FEATURED: Practicing Resurrection: Art and Meditation

by Hannah Sanders

Practicing Resurrection by Hannah Sanders

PRACTICING RESURRECTION

Art is an area of my life that sustained an injury last summer. Much of my focus and energy went into healing the wound and working through grief, while also being launched into a new arena – learning the ropes to be an AP teacher. I gave myself several excuses for why I couldn’t pick my art up again. Art does require hours of focus, and care for my supplies would take additional time after engaging in the creative process - time I told myself I didn’t have. Some of that was true. The new areas of growth needed time and focus so I could develop new skills. But honest self-examination would reveal that there were pockets of time where I was numbing grief and pain through mindless, unwanted activity. I needed the Lord to reawaken my desire to create, and I needed to give in to the healing He was bringing into my life, even through the creative process and by surrounding me with people that would continue to awaken and deepen my love for the arts. And so, submitting this piece to the journal is an answer to that prayer and an act of gratitude for this community at The Way Back to Ourselves.

I’ve been thinking a lot about living intentionally, reflecting on the words Memento Mori. Remember you must die, so remember you must live fully. I ask myself, “What would I do differently each day if I knew it was the last day of my life?” As an apprentice of Jesus, I look to Him for my answer. 

On the last day of His life, Jesus loved His friends and washed their feet. 

Perhaps this is a way to die daily – wash the feet of the dear ones around me, even the one that will walk out into the cool of night to betray me. I wrap my apron around myself and give Jesus my hands. A meal, a cup of tea, a drawing, a painting, a caress. The day’s last act before dying looks different each day. I’m given the grace to wake up and try again each day. Lest I fret about perfection, Wendell Berry’s words ring clear, “Be like the fox that makes more tracks than necessary, sometimes in the wrong direction. Practice resurrection.”

I tend to forget that I’m dying although statistics give us this fact – one out of every one people dies, unless charioted away into heaven. A few days without experiencing pain or glimpsing the quickly multiplying silver strands on my head, feeling strong in body and mind, or even my own creativity can make me feel invincible. I need a daily reminder that time is running out. I made this piece as a reminder to myself with watercolor, charcoal, and ink. Perhaps you need it, too?

MEDIUM AND APPROACH

While I dabble in different mediums, my favorites are oils for painting and charcoal for drawing. For "Practicing Resurrection," I used charcoal and then experimented with adding depth with black watercolor. I love being outside and painting en plein air but often find that I have to compromise with painting from photographs so I can make time for art amidst life with my family.

HANNAH SANDERS

Hannah Sanders is a follower of Christ, wife, mom, teacher, artist and writer. She loves all things book-ish, afternoon tea, and growing things that bring butterflies and hummingbirds to her yard. She is happiest in the mountains and when surrounded by tall trees.
.