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| The paintings in this series are reflections on stories of the New Testament in which women and children were touched by the Holy. Although the images draw on stories about Jesus, the figure in each painting representing that Presence is left vague or unpainted, allowing each of us to image the embodiment of the Divine as we have come to know that touch. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Doris Klein · 4311 North
100th Street · Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53222-1315 artist@dorisklein.com · (414) 461-7676 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All images and words on this Website are copyrighted © and may not be reproduced in any way without the expressed permission of Doris Klein, CSA http://www.dorisklein.com artist@dorisklein.com |
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This painting is a reflection inspired by two close
friends of Jesus, Martha and Mary. At times these
figures are placed in a dualistic, evaluative stance of one
being better than the other, rather than in a position of
balance. Martha is portrayed as the worker, task
oriented and busy about many things. Mary is often
described as being at Jesus' feet quietly listening and
receiving.
This painting was inspired by the story in John's Gospel
and life itself. It reflects on the times when Jesus quietly
appears on the edge of life, inviting us to speak the
secrets of our heart. We assume a guarded stance of
mistrust and cautiously protect our heart and soul as the
patient Presence willingly waits without judgment. Our
fear of being seen and known in the truth of who we are
is met with a gentle glance, assuring us that we are loved
in this honest space. The Holy One raises a hand,
inviting us, when we're ready, to drink deeply of the
waters drawn from the depths of love.
We have each faced in some way the
experience of the woman described in
Luke's Gospel who had a crippling
condition which left her bent over. The
worries, responsibilities and anxieties we
carry on our back often leave us stooped as
we strain under the weight to succeed, keep up and perform efficiently with perfection.
sometimes the bent over image is a bodily way of protecting our heart, concealing our
vulnerability and guarding our secrets. Walking in this position is difficult and labored,
yet our feet hold us up as we lean on the support provided on the way. At times the
effort to look up in hope seems too much. It is the call of our name and the extended
hand of the Holy One that gives us courage to stand in our own space, know our own
truth and hand over that which is too heavy for us to carry alone. It is the touch of the
Holy that invites us to stand straight and be healed.
To look at our own shadow carries with it
the deep fear that if we are seen in the
honest space of who we are, we will be
found unlovable. Letting down our guard
and acknowledging our truth calls us to a
space not unlike that of the woman who
came to Jesus crying. As she washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair,
she was comforted and assured that she was forgiven and loved.
A story is related in Luke's Gospel of a
twelve year old girl who was believed to be
dead. Jesus told her parents that she was
only asleep, touched her gently and said,
"Little girl, get up."
Children see with their heart in such a pure
and simple way, the profound truths of
unconditional love, trust and dependence.
The description of Jesus in the Gospel, who
asks that the children come to him, is an
invitation to each of us, to see once again
with our hearts, to leap onto the lap of the Holy, assured that we are loved no matter what.
with our hearts, to leap onto the lap of the Holy, assured that we are loved no matter what.
As adults we often become the helpers, holders and healers of our world. We take care
of everyone. We become so responsible and dependable that we forget that we can and
must receive, that it's ok to make mistakes, that we can be forgiven and loved.
We stand at times before the dark and empty caves of life
wondering what has happened to the Source of our being.
Tentatively balanced on the rocks, we wonder which way
to turn as we grieve the loss of what was and wait in
empty, alone space for what might be. Much like Mary
Magdalene in the story of Easter, we don't recognize the
face of the Beloved and are taken completely by surprise
as we hear our name whispered in this empty space.
Turning, we reach for the extended hand of the Holy and
the enfolding embrace of the Divine, knowing that
somehow, through this journey, we have been called to a
fuller, deeper way of knowing.
This painting is a reflection on the times that we, like
the Biblical woman with the hemorrhage, reach out of
hopelessness to somehow touch the fringe of the
garment of the Holy One. From the roots of our being
our spirit pleads to be healed by a power much greater
than ours. Our deep fear of the endless outflow of
lifeblood can only be met by the stretching in faith to the
ever-present mender of hearts whose garment is always
within our grasp.