I have many fond memories of Saugatuck/Douglas, Michigan. We have been going there every year for decades. I would like to capture the beauty of this place on canvas. Here are some pictures across the Kalamazoo from the Saugatuck harbor and of the pier with Mt. Bald Head.

What are some of the memories? Well, picking fruit-strawberries, blueberries, peaches, and apples. There is so much fresh produce in the summer! Ah, but you also have the harbor, ice cream, bike paths, beaches, water sports and many boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. Climbing Mount Bald head is great exercise with 300 stairs. Then you run down the other side of sand dunes to Oval Beach on Lake Michigan. There are painting moments every where and I do a lot of plein air painting in this area. So, hopefully, I will soon have another painting of this memorable place to show you.

Remember, do something creative daily!

Sue

Thomas Merton states, "Recollection is a change of spiritual focus and an attuning of our whole soul to what is beyond and above ourselves." I was reading this chapter in "No Man is an Island." There is great depth to Merton's reflections and I hope that I do not distort his teaching. It gave me a great deal to think about.

Thomas Merton states that recollection brings the soul into contact with God by making us first present to ourselves and present to God. Essentially, he is saying that we are present to ourselves when we are in the present moment. He states, "If we live with possibilities we are exiles from the present which is given us by God to be our own, homeless and displaced in a future or a past which are not ours because they are always beyond our reach. The present is our right place, and we can lay hands on whatever it offers us." I don't know about you, but I am usually not in the present because my mind wanders. I am easily distracted.

However, I am truly in the present moment when I am painting. This is especially true when I am in nature ( en plein air), totally absorbed in the experience and the beauty that surrounds me. It is a time when I am not thinking of my "to do list" or replaying the past. In my last post I tried to describe how all of my senses are engaged when painting outdoors. I am trying to express all of those sensations on my surface with a few sticks of pigment. And, this is also how I am present to God-through his creation.

I feel certain that this is true recollection because Merton states, "True recollection is known by its effects: peace, interior silence, tranquility of heart. The spirit recollected is quiet and detached, at least in its depths." That sums it up and I can say that is even true in frustration. The painting process doesn't always work out as I would like but the journey is always satisfying for me.

Solo Glorio Deo

Sue

Painting, especially en plein air is an intense sensual experience that remains a vivid memory. For example, about 2 months ago I was painting McGinnis Slough. I was alone. It was a beautiful, sunny day with temperatures in the 70's. It was very breezy so I had to keep my left hand on the easel at all times. The umbrella was attached to the tripod and it was anchored into the ground with stakes. I had a convenient picnic table close by.

I could smell the vegetation in the water, surprised that so much grass has grown in the last year. There used to be more water than grass. Many different kinds of birds were singing but two geese were perturbed with me. It turns out that they had babies and they were being protective. I had a cold that day and my eyes were burning. However, I couldn't miss painting on a day like this. I was attracted to the distant trees where I could see water and the tall foreground grasses. Do you see what I mean about painting being an intense sensual experience and a vivid memory?

There is also a spiritual aspect to this type of experience but that is for another post when I tell you how Thomas Merton is involved.

Do something creative every day.

Sue