Lotus Lessons (2025)

This piece began, as many of mine do, on an early morning walk, this time on the Chonnam University campus in Gwangju, South Korea. My husband and I had an extended visit there while he taught a class this summer, allowing us almost 6 weeks with my daughter, her husband and our granddaughter, now 4 1/2.

While I was familiar with waterlilies, I had never encountered lotus blossoms in full bloom, especially not in all their glory as the early morning sun caused them to practically glow from within! I snapped some reference photos and went home to research the relevance of lotus plants in Asian culture.

I was delighted to learn that, in Asian art and culture, lotus flowers symbolize rebirth and renewal--what an amazing connection to my Christian faith that is also centered on rebirth and renewal! Additionally, the glowing flowers reveal a light source that is beyond the confines of the image. Similarly, my life is illuminated by the Light of the World, the One who leaves a trail of evidence as to His existence in His people and in His Creation.

I love finding ways to connect with my granddaughter's mixed heritage. On this trip, I picked up more traditional Hanji paper, intent on creating artwork based on that experience. For the past couple years, I have been using Hanji paper mixed with acrylic paint to create a "semi-realism" that helps me express complicated feelings about my connection to this faraway land. It is a place that in many ways seems strangely familiar, yet, at times, so unsettlingly different.

This technique also helps me loosen up and enjoy the creative journey, rather than be overly stifled by perfectionism and the finished product. Every artist struggles with the "messy middle," when the hypercritic in each of us begins to doubt and collapse in frustration. But I recall a specific moment in the creation of this piece, when I heard a whisper, "You can always add more Hanji paper," and when I did, I took great delight in the joy and freedom that little change provided in the trajectory of the work.

If you look closely, you will see every stage of the lotus blossom portrayed in this work, from bud, to blossom, to aging blossom, to the resulting seed pod, and all of them are beautiful. I was reminded that there is joy in every stage of the journey, and God is not through with me yet! His renewing work in my life is evidence of His faithful presence. He is reminding me that it is more important to focus on being faithful than on being "successful," and in so doing, I can enjoy every part of life's journey, celebrating progress and faithfulness.

Has this post helped you reframe some issues in your own journey? I would love to hear what you're thinking--please drop me a comment if you're willing!