The Painter's Palette
by: Kathi Toups
Copyrighted 11/10/01
The room was redolent with smells of paint, thinner, and turpentine.
Sunlight shone brightly into the bay windows encased on all four
sides of the enclosure, ensuring 'perfect' lighting at all times.
This was a wondrous room, befitting an artist of his renown.
Completed portraits sat as sentinels along the walls and hung on
every inch of space the room afforded. He smiled as he surveyed
his completed works. There before his eyes were the miracles of
his life's work, his creations, perhaps not perfect to the eye of
other beholders, but to him, sublime. Slowly he walked around the
room, pausing before each checking for flaws or blemishes overlooked.
After circling the perimeter, satisfied with all, he proceeded to
the center of the room. He scrutinized the prepared canvas searching
for anything that might hinder his creative flow. Then he moved on
to the table that held unopened tubes of paint, an empty palette,
and all the brushes needed for this project.
He picked up the clean and empty palette, then paused. He began
speaking as though to himself yet, he knew he was not alone. It
always helped his creativity by speaking aloud that which
he
envisioned beforehand. Each word helped the 'birthing' process along.
Next, he opened his paints. Carefully he chose his colors: brown,
black, white, blue, green, and yellow, all forming a circle, which
to him represented the circle of life. In the center
of the circle,
he placed a dab of red - dark, bright - like blood.
The next step he referred to as the gestational stage.
Using a charcoal pencil, he sketched in lines, shapes,
and forms - shadowy, embryonic illusions - hinting at what
was to come. After completing this step, he once
again paused. Tilting his head first right, then
left, he reached out his finger to smudge a few
lines here and there. These smudges would
represent the imperfect world into which his
creation would be born.
He finally picked up the paint-laden palette.
From here, his masterpiece would emerge. With black,
he filled in the outline. Still speaking to his unseen
audience, the story of the vision he had for the
incomplete portrait he told. He regaled how the brown
represented the dirt from which man stems. Hills and
valleys - the difficulties we all face - he designed
in carefully. Against a blue sky, he added gray clouds
for the overcast days ahead. He painted in green grass
and trees to remind others each spring a renewal takes
place. A sun of vibrant yellow reflected the glory
of each new day.
At first glance, it appeared to be a background he
was painting but upon closer inspection, the features
of a face were taking on a more realistic form. He then
blended all the colors together and painted in the more
distinguishing features. First, he painted in eyes,
soulful and wounded, yet able to sparkle with life and
joy. A nose, turned up in disdain or looking down on
someone, but also classic when not affronted. The mouth
turned up in a winsome smile but could just as easily
frown in despair. Cheekbones; high, low or sunken,
they changed mysteriously on their own. A pair of ears,
that would hear or perhaps not. Finally hair, again
mysteriously, that changed color, texture, and length
with each new glance.
Now the painter's palette lay devoid of all color.
As he gazed upon his nearly completed work, he beamed,
exuberantly pleased with his creation.
He put the final touch to the portrait, His palm print
that left a bright red spot representing both His name
and the blood He shed in order to purchase the canvas.
In addition, on the back He gave the portrait a name
- YOURS -
written in the same red signifying the blood He shed for YOU.
You see, you came forth from "The Painter's Palette" and
the artist is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. He
drew you in His mind and heart long before you actually
came into existence and spoke you into being along with the
Father and Holy Spirit. He considers you a master
piece.
Regardless of past or present circumstances, you are His creation
and in you, He takes delight. What you perceive as
blemishes He believes only enhances your beauty. Since
He is the Master Artist, will you trust and accept
yourself as He does?
To Him, you are a perfect portrait.
This beautiful story was written by Kathi Toups
and is copyrighted 11/10/01. Copying or reprinting is strictly
prohibited without the author's consent. You may contact
Kathi at reflectivecollections@cox-internet.com
Visit her Inspirational Website by clicking HERE to read
more of her beautiful poetry and short stories.
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