The Light That Enkindles One’s Soul

Nature Morte? I think not.

A quick thank you to Deb, on this, my first solo post for The Family We Keep. Thank you for seeing the light in me and every other being who crosses your path, Deb.

The Light That Enkindles One’s Soul. Acrylic on canvas, 2024.

Deb and I share a love of colored glass and the enchanting way light shines through it. Actually, we share a love of light, period. I also happen to have an unquenchable love for vessels. I will sometimes buy a product if it is in an interesting vessel, secretly hoping it will find its way into a still life. I often fill these vessels with flowers or trinkets or….light.

The French translation of still life is nature morte. Dead nature. But, I find still life painting to be not so dead at all. A still life painting is a singular person’s record of light, as only they could have seen it. A recording by hand and heart; full of love. Love for the act of creating, love for one’s subject, and most of all, love for the way the light defines and reveals all. Neither love nor light can ever be a dead thing.

Though my beloved vessels can’t create light, they can take the light that’s given and transform it in their own unique way. As can we, with the life-light that’s been given to us. Perhaps the light that shines through you will draw in others, like a moth to a flame.

Maybe you’ll collect the light and joyfully reflect it, like the moon reflects the sun. Sometimes, your light-labor won’t be fully appreciated, understood, or even noticed. Your careful kindling might feel all for naught.

It’s ok. Don’t become discouraged. Not every light serves every purpose; yet every light serves to dispel darkness.

Whatever light enkindles your soul, I beg of you to let it flourish; the world is never so full of light as it ought to be. Shine on.

Thank you all, for letting me share my art and a little bit of what inspires me to paint. May your light be overflowing and shining out into the world today and always.

-Jenn

P.S. This painting and other personal records of light can be perused in my Etsy shop for a little while longer; I will be shutting my shop for an undetermined length of time, probably starting in mid summer.