"And God Remembered Rachel"

“And God remembered Rachel….”  (Gen 30:22)

As Joseph’s ten older brothers were born, his mother Rachel yearned to have a baby.  I have contemplated the idea that Rachel may have started weaving and embroidering a blanket with the hope that one day she would have a baby.  As other children were born, perhaps Rachel made her blanket more elaborate.

As Joseph grew older and his mother died, his father could have had the blanket made into a coat for him as an outward symbol of the love of his parents.

I added the white poppies to the composition because a friend of mine, who grew up in Israel told me that the phrase "consider the lilies of the field"  conjures images of poppies for her.  I like to add that meaning to this image.  "Considering the lilies" can sometimes be a difficult task, especially when wanting and waiting is prolonged.

This painting is currently on display as part of the Annual Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah Exhibit in The Springville Museum of Art up until January 15th.  Museum hours are:  closed Mondays, 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours until 9 on Wednesday evenings and Sundays 3-6.  Admission is free.

How long did it take you to paint that?

So often when others view my art they ask, "How long did that take you?"  I know they are referring to the amount of time I had a brush in my hand, but for me, it’s not just the time at the easel, but rather the living, the experience, the textures, the hopes, the vistas, the valleys that all culminate in that moment.  The painting I worked on yesterday may have been on my easel for a week, but it took me decades, a culmination of everything else I have ever created, of every flower I have stopped to admire, of every conversation, every sunrise I have witnessed, every sunset that has bathed me in its glow.  That painting combines every experience, all the decisions I have made, my doubts, my successes.

Me and my sweet baby getting this painting started.

But the thing that is so important and so unique to the times that I express myself in paint is that here, in my paintings, I am holding the brush.  I choose the paint, I choose the process, I choose the surface.  I choose what to share, what to obscure, what to leave vulnerable and what to polish.  I take my experiences and put them there to share in the way that feels very appropriate for me, and that brings me fulfillment and challenge and true happiness and that is why I paint.  It is in my paint that I feel myself emerging, reflecting who I really am, and who I am striving to become, in all aspects of my life.

I painted this painting in my garage during the warmest months of the year.  The evenings brought cooler temperatures and friendly visits from neighbors and new friends stopping by to check on the progress.

Painting feeds me and brings me balance.  The experience of painting is an exhilarating process for me.  It is a process of doubting, questioning, crying, joy, triumph, discovery, elation, and finally peace with it all.  For me that process alone is worth it all, but how much sweeter the reward becomes when I can share it, when someone sees my work and time stops, even if only for a second, and they say, "I like it; it makes me feel happy".  Then my joy is full, and I feel blessed to able to be the giver of that gift.

Here is the finished painting hanging in my exhibit in The Springville Museum of Art.

a rose from my great aunt

After her husband passed away, my great aunt kept the last roses he had given her. Though wilted and most of the petals had fallen off, she kept then because they were his last gift. She selected a withered rose with the most petals and offered it to me. Two more petals fell off. I declined because I realized the sentimentality it represented. Again, she insisted. At home I gently set the withered rose on my drawing table. I wasn't sure what to do. Then I understood- I must paint it because it represented the love of her husband. Flowers give peace, comfort, and love. I named my daughter after my aunt because of her treasured influence. (This painting is part of my exhibit currently on display in The Springville Museum of Art)

Eyes Wide Open Exhibit at The Springville Museum of Art

I have been so busy getting ready for this show that many other things have been neglected- including my blog.   My exhibit at the Springville Museum of art opened last night.  It was wonderful except that I feel like I didn't get to visit with so many of the people who came, I am so grateful for all of the love and support and excitement that I have been bathed in through out this process. 

I am grateful for this opportunity to share my artwork.  My sweet Uncle actually counted my paintings that are on display at the museum right now and there are 137!  I hope you can go see them!

My show will hang until November 11th.  Here are my tips for planning your visit:

Here is a link to the museum's page for planning your visit, it includes directions and also indicates that admission to the museum is FREE.  

The museum hours are: closed on Mondays, open 10-5 Tuesday through Saturday with extended hours on Wednesday night (open until 9 pm) and then on Sunday from 3-6 pm (a great time to miss traffic and have an inspiring and peaceful visit)

This show is called Eyes Wide Open and it features 4 different exhibits within the same show.

Brian Kershisnik's exhibit is awesome.  I am so excited to get to be in the same show with him.  Here is a link to his website.  There is also an exhibit from the Utah Inspirational Association and Denny Thurston a Utah Photographer.  There is also a great exhibit in the basement called Exploring Play that is a fun interactive exhibit for families and that children will especially love.  Upstairs, you will find the artwork of Walter Rane and also an exhibit that features the people and places and ideas in Utah.

If you'd like to eat while you are in Springville, my favorite local spot is the Art City Trolley  It is a great restaurant, the food is delicious the setting is fun (ask to be seated in the trolley for a unique dinning experience) and the service is always great. Here is a link to their menu.  I love the salads there, and my dad says the ribs are especially good (I'm not a big meat eater, but he is, so his opinion is valuable. Also they have very decadent desserts, so if you don't have time for a whole meal, or just want to indulge, go for dessert- the portions are big enough to be shared.  I love the carrot cake.

I have been surprised as I have been telling people about my show when they reveal where they think Springville is, many people seem to think it is very far away in central Utah, it isn't, it is just barely south of Provo.  It's really not a bad drive or inconvenient to visit- you could get there in an hour from Salt  Lake and if you go on Sunday when there is less traffic, it will be a pleasant drive worth taking.

Oh, and one more thing- the freeway signs for Springville don't say "Springville" on them! they say 1400 N and 400 S, which happens to be the road the museum is on.  They do have those brown historic signs that say Springville Museum of Art. 

I hope this information is helpful!  When you go, feel free to take photos, I love to get to see my work through your perspective!  Leave me a note here or in my book and if you post photos on facebook, make sure to tag me and if you put them on instagram, use the hash tag #SarahSMOFA  (that stands for Springville Museum of Art)  and any other hash tags you see fit.

The official Sotos Syndrome Support Association video is now available on youtube

Last July was a whirlwind of events for us.  Lucy was officially diagnosed with Sotos Syndrome and two weeks later she and I traveled to our first Sotos Syndrome Conference.  It was overwhelming and informative and such a wonderful opportunity to get to connect with so many people with similar experiences.  There is a broad range of differences, but always something in common with each person there.  

A couple of years ago, this video was made at a conference, and it has been a great resource to be able to share with with friends, family, medical professionals, teachers and therapists.  Sotos is so rare that the majority of people that we interact with are not familiar with the syndrome.  I am so grateful for the  families who shared their lives on this video, it has helped us.  I am also grateful to be able to share our journey with Sotos, here, on my blog.  I am so grateful for the people who find my blog searching for information about Sotos.  I am so grateful to be able to provide any support or answers to those who are searching.  I am pleased to be able to get to share this video, it is a great way to become familiar with Sotos Syndrome.  For those searching for answers or recently diagnosed, I hope you can find peace, belonging and support here.