Red Shawl, in stages, click for larger view, then again.
One of the areas of multiplied wonder is how everything works and works together; the ecosystem functions in perfect harmony, the animal kingdom works with the plant and mineral kingdoms, etc. The science of it all is a wonder, and a wonder enough without it also being beautiful besides.
But as beauty is pervasive in nature, it seems it’s not just an extra. It’s intrinsic. And it satisfies something basic in our soul.
God, it says in Genesis, called everything as He finished it, “Good.” Such an understatement. We’d have called it incredibly, stupendously, over-the-top awesome and, besides that, beautiful.
In another place, it says that “God made everything beautiful in its time.”*
I take that to mean all things that God has made are beautiful at every stage of time. Not just when they’re “done.”
I’ve thought about this in painting. A painting, at least the way I approach it, should have a certain beauty from its first strokes. Then at every stage of its making it could be considered “finished.” It’s the artist’s decision how far s/he wants to take it.
God the artist, makes every stage beautiful.
A newborn is beautiful for its amazing completeness as a human being. A toddler as it develops is a wonder to watch. Neither of these are “finished;” but for their stage, they’re complete. It’s the same all through life. Each stage is beautiful in its time.
Beauty is in the process as well as the goal.
And what is the goal anyway, but snap-shots in time?
A great definition I once read of beauty is “anything strong in its kind.”
Strong it its kind!
Beautiful!
Even that definition is strong in its kind.
With that definition we are relieved from having to compare across kinds. Something strong in one category is simply not comparable with something strong in another. The blue-green, semi-transparent ice fields of Greenland are majestic, but don’t compare them with the also spectacular earthen buttes of New Mexico. And don’t compare either one with a beautiful woman. Or a great piece of music. Or a sea anemone in the sun.
I’m told that as Einstein was working his theories, when he was hitting it right he recognized the beauty in it. Beauty pervades nature, including in the abstract.
We shouldn’t be surprised. But we can always take delight.
God has made
in their time
all things
strong in their kind.
____________________________
*Ecclesiastes 3:11
Writing from home, Dana Point, California.
Next: The e-gallery, featuring art done in Oregon. Coming Thursday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:52 am
I love this, Hyatt. “In its kind.” Like genre’s of music, like cuisine, like personalities and diversity in the people around us, each is a delight to the One who’s Song has created everything. It’s the imposter in all of us fallen folk that would pursuade us to compare others on a scale of value defined by human opinion. It’s certain that we will always come up short in that game. Contrarywise, it’s God’s unconditional delight that loves each of us where we are this day, this hour, this very moment. True, the day of final restoration will be a joy to our Lord. However, until then, his ongoing workmanship i.e. “poema” or poem in us is as equally pleasing to the Master Artist.
2:42 pm
That was neat how you developed the painting – each complete in its own stage – and finished it – complete at that stage.
Good reading!
4:01 pm
In addition to all of that God can and does make beauty out of ashes.
4:31 pm
Thank you again! I’m reminded of my several unfinished paintings. I believe I’ll take a photo of it’s current phase knowing it’s beautifully complete as it is and instead of fear of ruining, go on to appreciaate the next completion. As I do when tasting as I’m preparing a nice meal, understanding it’s delicious in each stage.
2:04 am
This is a brilliant concept and entirely new to me. Do you mind if I forward your blog address to several artist friends of mine? Don’t know why I didn’t think of it before, but your posts will no doubt keep them inspired.
12:51 pm
Excellent! Sort a refreshingly new way of saying “Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.” There truly is beauty in everything He has made, if we have the eyes to see it. Thanks, Hyatt!
5:34 am
I loved the part that you said the beauty is in the process as well as the goal. Love that because when designing a home it helps me to appreciate the process and each step and not stress so much about the goal which is the finished product! The people, my time with them, our arriving at the perfect paint color, drapery, wood finish or piece of furniture is such fun too, is beauty too! I take such delight in it all but I will take more delight with this new found wisdom that you have shared. I will not just focus on the goal as being the end all! Thanks again, Hyatt! Perfect! Love love
10:50 am
Being a wonderer myself and one who appreciates beyond simple words the beauty of nature that God has blessed us with, it’s easy to see the existence of the marvels He created on our planet earth and in the skies above with the sun, moon, and all the stars and planets that are there for our enjoyment, pleasure, and enrichment. Thank you again and again Hyatt for your postings that are so nourishing.