Journaling – An Invitation to Peace

What Does the Fox Say? an entry from my symbols journal

It’s morning. I’m still caffeinating. I can hear some boy racers with gurgling souped-up engines hitting the limiter. I see the magpies kite between trees. The clouds move fast…cotton swabs fluffing across the blue. I’m blinking. Trying to remember what I wanted to write. But, anyway. I’m here. I’m here imperfectly on the page.

I know some people (because I am some people sometimes, and because my friends and my coaching clients have been some people sometimes) who feel scared about being imperfect.

But, I just feel sick of being scared. I wrote an open letter to fear in my Substack (you can read or listen to it here: https://mollyovenden.substack.com/p/to-my-fears).

I want to be free. I want to notice stuff. I want to see God at work in my life and the lives of those around me. And, I want to live life in abundance, fully alive, fully me, and fully aware.

…

I’ve been taking a course through London Writers’ Salon called, “Write the Signs.” https://community.londonwriterssalon.com/c/news-announcements/the-winter-well-uncovering-symbols-that-guide-your-writing-january-29-march-4-2025
(There might be a self-paced version available.)

And through that, I feel this beckoning to notice more and more…symbols, patterns, recurrences…

…

One of the things I’ve noticed popping up is foxes.

I don’t really know what it means or what I’m meant to pay attention to, if anything in particular, but…it feels good to give space on the page to do some noticing.

A favourite song of mine is, “What Does the Fox Say?” by Ylvis. The music video is wild, it makes me giggle every time. I always have to dance and stop mid-dancing because of the silliness. https://youtu.be/jofNR_WkoCE?si=8KILdE54AicSQXQo

A couple weekends ago, my dear, sweet, bearded furniture-making Englishman husband, Max and I were visiting friends in London and walking back to where we were staying, late at night from the train station. What did we see? A fox! Scrounging in the bins. Skinny little beast. We paused and got quiet, not wanting to cross it. And we just watched.

I remember the first time that I heard a “wild” urban fox–it was horrendous. I’ll never forget the sound. I thought: it’s like a toddler being murdered. I was scared and thought I would have to call the police. That’s horrible. Then I learned what it really was. The fox’s midnight screams sound horrible, violent, haunting, cruel, murderous…

I remember growing up surrounded by taxidermy. One of the pieces was a fox pelt. I wasn’t supposed to, but I used to stroke it as it hung on the wall. It was big. Well, I was small…so, I’m not actually sure the size of it. But, I loved its red hair. So fluffy.

I remember watching Wayne’s World, totally excellent, and the scene when Garth dances and sings to “Foxy Lady” and does little fox ear gestures above his head in time with the song. Classic. So funny. So…totally excellent.

Last week, I was out and about with my best friend (she took me out to a gallery and art shop for a belated birthday gift experience). When I took a break in the bathroom, I looked down as I dried my hands and *gasp* look at those socks! “I love your fox socks!” I smiled at the lady waiting in the queue (and at my unavoidable rhyming). “Oh, really?” She was surprised, “They were a gift and I wasn’t really sure about them, but now that you’ve said…I think I like them!” Well, I liked them for sure. And I was like…ahh! More foxes!

On the same outing, I wandered into the children’s section of the bookshop and came across this book, Fox: A Circle of Life Story by Isabel Thomas and illustrated by Daniel Egnéus. Woodland creatures are historically popular among children’s books…but, as I looked around the bookshop, this was the only one I could see with a fox on it–and there were lots of books I saw!

And, then on the way home, we drove past a string of shops…one of them has a forest green sign back with bright yellow-based-red letters: F-O-X. Hmm… I don’t know whether it was a shop, a front, a pub, or who knows what, but I definitely noticed the fox-ness…the third of the day.

“Pay Attention, Molly!” To what? I’m still not sure. But, this really got me thinking.

Since this day out, I’ve recalled a number of recent and not-too-distant memories relative to foxes.

My art mentor, Marisa Anne Cummings, has an animal wisdom deck and in a recent call, she pulled a card and it was a fox. I hadn’t thought much of it except that I think foxes are cool, I guess.

It did make me think of my hot pads I got for our new apartment a few months ago: there are foxes on the pattern. Max wasn’t super keen on them, but we needed a new set and this was the pattern at the shop that wasn’t…horrible/boring/ugly/stupid/weird…? It was a low bar, but here the foxes have come in useful…handy, actually…hehe.

And, not just in my every day reality–this set of fox hotpads has come in handy in my dreams, too! In my dream in the last month or so, Max and I were sat on the floor next to a robot. We wanted to see how human it was or how human it could be–we weren’t convinced at what’s been worrying society (that robots will overtake humans because they can take on the traits of humans). So, Max, in the dream, wanted to put it to the test to see if the robot would perform a human task: prevent injury or harm. We had a candle in front of us and Max put his finger in the candle–a little at first as it flickered, and then he held it there. The robot didn’t flinch. Max’s finger charred to dead and black. When I’d had enough, having knelt patiently, my hands ready-stowed in my fox oven mitts, I grabbed Max’s burned finger and smothered the fire, then I prayed. “Holy Spirit, Come. I pray that You’d heal Max’s finger in Jesus’ name.” And, I watched the black char disappear slowly and then turn back to flesh. Max’s finger was healed. Thank you, Jesus! And, then I woke up.

I’m also aware of foxes that surround me in one way or another:
My friend, Lindsey has a substack called “Fox in the Dark” and when I searched for it to confirm I hadn’t mis-remembered, one of my favourite poets popped up, too: Mary Oliver has a poem called “A Fox in the Dark.”

As I am seeking more poetry to be inspired by and to read more spiritual poetry, I was recommended to read Wendell Berry, and then out of the blue a friend quoted a Wendell Berry poem that has a line about being like the fox who makes more tracks than are necessary.

I also remember that my mom got fox slippers for Christmas one year–they are each designed to be worn on a particular foot so that the bum of the fox and the head of the fox are on the outside and the midsection connects when you put your feet together, but sometimes she’s put them on the wrong feet and her grandchildren giggle.

On Friday morning, last week, I was in a coffee shop, writing poetry for people on my vintage typewriter and a little boy caught my eye. He had shiny brown hair in a sort of bowl-cut/mushroom cut hairstyle like I did at his tiny age of three or four. He had so many words–like me–and, he was playing heroes. I heard his mum say he wants to dress up like a fox, so she was going to find him a costume. Then, the little boy shouted, “Fantastic Mr Fox!” It made me smile.

And, then, I remembered about 10 years ago in a small group prayer time with friends from church, we did this activity. We prayed that God would give us a word or picture for someone in the group, without knowing who it’d be for. Then, we wrote the words we felt like God might have said on a piece of paper, folded it up, and threw it into a pile with all of the others in the centre of the room. When everyone had finished, we took a moment in silence to pray again silently and ask God which piece of paper we should grab–like, which maybe had the word on it for me, individually.

I picked up my piece of paper and it was, to my surprise, the piece of paper I’d written on. I was disappointed because I had no idea what I meant. What had I written? “Fantastic Mr Fox.” When I shared my disappointment and confusion with my friend (whose house we were gathered at), she ran up to her child’s bedroom and grabbed a book…their family copy of “Fantastic Mr Fox.” She said, she thought it was a word that was less about the book itself and more about what the cover said, “award winning children’s book author.” Maybe that was the word for me, she wondered.

It’s interesting, having forgotten about that book, and having it pop up in the coffee shop from the voice of a small child. It’s intriguing, having forgotten about this prophetic prayer exercise over a decade ago…because about two years ago, I took a children’s book writing course, taught by a children’s book editor from a major publishing house. And the story I wrote was about Skunky (my childhood stuffed animal toy, a skunk) and Jim (my husband’s childhood stuffed animal toy…a fox).

And here, I am a writer.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to note or pay attention to exactly here. There are a lots of connections I could make…and I think there’s a lot that’s still percolating here.

Many people over time have noted that as humans, we are “meaning-making machines.” So, there are lots of meanings I could make here about all of the foxes.

But, I’m just not sure what I need to know, long-term.

For, now, I think it’s safe to conclude…so, what does the fox say?

“Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!
Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow!”

…among other things.

Who knows what other symbols and patterns I might notice. Who knows what other connections I’ll experience as I’m intentional to pay attention to signs, symbols, repetition in theme in my life.

Travel Journal Tips

Travel Journal Tips: So you’re planning a cool trip–or, even a work trip. What if you kept a record of your time “on the road”? For many of us, we have good intentions to document, but either we forget without a plan or, we are overzealous and overwhelmed by how and how often to do so.

By the end of this quick piece, you will have several unique opportunities to try travel journaling for your next trip, along with inspiration from trips of my own.

There are many different ways to keep a travel journal. If you’re like me, you start off excited on Day 1 with a written journal entry written at midnight detailing every place you went, person you saw, food you ate, fun fact you learned.

By Day 3, you’ve written how tired you are and manage a couple of scrawled lines about something uninteresting and Days 4-6 you forgot you were keeping a travel journal for your special, long-awaited trip.

…And, by Day 12, you’ve been home, unpacked, and forgot you even were on a trip because you need another vacation. If you’d like to keep a travel journal that’s not so complicated, read on.

Here are a few ideas to simplify a travel journal so its fun and manageable. Be intentional about a theme for your journal. This means you will have pre-decided which details to include because they are the most important to you.
1. Collect images and thoughts around a certain theme in your notes app.
2. When you think of someone while you’re traveling, send them a postcard or photo with a text.
3. Do a daily post on social media with minimal captions.
4. Try a weekly reflection (instead of daily) and highlight memories from the week.
5. Record cultural “oops” moments that made the travel memorable.

1. I love to collect photos and thoughts about certain themes, like: circles, coffee, architectural features, the color blue, food, etc.
I love wandering old cities and looking down and up to notice what’s different from usual. Journaling about these differences simply to create captions is really easy. Paying attention to graffiti art and vandalism can spark curiosity and help you see a normal street from a unique perspective–like how spray paint works on a brick building versus the smooth curves of a Royal Mail Post Box.

2. If you Think: “Oh, I wish so-and-so was here!” write them a note or take a photo for them.
I love circles and collect photos of circles on streets, architecture, art, and design. But, it’s especially fun to receive text messages and post cards from my friends while they are away traveling–that have circles they found that made them think of me. Travel journaling is about capturing the moment of being away. Often we keep journaling to ourselves, but it can be enriching when we share it with others. This can be part of building flourishing relationships.

3. Do a daily “post on social” with minimal caption words.
This can literally be the highlight reel of your common themes that you’re focusing on. Maybe you watch the sunrise every day from the different places you’re staying. This along with a few notes of your favorite meal or coffee you enjoyed could be a fun way to share, but also to journal in a way that is sustainable.

4. Writing a weekly reflection journal entry could help you remember the important moments.
Maybe jotting down mileage walked and temperature highs and lows could help jog your memory as to how you spent the week. But you could also use reflection questions like:

-I most loved (LOCATION) because of its (BLANK).
-I enjoyed (BLANK), but I’d like to come back so I can (BLANK).
-I wish I had (BLANK).
-I remember when (PERSON) did (BLANK).
-I hope in 10 years, I remember (BLANK).

A helpful way to inform this type of reflection when travelling to a new place is to find a walking tour. This photo below is of me posing with a walking tour guide in London, in January 2023–we are in a spot where the Beatles famously posed for the photo the guide is holding. Walking tour have built in highlights for discovery and reflection.

5. Record cultural “oops!” moments.
Particularly when you are abroad in a foreign culture, but sometimes it can happen regionally, you will likely make a cultural mistake. For me, that happened when I first moved to England, thinking that fruit salad was a main course addition to a meal.

I thought this because for 25 years of my life, my mom had brought and served fruit salad during the main course. Well, I learned that in England, fruit salad is for dessert (I mean, pudding!) and isn’t meant to even be on the table during the main meal.

Another cultural “oops!” I encountered was also in England, involving crossing the street. At busy intersections there are pedestrian areas with big signs painted on the floor, often with arrows, “LOOK RIGHT” so that people familiar with road systems that are based on left-hand drive cars (like America), will know to look the opposite way before crossing the street. I’ve stepped out into the lane of oncoming traffic many times in my travels to the UK–especially when I was just visiting.

Some prompts for journaling cultural moments:
-I thought it was normal to have (BLANK – type of food), but it turns out it’s (BLANK) instead.
-I thought someone said, “(BLANK),” but they really said/meant “(BLANK).”
-I had an odd interaction with someone in the (LOCATION) today when (BLANK) happened.

Whenever I travel, I love to keep records of the vehicles and types of transportation I use. Whether I’m running and I photograph and jot a note of where I ran and what it felt like, or I’m flying over an ocean and record snippets of overheard conversation, all of these pieces can be great for travel journaling.

Other Ideas:
-Record bird sounds and names–you could use an app like Merlin.

-Use a sketch book to record architecture, landscapes, people, or patterns.

-Capture all the flowers or trees and add a couple of facts about the flora.

-Write a summary of how you moved around the places you visited–perhaps, include a map. Or, if you run, you could record notes in a running app like Strava.

-If you attend a concert, show, art exhibit, history museum, play, keep the ticket stub or program in a scrapbook and write a few words or phrases to help you remember.

I hope you feel inspired to keep a travel journal–some sort of record of where you’ve been and what you’ve experienced, so that you can truly remember your time. It’s important to rest, and if you’re like me, it’s so easy to rush through all the beauty and peace in order to chase “it all.” But, so often this ends in exhaustion and wishing you’d never gone away in the first place.

And, if you’re able to share your traveling with someone you love, maybe you can (like my best friend and I do) take photos of each other taking photos of things. That’s a really fun way to record our travels.

Have fun and happy travel journaling!

Peach Fuzz & Fire

🔴 sold –Peach Fuzz & Fire
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to
View Gallery + Purchase Art

Listen to “Peach Fuzz & Fire” here.

How did it get this title? I love peaches and their fuzzy squish. The edges of each of these squareish scrapes are not sharp–they have a gentle fuzz. The lift-off of paint is minor and creates just an edge of blue, like the spherical, though fuzzed edge of a peach. And, the colors are similar to peaches I’ve enjoyed eating. Oh–and, especially the top right square looks like flames to me!

Something I love about this painting…is that it has orange and peach and dusty mauve colors. They weren’t colors, at the time of painting this piece, that I usually chose to include. But, when someone viewed an exhibit of mine, they shared an observation: Molly, you don’t really paint with orange, do you? I hadn’t realized! So, I started to introduce warmer colors and this is such a fun result! I also experimented by off-setting the scrapes: I love the experience of how the negative space changes.

“Peach Fuzz & Fire”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
gushing juices
of fruits in season,
tapping toes giddy
in queues eternal–
that sweetness,
so worth it,
a delicious reason!

oh, to eat them:
these long-awaited
peaches, dripping
tastebud joy.

encircled by friends,
sharing slurps,
laughing stories
around a starry-skied
crackling summer fire
everyone prays
shan’t ever end…

Try this:
Take a couple of slow breaths to become present in this moment and invite Holy Spirit to come while you observe this painting, “Peach Fuzz & Fire.”

What do you notice about the textures the paint makes in this piece?

God, why am I drawn most to this particular type of texture?

Consider the descriptions alongside the piece–what the artist loves and where the title comes from: How does connecting with the artist through her words create meaning as you experience this painting?

God, where might I be longing for fire to be rekindled? Or extinguished?

Abba, Father, thank You for loving me as I spend time seeking You now.

Sunshine & Sherbet

“Sunshine & Sherbet”
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to Purchase
“Sunshine & Sherbet”

Listen to “Sunshine & Sherbet” here.

How did it get this title? It looks like a glorious summer day with high up, wispy clouds in the all blue and then there’s this bright spot of yellow joy the color of both a sugary lemon sherbet and of sunshine.

Something I love about this painting…that while I tend to go for a warm yellow, this one is much cooler–and, I love the effect. And when I take a moment to really look at this painting, I love how many different combinations of blues and yellows there are without fully making green.

“Sunshine & Sherbet”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
Trampoline imaginings–free!
Those summer days
Way before I reached my teens.

Bouncing to fly–high!
Those summer dreams
Way before youth washed away.

June till August scheming–please!
Those summer ice creams,
Long walks on the beach,
Hiking trails through leafy trees,
Swimming with lake fish
Or, salty creatures from the sea.

Tender dancing–glee!
Those summer firefly nights
Way before autumn beckons
–it’s sunshine and sherbet
Memories to create for me.

Try this:
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and pause for another couple breaths as you look at this painting called, “Sunshine & Sherbet.”

What do you notice about the perspective created in this piece?

God, where in my life might You want me to find a new balance?

Consider the title or the poem alongside this painting: Can you see the poem happening in the painting? What other stories do you see happening in the painting?

God, what might You want to show me about the stories I tell myself about my life?

Holy Spirit, thank You for guiding me in this time of prayer and contemplation.

Yellow, you get me.

“Yellow, you get me.” Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed. 9 x 11 inches

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“Yellow, you get me.”

Listen to “Yellow, You Get Me.” here.
https://youtu.be/FgITydzss0w

How did it get this title? Yellow is joyful, triumphant, light, and fun. I want to be joyful, triumphant, light, and fun! So, I feel like yellow understands who I am and who I hope to be. I hope that it could be an encouragement to others who see this painting.

Something I love about this painting…is the fact that it is yellow. Because I love yellow! I always say that all of the colors are my favorite, but I think that yellow might actually be my favorite. It’s so happy!

“Yellow, You Get Me.”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
In a world
Where Lonely curls
Cosy in at home,
Feigning
Acceptance when
We all feel alone–

In a world
Where risking honest
Words aloud screams
Retreating
Obscurity when
We all feel misunderstood–

It’s a smile.
It’s a nod.
It’s a “hello”
Each today
That dulls in
Streaks of grey…
It’s a welcome home
Greeting, of gratitude
And joyous relief:
“Yellow, you get me!”

Try this:
Take a couple of slow breaths to become present in this moment and invite Holy Spirit to come while you observe this painting, “Yellow, You Get Me!”

Which square are you drawn to? Are you drawn to more than one because of how they connect? Because of something else?

God, what might You want to say to me about this collection of shapes?

How does your response to the negative space (where paint isn’t) differ from your response to the positive space (where paint is)?

God, what might You want to show me through my response?

Jesus, thank You for being with me in this moment of prayer.

Breakers

“Original. Acrylic. Matted. 10 x 10 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to Purchase
“Breakers”

Listen to “Breakers” here.

Something I love about this painting is…the way the negative white space holds the wave droplets of blue from the bottom right square scrape. This is one of my “Scrapings” and one of the things I love about this process of painting is how unpredictable it is. It’s always a practice of freedom from control and perfectionism. This favorite part of mine is there only because I let go of control. I love the squelch of acrylic paint and how it squishes and then when I lift off my scraper, there’s some cool pattern left over.

The meaning behind the title is…my parents and I went to an RV marina resort in central Minnesota when I was about 10-13 years old. It was called “Breakers.” I learned to fish out there on Lake Mille Lacs and I loved staying in our Airstream trailer and doing stuff by the water. Breakers are the waves that break against the land. You can see the whitecaps (which is partly played out in the white negative space of this piece) of the breakers and it just reminds me of happy summers with my mom.

“Breakers”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
Riding edges of water

smooth glass mirrors
seagulls flitter disturbing
calm into waves

walleye leap munching,
surface ‘squitos hover,
perch feast bubbling,
humid mayflies dance,
northern pike fighting,
slimy leeches slither
calm into waves

foamy white ripples
eagles rest observing
active waters cascade

sapphires ebb to wake
loons laugh beckoning
calm into waves
into crashing breakers’ spray

Riding edges of water

Try this:
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and pause for another couple breaths as you look at this painting called, “Breakers.”

Which part are you drawn to most: The straight, clean edge of the top squares? Or, the uneven edge of the bottom squares?

God, why might this stand out to me today?

How do you respond to this collection of blues?

God, what might You want to say to me about this color?

Thank You, God, for being with me in this moment of reflection.

Contemplative Springs of Hope

An interactive journaling, contemplative prayer, poetry, and artwork exhibition: created and curated by Molly Ovenden.

Molly Ovenden is a prolific typewriter poet, visual artist, creative mentor, who loves sharing journaling prompts in order to get closer to God as a spiritual practice.

Welcome to “Contemplative Springs of Hope.”

Thank you so much for being here!
I’m so delighted to get to share Beauty and Hope, through art, poetry, and contemplative reflections, with you from wherever you are around the world.

Breakers, an original painting by Molly Ovenden

Featured Artwork

“Breakers” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Aha” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Turquoise Sunshine” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“When Evening Comes” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Ephemeral Iridescence” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Yellow, You Get Me” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Sunshine & Sherbet” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Peach Fuzz & Fire” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

(Note: You can watch the above 25 seconds of quick, time lapsed walkthrough to get a glimpse of the feel of the exhibition here.)

With prayerful joy, Molly shares “Contemplative Springs of Hope” as an offering of creativity and Beauty–as an arrow of Hope that point to Jesus. No matter your faith background, she hopes that you take a moment to pause and reflect on the paintings and the poems.

Perhaps you will become aware of something sacred in your life. Maybe you will notice a fresh experience of Holy Spirit presence and guidance. You might even feel a well of Hope bubbling up as a living spring as you contemplate what’s before you in this gallery.

Visio Divina is an Ignatian spiritual practice of finding God and the sacred in art and in nature by contemplating on the visual. It’s a practice of invitation to slow down, to really look and look again, and to notice what you see, visually as well as in your being–emotionally, as memories or thoughts well up.

No matter what you experience, how engaged you are here, or what you get out of the art, poetry, and prompts, Molly hopes you will feel full of Hope when you leave this space.

(Note: You may choose to experience the gallery exhibition in a slower pace than the time lapsed video earlier. You can watch and pause this video here with the chatter and bustle of Sunday morning gathering and giddiness.)

What is VISIO DIVINA?

Click here to find out more of how to engage.

When we look at Art, often within one to two seconds we’ve decided, “I don’t get it. I love it. I don’t like it. That’s cool. I like it. I hate it. I don’t understand art.” And whatever declaration we make about the piece, we simply move on without much thought.

In school we tend to experience and learn about Art (if we learn about Art, at all) in its parts and pieces: elements and principles. We learn to label color, line, texture, pattern, balance, contrast, and we practice treating Art like we do in Biology while dissecting frogs.

Here are all of the pieces taken apart…but, what do we do with them? How do we put them back together? What am I meant to do? How do I create and notice beauty with all of…this mess?

Art may be a source of discouragement or hurt for you. You are invited.

“Artist” may be a title you courageously call yourself. You are invited.

Poetry may be a mystery that baffles and distances you. You are invited.

“Writer” may be a title you comfortably use to identify yourself. You are invited.

Maybe you used to love art or words, but an important person in your life–a parent, a teacher, a close friend–laughed at you, said your words were crap, or that being creative and expressing emotions was a waste of time…or, even just plain wrong.

Maybe you know Art is Beauty and you co-create with the Creator of the universe. You’ve studied it, been published, shared your creative work regularly–received positive responses from your collectors and readers…and you’ve found that Art is part of who you are.

But, what if you responded “Yes” to this invitation to search for the sacred and connect with Our Heavenly Father through Art and Beauty in Nature? What if you began to see Beauty as an Arrow of Hope, pointing to Jesus? What if you paused for a couple of breaths to notice God in Art?

Visio Divina is a contemplative prayer practice from Ignatian Spirituality which invites the viewer of art to ponder and dwell with a piece of art for a bit longer than normal. It’s an invitation to notice and experience the sacred, the divine, to see our Creator God in the art. And, it’s an invitation to wait on Holy Spirit to reveal something fresh to us through Beauty–in Art, in Nature.

“Breakers”
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
10 x 10 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to Purchase
“Breakers”

“Breakers” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

“Breakers”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
Riding edges of water

smooth glass mirrors
seagulls flitter disturbing
calm into waves

walleye leap munching,
surface ‘squitos hover,
perch feast bubbling,
humid mayflies dance,
northern pike fighting,
slimy leeches slither
calm into waves

foamy white ripples
eagles rest observing
active waters cascade

sapphires ebb to wake
loons laugh beckoning
calm into waves
into crashing breakers’ spray

Riding edges of water

Try this:
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and pause for another couple breaths as you look at this painting called, “Breakers.”

Which part are you drawn to most: The straight, clean edge of the top squares? Or, the uneven edge of the bottom squares?

God, why might this stand out to me today?

How do you respond to this collection of blues?

God, what might You want to say to me about this color?

Thank You, God, for being with me in this moment of reflection.

“Aha!”
Original. Acrylic. Unframed with Matte.
9 x 11 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to Purchase
“Aha!”

“Aha” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

How did it get this title? Once I’d held up the matt to “find” the painting, I had a physical reaction, like a gasp–like an, “Aha!” moment of joy and discovery. It’s called what it did to me and for me.

Something I love about this painting…is how many colors are used without being muddy. I love the deep blue at the bottom next to the turquoise. I love the metallic shimmer throughout. I love the warmth of peace. I love how the white actually participates within each square–not just as a backdrop. I love how it still makes me gasp with joyful realization long after I created it.

“Aha!”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
I’ve been waiting
I’ve been wishing
I’ve been exploring
I want that moment
To come in surprise
To shock me alive
To ignite my soul
–without any warning!

I’ve been praying
Through cloudy nights
I’ve been pleading
Through foggy days
I’ve been waiting
In Hope until morning

“Aha!”

When my eyes brim
From tears as Beauty
In sunrise blazing peachy-blue
And I praise
In a gasp of solitude.

Try this:
Take a couple of slow breaths to become present in this moment and invite Holy Spirit to come while you observe this painting, “Aha!”

Which square are you drawn to? What do you notice about how the colors mix together?

God, what might You want to say to me about this mixture of colors?

How does your response to the negative space (where paint isn’t) differ from your response to the positive space (where paint is)?

God, what might You want to show me through my response?

Jesus, thank You for being with me in this moment of prayer.

“Turquoise Sunshine”
Original. Acrylic. Unframed with Matte.
11 x 9 inches

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“Turquoise Sunshine”

“Turquoise Sunshine” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

How did it get this title? Haha–isn’t it obvious? Just kidding! This angle of scrapes lends itself to suggesting movement–but, a very slight and gentle movement. It’s this same kind of impression I feel on a cool, summer day with sunshine streaming through the shade of some old tree–the light changes–and so do the colors and leaves.

Something I love about this painting…is the gentle movement. I really love it. I love the puffs of white that subtly make them selves known, like clouds on a blue sky canvas of summer sunshine. I also like how clean it feels. And although the yellow use here is mainly like lemonade, I love the little blip of egg yolk in the upper left edge of the piece.

“Turquoise Sunshine”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
Sun cream smeared,
–check!
Beach lounger secured,
–check!
Snazziest sunglasses donned,
–check!

Eyes closed in sunshine,
Imagination dreaming peace,
Deep breaths inhaled
–a pause…
Cleansing breaths released.

Sun hat? Shading perfection,
Cool breeze? Gentle direction,
Camera ready? Indeed!
With views sans obstruction.

A moment by the water
Could be turquoise by the sea,
Or simply: an afternoon
Near my neighborhood pond.
–just sunshine–
And, you and me!

Try this:
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and pause for another couple breaths as you look at this painting called, “Turquoise Sunshine.”

What do you notice about the angle of this piece?

God, where in my life might You want to show me a different perspective?

Consider the title or the poem alongside this painting: Can you see the poem happening in the painting? What other stories do you see happening in the painting?

God, what might You want to show me about the stories I tell myself about my life?

Holy Spirit, thank You for guiding me in this time of prayer and contemplation.

“When Evening Comes”
Original. Acrylic. Unframed with Matte.
11 x 9 inches

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“When Evening Comes”

“When Evening Comes” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

How did it get this title? In Yorkshire, the latitude is further north than in Minnesota, so the angle of light is different. As an island, Great Britain is surrounded by unique cloud cover. This also alters the quality of light as it dissipates. The rapeseed fields of most delightful yellow thrill my eyes–especially at the low light of sunset. That is the moment I see captured in this piece.

Something I love about this painting…EVERYTHING! THe yellow is exactly the yellow of my favourite fields. There’s an indigo-purple-blue situation in the top ⅔ of six scrapes of squares. I love the “sloppiness” of the twilight and how light and shadow interact with the progression of day into night.

“When Evening Comes”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden
When evening comes…
Today’s fun must pause:
Resetting.
Returning.
Putting it all away.

When evening comes…
Night’s fears may threaten:
Swallowing.
Isolating.
Mocking insecurities stay.

When evening comes…
Resting Beauty winks indoors:
Basking.
Mesmerising.
Standing in awe, awake.

When Evening comes…
This moment’s choice to follow:
Seeking Truth.
Pursuing Life.
Holding Hope for Day when it’s Night,
Or choosing lesser that leaves one hollow–

When evening comes…
May there be pondering peace
And intentions of gratitude.

Try this:
Take a couple of slow breaths to become present in this moment and invite Holy Spirit to come while you observe this painting, “When Evening Comes.”

What do you notice about the textures the paint makes in this piece?

God, why am I drawn most to this particular type of texture?

God, where might I be longing for connection with someone in a relationship that has gone dark into the evening?

Abba, Father, thank You for loving me as I spend time seeking You now.

“Ephemeral Iridescence”🔴 SOLD
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
10 x 10 inches

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“Ephemeral Iridescence”

🔴SOLD “Ephemeral Iridescence” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

How did it get this title? According to lexicom/com Ephemeral, is defined as “lasting for a short time…(chiefly of plants) having a short life cycle” and iridescence, defined as “Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.” Noticing beauty in nature is really important to me; sometimes it is fleeting, but the beauty in nature is always a gift from God.

Something I love about this painting is…the pastel shades and the way that each of these four squares in this “Scraping” create the white, negative space of the white canvas paper, creating a cross that’s slightly at a jaunty angle.

“Ephemeral Iridescence”
A Poem By: Molly Ovenden

trying to catch
a leprechaun
left a trail:
golden glitter
through each hall
then gone

trying to recall
a dream
left a whisper
strange memory
through the mind
then gone

trying to hold
a hope
left a yearning:
yet unanswered
through caverns of grief
then gone

trying to kindle
a friendship
left a sweetness:
imprinted the soul
through lifetimes of love
–a season ephemeral,
fleeting though valued
–a grace iridescent,
glimmering through raised palms

Try this:
Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths. Then, open your eyes and pause for another couple breaths as you look at this painting called, “Ephemeral Iridescence.”

Which part are you drawn to most: The vertical or horizontal space between squares? Or, the space where the paint is?

God, why might this particular detail stand out to me today?

What do you notice about your emotional reaction to these shades of colors?

God, what might You want to say to me about these colors?

Thank You, God, for being with me in this moment of reflection.

“Yellow, you get me.”
Original. Acrylic. Unframed with Matte.
9 x 11 inches

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“Yellow, you get me.”

“Yellow, You Get Me” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.

It’s a smile.
It’s a nod.
It’s a “hello”
Each today
That dulls in
Streaks of grey…
It’s a welcome home
Greeting, of gratitude
And joyous relief:
“Yellow, you get me!”

Try this:
Take a couple of slow breaths to become present in this moment and invite Holy Spirit to come while you observe this painting, “Yellow, You Get Me!”

Which square are you drawn to? Are you drawn to more than one because of how they connect? Because of something else?

God, what might You want to say to me about this collection of shapes?

How does your response to the negative space (where paint isn’t) differ from your response to the positive space (where paint is)?

God, what might You want to show me through my response?

Jesus, thank You for being with me in this moment of prayer.

“Sunshine & Sherbet”
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

Become a Collector:
Click Here to Purchase
“Sunshine & Sherbet”

“Sunshine & Sherbet” a painting and poem with spiritual reflection
– Listen here & watch here.