BITTERSWEET HARVEST by Lynn Downham

Lynn Story Downham is a fourth generation artist who returned to North Carolina in 2014 after twenty-six years on the Florida panhandle. Her seventh family tree commission was for a “family tree for Jesus.” Twenty years later she is a born-again believer with a best-selling print, a beautiful family and a passion for sharing Christ through her art. Find out more on Facebook by looking up “Lynn Story Downham’s Art” or “Lynn Downham Jesus Tree.”

BITTERSWEET HARVEST By Lynn Downham

I come from a family of artists. Myself, my mother, my grandmother, and my great-grandparents all drew and painted growing up. We drew and painted during careers and taking care of family, and have had more time as we got older to continue to draw and paint. Praise God. We have just moved my mother, Shirley, to an assisted living facility so that her care needs could continue to be met. Before the move, she lived in a beautiful house in our backyard that my husband and other contractors built for her. We hoped that she could remain there until the Lord called her home. As is so often the case, that was not the Lord’s plan. She is now in a community of seniors and has much more social interaction and yes; she has her drawing and painting supplies with her and is set up near a window with a beautiful view.

Mom’s favorite subject to paint is God’s creation. She watched the passing of the seasons like a wonderful montage sent from our loving Father in heaven. Her favorite song and the one she has asked to be played at her memorial service is “In the Seed There is a Flower.” She passed on this love of nature to me and my brothers, and, indeed, nature is one of my favorite subjects to paint. Would I have looked at the wonderful trees that the Lord calls me to paint with the same love and wonder without her guidance? I think not.

As we move into the stunningly picturesque fall season with its rainbow of colors, I will harvest the memories of ironing fall leaves into wax paper for stained glass windows, using pumpkins in still-life paintings for their color, and making the last memories with Mom so sweet so we may hold on to them until we see her again. Several friends have lost loved ones this month, and the Lord’s harvest of souls marches on. I know where Mom will be going. My job is to live, speak, teach, and paint other souls into the great harvest that is ongoing and will continue until our Lord returns. This month’s art is for you, Mom.

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” -James 5:7-8

Painting by Lynn Downham

Painting by Lynn Downham

Painting by Lynn Downham