N E W FA I T H By Lynn Downham Years ago, I did a painting called The Case of Faith when my faith was new and in its “spring” season. Mike, my husband, was offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on an oil rig supply ship so I was alone again in the big log house. I was working in pastels at the time and wanted to do something reflective, like glass or metal as an exercise. Our neighbor from Trinidad had just the thing, a shiny brass pitcher and he let me borrow it for the stilllife. I proceeded to set up the still-life as one does, by collecting various items that you wouldn’t mind painting, and I decided the offshore chart of the Gulf of Mexico where Mike was working would make an interesting, albeit challenging, background. Since I was painting at night, the window to the left became another reflective surface just like the vase and the pitcher.
26 | ON M AG AEVERY Z I N E N ACORNER ME FAITH
One of the books in the painting was chosen purposefully. Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Faith, had recently taught me just who Jesus is and I wanted to include it in the painting. The antique cross was added as my new faith was preeminent on my mind in those days, but it still needed more. More? It was already a very busy painting and long before I had learned to or wanted to simplify my work. And then I saw them.....the little rubber animals!
