The Evening Meal
by Hazel Holland
Title
The Evening Meal
Artist
Hazel Holland
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvass
Description
When I painted this oil I wanted to honor my grandfather's memory... his frugal ways and the simplicity of his life style. But I had a difficult time getting his face and hair just right. So I decided to add a beard to his mustache, and extra hair to the top of his balding head.
But then the painting looked too bare and uninteresting so I decided to add a dog. I hesitated at first of putting a dog in the picture, because my grandfather disliked animals, and would have reluctantly shared his meal with this furry friend.
After placing the dog in the picture I realized that the painting spoke eloquently of my grandfather's ways... He was a recluse who enjoyed the solitude of sitting by a warm fire, eating a bowl of bread and milk, alone with his own thoughts. He would probably have dismissed the dog's presence, and ignored his pitiful begging.
Although I loved my grandfather, I could never get very close to him as a child. He was usually distant and removed, and didn't appear to be very interested in what was going on around him most of the time except his garden.
As I got to thinking about this painting I realized that as a child I was the little dog in the picture who was "begging". I was "begging" to be heard"... "begging" to be noticed... "begging" for some expression of love that would let me know that I was valuable to my grandfather.
Isn't that sometimes how we view God--like a distant grandfather? We behave like God is so far removed from our daily lives that He cannot possibly be interested in our daily needs. We feel like we have to beg and plead in order to get His attention and be heard.
But that is not who God is. He is the opposite of my grandfather. He is not emotionally absent. God enjoys His children so much, that He dances over them with singing (Ephesians 3:17). We don't have to beg or plead with Him for anything because He is very attentive to our needs. He wants us to open our hearts and minds and receive the Living Bread that He has already given us so freely in Jesus Christ.♥
FEATURED IN FAA GROUPS:
* Your Best Work
* Artists Best Five Artwork Group
* Paintings
* Our Four-legged Friends
* Memories and Nostalgia
* Comfortable Art
* Your Favorite Artwork
* The Light Painters
* Beauty
* Chiaroscuro Group
* The Gallery Wall
* Images That Excite You
* Black Background and Color
* PAINTING THE OLD WAY
* The World We See Group
PLACEMENT IN FAA CONTESTS:
* Top Finisher in "Oil Painting Only" contest
* Won 2nd place prize in "Echoes of the Past" contest 12/18/15
* Won 3rd place 7-way tie in "Office Art Decor Men Contest" 2/14/16
* Top Finisher in "Brown" contest 6/15/16
* Won 1st place in "Home Is Where The Heart Is" contest 7/21/16
* Top Finisher in "Oil Painters of America online showcase January" contest 1/29/17
* Top Finisher in "The Consequences Of Austerity" contest 4/24/17
* Won 1st place in the "Empathy" contest 4/22/17
* Won 3rd place in "Days Gone By" contest 10/18/17
Uploaded
November 23rd, 2013
Statistics
Viewed 1,188 Times - Last Visitor from Beverly Hills, CA on 03/28/2024 at 5:38 AM
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Comments (84)
Christopher James
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 Views on One Image Group's Special Features Nominations For Promotion #27 . Please help your fellow artists by visiting and passing on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group....L/F/Tw
Hazel Holland replied:
Christopher, I will pass on the love to another artist in the the 1000 Views on One Image Group!
Christopher James
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group ..... Feel free to place your featured image in the Features Archive and any Genre specific Archive l/f/p
Hazel Holland replied:
Christopher, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" on 1000 Views on 1 Image Group". So much appreciated!
Laurel Adams
Hazel, CONGRATULATIONS! Your work has been featured in the Home Page of The ARTIST BUZzz Group! You are cordially invited to POST image embed links for this distinction to the 🌟GAs -Features Archive -2023 thread in the discussion tab. Thank you for your glimpse of beauty! Gorgeous family commemorative.
Hazel Holland replied:
Laurel, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in "The ARTIST BUZzz Group!" Your support is truly appreciated!
Lois Bryan
Oh Hazel … a masterpiece. Exquisite work of art that goes right to the heart. I loved reading your description. I think I connected with the painting as it reminded me of my own grandfather. I love that you see yourself as the little doggie … so perceptive. Perfection! Lftpfb
Hazel Holland
Bob, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the "Non Photography group!. Your support is truly appreciated!
Lori Pittenger
Congratulations your outstanding artwork has been featured on the leading page of Impressionism group! Please visit the group to view it in our online gallery and to add it to the many themed catalogs in the group’s discussions. Excellent work and Happy New Year!
Hazel Holland replied:
Lori, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" on the Homepage of the Impressionism group!. Your support is truly appreciated!
Stella SzeTu
Hazel, what a beautiful and heart-warming piece of artwork to honour the precious memory of your grandfather. Love your text that accurately illustrates the loving heavenly Father! Beautiful work, dear friend.
Jeff Burgess
Thank you all for your submissions to the Pacific Northwest Artists (PNA) group. If your artistic creation was featured this week, congratulations. For permanence, please place your wonderful art in the “Discussion” section: featured in 2021.
Hazel Holland replied:
Jeff, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the "Pacific Northwest Artists group! Your support is truly appreciated!
Alison A Murphy
This is a touching artwork, speaks to the viewer even before reading your story. Thank you for sharing.
Hazel Holland
Fred Jinkins, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the group "We Paint Every Day". Your support is truly appreciated!
Michael Mirijan
This wonderful picture is featured on the homepage of the "Pictures for Present" group.
Hazel Holland replied:
Michael, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the group "Pictures for Present". Your support is truly appreciated!
Michael Mirijan
This delightful picture is featured on the Master page of the “PHENOMENAL CLUB” group, and may it be known, that the author is a full member of that exceptional group. Hearty congratulations to the great artist.
Hazel Holland replied:
Michael Mirijan, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the "PHENOMENAL CLUB" group. Your support is truly appreciated!
Tejsweena Renu Krishan
Joy on your way, your beautiful and soulful creation is featured on the homepage of "Ardent Essence Of Your Soul" group. Stay blessed, happy and live free. :) L/F
Hazel Holland replied:
Tejsweena, thank you so much for featuring "The Evening Meal" in the group "Ardent Essence of Your Soul". Your support is truly appreciated!