CREATING SPACE TO LISTEN
Christine Labrum
Artist & Spiritual Director
DRAWINGS WITH TEXT
I will Allure Her
Pen and ink/Watercolors
May 2013
11 x 14 in
“Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt.“In that day,” declares the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked.” Hosea 2:14-17
Emerging
Oil painting (original sold - prints available)
January 2014
5x7 in
One weekend while I was on retreat I made a rough oil pastel sketch of a butterfly coming out of its chrysalis. I was experiencing the hope that stirs after a dark and difficult season. The Light was shining into the darkness. This is an oil paiting reworking that image. I am continually struck by the beauty God works in our lives when we yield suffering, darkness, challenges, and grief to Him. It may be a long journey, but as we continually draw near to God there is hope. Although God may seem hidden God is always there.
Free to Fly
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
May 2013
8 x 10 in and 11 x 14 in
The day after my brother died in 2009 my husband and I walked the block and a half to his apartment. As we walked down our street a monarch flew directly in front of us. It seemed to be flying in slow motion and landed in the grass across the street. It sat very still and allowed me to nudge it into my hand. We walked the short distance back to our house and Mark took a picture of it in my hands. Then I set it on the flowers in front of my house and my husband took another picture of the beautiful creature.
Now, after reading a bit about butterflies, I think this one may have been just out of its chrysalis, still stretching and drying its wings. After it sat on the flowers for a short while it suddenly flew. This butterfly reminds me of those significant transitions where God moves us from a caterpillar existence into transformation. The creature enters the darkness of the chrysalis, eventually is released from that small dark place with no little effort, and then hesitates as it stretches and dries its wings. Finally, she takes flight with new freedom.
His Hands
Pastels/Watercolors/Acrylic
2012
8 x 10 in
(original sold, prints available)
“We are the clay, You are the Potter.” Isaiah 64:8
The Potter places the clay on the wheel and sets the wheel in motion. At his command the wheel begins to spin. The wheel spins and strong unyielding hands apply firm pressure to the lump of clay. Round and round the wheel whirls. He presses into the center and his hands create a well. The clay yields to steady strength. The potter’s hands press and pull and the clay takes form spinning through purposeful fingers.
Do the hands of God press deep and pull high to create a vessel to fill with more of Himself. Will I yield to the discomfort of being transformed? Will I celebrate the joy of being formed by the Master?
Invitation to Wait
Watercolors
2010
8 x 10 in
This image reminds me of God's invitation to be still with Him in the spiritual season of winter. Winter is a time when growth is not evident, and many tree limbs are bare. It may feel desolate as we await the return of visible life in spring. Life has not ceased...but this is fallow time, a time of waiting. Although the darkness is longer in winter, the light does remain. I need to place myself in the light and trust as I wait.
Vine and Branches
Pen and Ink/Watercolors
2013
8 x 10 in
This drawing was done reflecting on the image in John 15 of the vine and the branches. Jesus said, "I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener... Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."