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| "Painting of Judas Iscariot" |
If you are like me, you form a strong opinion after meeting someone for the
first time. Unfortunately, our impressions are not always accurate, yet we
remember these fleeting feelings for longer than we care to admit. These vague
notions may affect our dealings with that person even after we get to know them
better.
I’m embarrassed
to say that my first introduction to a person is sometimes shallow and in total disregard
for their true character and nature. Once I get to know them on a personal
level, I’m surprised that I allowed superficial values to interfere with our
relationship.
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| Another painting of Judas |
Each person gives
off an aura that we can feel. If we judge them on appearances, we may
miss the totality of their personality. I remember after my mother’s passing, I
sometimes felt her presence when I walked into a room long after she was gone.
This aura either
creates an instant bonding between two people or it does not. What we are and
who we are can be felt by others. Our lives have an impact on the people we
love and associate with while the presence of strangers may project either good
or evil.
Have you ever
felt the dark awareness that you were being watched or followed? Did the hair
rise on your arm? Did fear hit you in the pit of your stomach? Whether you can
see them or not is beside the point. Their presence was felt.
Children are good
at measuring evil and feeling when it is near. At the same time, they are
innocent and may not listen to their own feelings but yield to authority
without making any protest. That's why it's so important that we protect them.
Gut instinct
is there to protect us. It is developed through experience. It's trying to
tell us something about our environment. Traditionally, women have downgraded
these feelings more than any other gender. They have been taught to “play nice”
and to disregard angry or negative feelings. Thankfully, this style of
femininity is changing. The deep and instinctual reactions we experience are
there to keep us safe from harm or abuse. We should trust them!
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| Another artist's version of Judas |
Men seem to
be keener at recognizing a threat. They are built physically and emotionally to
retaliate when confronted. We hear about the “dumbing down” of America. There
is also an effort to emasculate males. Mothers are over protecting their sons
and teaching them to back down rather than to stand up for one’s self.
While this
sounds good in the short term, the long term results may have devastating effects
on the family and the nation. If people lack the courage and skill to defend
themselves or their loved ones, they become victims. If people cower in fear,
they can be overtaken. If goodness is no longer strong it caves in to evil, and
what kind of world would that create?
Over the
centuries, artists have painted these opposition forces. Their artwork has
provided a stark contrast between light and darkness, good and evil. Their
portraits portray the struggle each person faces from within. Their choices
illustrate the physical transformation of the flesh as it
succumbs to wickedness.
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| In contrast, here is a face without guile, a face radiating from "A Joyful Heart" 9 x 12 pastel on Bristol |
If you doubt
that change, check out the police online files and see the alteration of a
person’s face who has gone down the road of addiction. Signs of aging rapidly
increase, teeth loosen from gums, hair falls out, wrinkles appear even in the
young, the heart is weakened and hardened.
The famous
paintings of Judas in this blog depict the presence of sorrow, shame and evil. The portrait above reflects goodness and happiness.
