Keep a Stout Heart (Clorinda)

Keep a Stout Heart

"Are you reading your trash novels?" my Beloved Husband will ask whenever he finds me reading. (To tell the truth, I doubt he knows what a trash novel really is.) I do occasionally read historical fiction, but since he is not really a reader, ANY novel is a trash novel! A favorite comedic writer of historical fiction is Georgette Heyer, and I was reading from one of her books the other day as I thought about the finishing touches for this painting that was on my easel. Toward the end of the story, the hero says, "Keep a stout heart, Clorinda," to the heroine (who is NOT named Clorinda), and surprisingly, that sentence stopped me and carried my thoughts out of the book and into 'real life'. 

Gifted.

20 x 16" painted with the finest quality acrylic heavy-body paint on watercolor paper

ready to frame

This painting has been a handful because I have been painting on a different kind of watercolor paper than I am used to. It surprises me how a seemingly small change can take such a lot of adjustment to achieve results that satisfy me. During the time that I have been working on this one, my kids have decided on grad school, (financial burden and overwhelming decision making on their part, as well as packing, moving, etc.), and I have been struggling with some kind of problem with my neck, back and shoulder that has become nearly debilitating. I only mention this because I feel that I subconsciously painted some of these things in this abstract work. Bold shapes, brash brush strokes, unusual (for me) choices all seem to show my struggles. 

(Incidentally, I took this painting with me to a meeting of a group of artists with whom I meet monthly. We peer review each others' work, and I so much appreciate their input! After hearing the title of the work, one of them asked me if the shapes were the 'Stout Hearted Men'. I had not heard of that, so I googled it, and found this clip from an old movie I will have to find and watch.)

I have been reminded of things by my Loving Heavenly Father in many different ways, and I enjoyed His getting my attention through a novel this time. And through a painting. Here is the verse that comes to my mind as I think of how He is taking care of my every need. 

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."