palestine and Israel, respectively, and seen here with the national flowers. Nature knows no borders. Similar in theme is the “Conference of the Birds” that also speaks to unity amidst the darkness of our times.
I pray for peace. I paint for peace. For beauty and the enduring spirit of hope in us all. Keeps me going as I now also navigate another injury having fractured my wrist on May 3. Breathing in, breathing out: I cherish this precious moment. May all know peace.
With love and gratitude,
Amy
