Is it Still Possible to Love your Enemies or Must we Live in Fear?

(This is a composite of how I'm going to start my next painting "Stir Fry." Stay Tuned!)

In the 70s, I was working as a freelance writer. After completing several packages of four scripts each, I was contracted for another project. This time it was about families, featuring cultural diversity which was a hot topic in those days.

Mid-way between, I discovered that the real purpose of “diversity" was not “inclusiveness” of those who were different from us, but a means of cramming everyone into the same old box for governmental control. The uniqueness of each culture and the beautiful characteristics of each race was intended to be camouflaged, distorted, and white-washed. The intent of the producer was “to make everyone the same and thus equal.

Except for outward appearances, the differences between races and cultures was blurred rather than appreciated and celebrated. The control police love this. If they had their “druthers,” they’d want everyone to think, act and look alike; and, of course, all vote for the same party.

Needless to say, my treatment and approach for the script was far different from the one they had in mind. You could say we had a falling out.

Today, division and hatred is even greater than before. I guess this diversity thing didn’t quite work out the way they had expected. Our leaders want to lump others into racial and cultural groups to incite us into class warfare. Too bad they didn’t celebrate our uniqueness as I had originally suggested.

Now people tend to generalize and polarize using language and behavior: “All blacks are alike. All whites are supremacists. Italian’s are dishonest. All Hispanics are in gangs,” etc. Well, you get the picture. The blame game players and the hateful are trying to divide and conquer us. If we’d appreciated and explored our differences, even delighted in them, this wouldn’t be happening.

And to compound the fears that have already been instilled in us, another national crisis. Terrorism has struck again. The perpetrators seemed normal. They dressed like you and me. They had jobs, a baby, they blended in. They fit in with the politically correct speak.

The problem is Islamic Terrorists don’t think like us. Their religious texts encourage violence and murder against “the infidel” and those who don’t conform to their beliefs. These particular Jihadists were building pipe-bombs in their garage and stocking up on ammunition and assault rifles.

While they worked and played, and lived their normal lives, they were planning to terrorize and murder unarmed men, women, and innocent children. Many of whom were disabled. And all this mayhem was planned and executed in the name of their God, Allah.

That this could happen in America, a Bastion of freedom where people of all races, cultures and religions have lived together and played together for hundreds of years is unconscionable! Diversity is a good thing if people welcome the chance to get to know others in their schools and neighborhoods in order to celebrate their roots. But if we simply divide up and go into battle our differences encourage hatred and that becomes a dangerous thing.

Peace on earth sounds wonderful at this time of year, but only people working together for the common good can experience it. As the Christmas Season approaches, let us “love our neighbors and pray for our enemies.” Let us reach out in peace and fellowship, but also know in whom we can trust.

For those whose hearts are filled with hatred, “pray for those who despitefully use you.” We must recognize both the enemy within and without.

Fear is so widespread in our world today that we need a greater effort by everyone to “watch and pray” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” For those who mock prayer and condemn all people of faith, it is your right to do so.

As a Christian I’ve stood by and watched Muslim children in schools and universities given private rooms to pray while Christians have been denied meeting rooms or other accommodations.

I’ve seen cities close off streets so that Muslims might pray according to their beliefs, but at the same time watched my Christian brothers and sisters denied private areas in school because of their own beliefs and holiday celebrations.

Recently the Attorney General came out and declared that any hate speech against Muslims because of the latest Terrorist attacks would not be tolerated and there would be repercussions. 

Well, Miss Lynch, Christians have stood by and watched newspapers make fun of their beliefs and their prayers, and note that the actions of a few have been made the brunt of jokes and condemnation. May I remind you that our precious Constitution protects the rights of Christians, too?

We are constantly reminded not to blame law-abiding Muslims for the actions of Islamic Terrorists. Christian’s ask the same consideration: that the majority not be blamed for the actions of a few bad apples.

The Faces of Humanity -- the Richness of Spirit

(This photograph will be the basis for my next painting)

I have an obsession with faces. They tell so much about a person, and yet so little. Worry lines may soon turn into laugh lines when the heart is merry. Eyes glisten in the presence of a loved one or a good friend. Tears may signify joy or sadness; the face reflects the nuance and the feelings that others seek to interpret.

As we age, faces become more like maps to the past. How we have lived, what we have experienced is often reflected in the way we hold our mouth or in the downcast look in our eyes. Creases may symbolize chronic illness and pain or a hardworking existence in the great outdoors.

"A Joyful Heart" 9x12 pastel on Bristol; Matted and ready to frame (11x14).

As poets have said for hundreds of years “the eyes are the windows to the soul.” We like to think that we can see into someone else’s life through their eyes, but we’re only guessing. Ted Bundy, a serial killer, had very seductive eyes; but I doubt his victims saw into his soul. If they had, they would have fled in terror.

Still, eyes can tell us about emotion. My next portrait is of a young Indian mother and her two children (1st photo) as they observe something with reverential eyes. Are they worshipping? Do they see someone they revere or are they only hoping for something better to come into their lives?

Their faces captured my attention and I needed to paint them. This is an actual photograph taken by some friends in India. I see longing in the eyes of this family, and at the same time awe. Perhaps you’ll see and feel something altogether different; but if I paint them with my interpretation, perhaps you’ll see them the way that I do.

This is the delight of the creative life. An artist has a deep felt need to express what he or she sees and feels. Sometimes it is a negative message to convey an opinion or make a statement. At other times it is a heartfelt desire to share a joyful picture representing the goodness and the common bond of humanity.

(I have applied the drawing to a 24x18 white canvas)

Faces are like sculpture. Their form and definition, their shapes and lines are beautiful unto themselves. I enjoy painting people of color. The richness of skin tones and the variant shades are remarkable and a challenge to capture. Facial features are bolder, more pronounced, and they fit together perfectly, beautifully into a whole.

I’ve had some difficulty seeing lately so this new painting will be a challenge. I have mono-vision lenses that make it difficult to see depth; one eye is for close-ups and the other for distance. Luckily, when I hold a drawing or a painting up to the mirror, my flaws are usually revealed to me.

(Work in Progress: First layers of acrylic paint on the figures. I will change and altar what doesn't look right.)

I’m disheartened by the recent outburst of hate and racism in this country. While I see beauty in diversity many others focus on differences and see danger. Yet one God made us all and loves us equally. In that light, how then can we not reach out to others in friendship and tolerance?

"With these hands -- Hope" 16x20 canvas; oil on acrylic background.

At the Heart of the Matter are Matters of the Heart

(Is it an experiment, a combobulation of paint, or the beginnings of somethiing interesting?)

Today a woman dressed in shorts and obviously wearing a wig came into the church office. She was distraught and wanted to see a pastor. The more we chatted, it became obvious to me that this was a man dressed in women’s clothing.  She (he) had attractive legs and a nice face.

I told her to come back in one hour and perhaps our Youth Pastor would be here. She insisted that she really wanted to see a Senior Pastor, and she would come back later. This situation reminded me of an incident that happened in our Art Gallery.

I was working there one day when an older looking woman in glasses came in. Her “disguise” was purposely made to look artificial: an obvious curly wig sat askew on the top of her head, and she wore a frumpy skirt with a man’s shirt. She had no makeup and made no attempt to act feminine. The minute she walked in, I knew she was male. Since this happens often in the art world, I treated her as any other art lover.

(Add a glaze or two, wipe out, and something new
and interesting appears) I will define some of the
detail and show you the next two phases. I need
to add some more color for depth.)

She stayed for over an hour discussing art with the workers and indicating that she, too, was an artist. We told her about our group and suggested she look into joining because it sounded like she had great experience and exposure.

A couple days later, she came back dressed as “himself” with a partner. I acted as if I hadn’t seen him before, and showed them the pieces they were interested in. His partner was a collector.

I believe in both of these instances, the gay person was there to establish acceptance and to see if there was any prejudice or alienation in our attitudes or treatment. The “Gay marriage vote” was on the docket in the Fall in our area. But this recent experience with a Pastor was new to me. Perhaps the individual was sincere. I have no way of knowing.

When our youth pastor arrived, the woman returned. Unfortunately, Pastor had to leave again for a meeting. He invited her to come back at 2 p.m. As she left, I asked her if she intended to come back. Her reply: “No he’s too self-righteous.”

I was surprised at that judgment call since they had had only a few words. No one should expect to walk into a business or a church and expect that someone is going to be there for them at a moment’s notice. I think Christian churches are going to be tested in the next few years. “Hate speech” is coming to the forefront and some are even implying that the Bible be changed because of the hate speech it contains.

Ironically, when the Youth Pastor left for his meeting at another church, guess who was sitting in the foyer waiting for an appointment? Either serious help was needed, she wanted to be married in a Christian church or she was simply testing the church environment.

When we meet new people, we never know where they’re coming from. That’s why everyone should be treated with courtesy and respect. There’s no need to generate animosity or ill will. Our job as individuals and entrepreneurs is to avoid making judgment calls on other human beings. How they live their lives is none of our business. In like manner, no one should tell us what to paint, who we may sell to, and when as long as we are obeying the law. Freedom of choice should be every person's prerogative as long as they are operating within the law.

(I did this painting in much the same
way, except the parrot was planned.
It's mate is on the right.)

Since when did we become a society of “busy bodies” meddling into other people’s affairs? Why must our “free speech” be labeled? Who is the authority that designates what is and isn’t “hate speech?” Did they receive our vote? Why have they been given so much power and control over us?

Hate speech can work both ways. Recipients of hate have no race, ethnicity, color, gender or orientation. All are susceptible. Each is unique with specific traits and needs.

Tolerance and understanding can bridge the gap that seems to widen when hatred and anger are used instead. Deal with your fellow human beings honorably no matter which side of the spectrum they’re on.