Tough Times
by Hazel Holland
Title
Tough Times
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 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 always distant and removed, and didn't appear to be very interested in what was going on around him most of the time.
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.♥
* Top Finisher in "Sentimental Journey" contest 12/3/15
Uploaded
March 24th, 2013
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Comments (14)
Anita Faye
This is such a wonderful painting Hazel and I think the pet was the perfect touch! :)
Hazel Holland replied:
Thanks so much for your very kind and thoughtful comments and for your fav support, Anita!
Linda Phelps
Nice depiction of the simple life of the past. We are living in a furgal way today. We can learn from your Grandfather. Gray hair is a symbol of glory.
Hazel Holland
Sarah, thanks so much for your encouraging comments about this painting... and thanks for your vote and fav, too!