The Creative Surround

Why do I add images of my artwork to all my essays, papers, and blogs entries? I began doing that in 2009, when I returned to school to do Master’s graduate studies at the University of Alberta. Every blog entry, and every assignment, including my final thesis, began with an image of one of my drawings or paintings. I am continuing “the tradition,” during my Doctoral studies at St.Stephen’s. The reason is to demonstrate the very essence of my research, that is, to propose that art has a positive effect on one’s ability to think critically. It is with critical thought one examines the message of the kingdom of God, and it is through the inspiration and revelation of that kingdom that we purpose to engage the issues of life. In other words, I encourage everyone to surround themselves with creativity, to build a positive construct of artwork and art images to enhance a personal environment for reflection, examination, and meditation. 

“The Embarrassment of Linear Riches,” illustrated in this post is an abstract work of art, drawn in brass point, copper point and silverpoint with a hand-rubbed metal point under-drawing. The work demonstrates an amplified line, as if I imagined magnifying a single metal point line to exaggerated proportions. Yet, in that magnification, I discovered a world of linear and textured beauty, and the evidence of a positive construct, to the point of feeling embarrassed about the simplicity of it all – that is, the richness of a simple line in brass, copper, and silver.

“The Embarrassment of Linear Riches,” by Gerrit Verstraete. 2011. Cat.No.1205. Amplified line in metal point on hardboard, Hand-rubbed brass point, copper point and silverpoint. (48 X 24 in./122 X 61 cm).

The Evidential Power of Beauty

Thomas Dubay wrote in his book, “The Evidential Power of Beauty: Science and Theology meet,” (Ignatius Press, 1999), that “beauty is perceived not only from within but also from the outside. However, as useful as technical studies may be for some purposes, we cannot appreciate the enchanting character of beautiful objects by mere scientific investigation, from the outside, rendering the study of beauty singularly devoid of wonder and delight.” As an artist, my experience of inner beauty often begins as an observation of outer beauty, such as was the case when I drew this beautiful young woman, as she walked along the beach. Technically, I did my best to capture the roughness of nature’s forms and lines, but inwardly, I wanted to catch a glimpse of that delicate freedom that made the young woman delight in the cool touch of the sand, yet not wanting to be recognized as she holds a hat firmly over her face. The only clue is a red, circular ornament around her neck. I have met her before, as she has been the subject of many of my “Red Moon Diaries” series of drawings. The drawing bears evidence not just of beauty of form and line alone in “the enchanting character of beautiful objects by mere scientific investigation from the outside,” but as well, of a deeper beauty of relationship as a “wonder and delight” of the human experience. Because it is in the human experience, where as an artist, I find a spiritual wonder and delight that supports the evidence that there is indeed something or someone bigger than I, in this great scheme of things.

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 “Young Woman with Hat,” by Gerrit Verstraete, 2012. Cat. No.1221. Wolff’s carbon pencil on Stonehenge Paper ( 22 x 30 in. / 56.7 X 76.4 cm ).