This watercolor painting shows the Laie Temple nestled in the heart of Laie, surrounded by the student married housing. It is there, calling to the students and the community to come closer to God, to come unto Christ. The clouds are amazing here on the North shore. They reach high towards the heavens. Back in Utah, I saw a picture that N. C. Wyeth painted of clouds along the seashore in his pilgrim book. I thought he had used artistic license to exaggerate them, but here in Hawaii are the same amazing clouds. One afternoon while walking home from the University, I saw one of those clouds reaching down from the sky and resting on the temple.
Elder Jefferey R. Holland came and spoke at Brigham Young University Hawaii. He talked about the privilege of being in a Holy place where there was a place of learning through education and a place of learning by faith.
You need both types of learning in life. As an artist we educate ourselves about the principles and elements of art. We learn to draw the human figure and practice making bold marks with brush and paint. But we also have to nurture that pure gratitude for the beauty around us. We have to have the quiet time that sees beyond what others see and get it down on paper or canvas. Whether it is a beautiful landscape or a mouse becoming friends with a cat in a picture book, we capture a bit of the beauty of this world for others to see.
…and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. D&C 84:5
Jefferey R. Holland’s talk on “A House of Learning, A House of Faith”
Sherry,
Love your watercolors and the feelings they evoke. Miss seeing you and watching you paint. Know you are doing great work temporally and spiritually.
Thanks Ina. Hope so. I missed you guys this summer at Beth’s cabin. Hope things are going good for you and your sister.
My sister fell and broke her hip on Tuesday. She is 87, but a tough, independent woman. No one went to the cabin this year for one reason or another. Beth has had a few health issues and so has her husband. Can hardly wait for your next painting!
Give your sister my best. There are a lot of fun things to paint over here. You don’t have to look far for inspiration.