In 2012, after a life crisis, I began meeting with a meditation group at our church. One of the members led us in a lectio devina session, slowly contemplating part of a psalm, word by word. I was not really drawn to this process, but did the best I could. What leapt out at me from the psalm was simply the word GREEN.

And at the last step in lectio devina — “What does this suggest you do?” — the thought leapt into me like a spark: “Paint green!” I could hardly wait to get home to the oil pastel studio to begin. This painting, “Thrive!” is the result.

In creating a new life after a big crisis and change, I was really struggling to find a way to go on. You can see the shadow and darkness in this painting. Yet there’s also a radiance. And certainly “green” is a color for new beginnings, new life.

This is one of the first heart paintings I showed at a local gallery, where it quickly sold. Someone looking at my heart paintings there told me “They’re so luminous!” I was thrilled. Perhaps…I’d be able to go on, even to thrive.

What does this painting suggest to you?

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The story behind the “Thrive” heart painting was originally published Dec. 11, 2014 — Revised and republished August 5, 2020.