“Vase of Flowers”

from collection 50 Oil Paintings Inspired by my Christian Faith

This art was painted for the children’s book “Nana Plays”.

This oil painting was created for a children’s book called “Nana Plays”. It is a very short story, told in few words, about my youngest daughter visiting Mom when I was Mom’s caregiver. The story is now told, which was important to me in a way that I can’t really put into words. When I see the oil paintings (even though most are simplistic, for children’s illustrations), I know that our journey with Mom is not forgotten. This oil painting “Vase of Flowers” is the art that stands apart from the children’s book, as a piece that should be included here in this collection 50 Oil Paintings Inspired by my Christian Faith.

It was painted from memory of the cut flowers that I would give to Mom at each visit. At the time we lived in rural Minnesota, where the weather is brutal and the growing season is short. My roses shouldn’t have lasted as long as they did, but somehow, they- and a variety of other flowers- continued to bloom for months longer than expected. I had a strong spiritual sense that my flowers would bloom until they were no longer needed, and that is what happened. These flowers kept us going. Bringing a little life and color into Mom’s space was very important to me. It was like a vase of hope- a piece of me, of what I love, what drives me, my passion for life- to Mom, to keep her going, to visually show her that she is loved.

Freshly cut flowers are powerful to many people, and it may be difficult to explain why. I find art to be a language that fills in the gaps when we can’t quite put into words what we feel. It’s as if we don’t have enough words to fully express the depth of our emotions. In this way, both flowers and art work together to heal that gap

Watch Natalie paint “Vase of Flowers”