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.

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

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

“Aha!”
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
9 x 11 inches

“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. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

“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. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

“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?

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

“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. Matted & Framed.
9 x 11 inches

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

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.

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

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

“Peach Fuzz & Fire”
Original. Acrylic. Matted & Framed.
11 x 9 inches

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

Thank you!

I am so grateful that you have taken time to look, listen, contemplate, sit with, reflect on, read this exhibition, “Contemplative Springs of Hope.” And my prayer is that you’d find a moment of Beauty that is an arrow of Hope for you.