Rahab, Painted Papers Collage, Marcia Carole
I’ve had a whirlwind of a time selling art around the studio and beyond. Selling, a solidly left-brained activity, is somewhat more difficult for me to do. I love playing beautiful music, painting or collaging, all alone in my studio. I go away into a special “space” of peace and joy, much energy, and closeness with God – in my heart, mind, body and soul. It’s a sacred, set apart, space for me.
I come out of that space to sell. It’s important and necessary to sell work in order to eat organic food, buy healthcare in America and travel to far flung places to make art with women in very difficult, heart-wrenching situations. (I wish the eating organic would wipe out the need to buy healthcare.)
This time of selling has been rewarding, validating and even enjoyable. The enjoyable part is when someone stops, smiles and enjoys my work, whether or not they purchase it. I love seeing children stop and smile, or even run over, with glee, to some of the work. Seeing friends arriving at events where I am selling has so encouraged me; they are each sparking refreshment during my long periods of sitting. Conversations about what I do with the funds from the sales have been thought-provoking and important. I marvel that the vivid colors I use in my paintings are contrasted with the dark shadows of some of the stories I share.
My art shop is closing for my Christmas vacation; I have now returned to the sacred place of collaging the story of Rahab. Above, you see the first page of the Rahab story, just about completed. Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, runs a “home” on the city wall.The Israelite spies have come to her home for the night, as many others have done. Just maybe, they have learned it is the ONE safe place in town because of Rahab’s growing faith in the God of the Bible. God in the brothel. Stay tuned. More to follow…
If you want to read a novel about Rahab, I suggest Francine Rivers’ book, Unashamed.
