The Secret Place
Canvas 30” x 30”
Time: Approx. 3 hours
Date: May 14th, 2023—Mother’s Day
Cost: $1,500
Artist Statement
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” [Luke: 5:16]
I knew that Liz Tautolo, a pastor at Hope Covenant Church, was planning to deliver a message on this Mother’s Day about the “Secret Place” – the place that Jesus would go to a lot to get close to his Father. And, as I listened to the singing and music and waited for inspiration, I started to see an expectant mother illuminated in bright colors reflecting the joyfulness of motherhood…surrounded by a protected hidden paradise. Liz began by speaking about the pain that exists for many on Mother’s Day…the women who have lost a child, or were never able to have a child…seeing their child struggle…of family members losing a mother…and so on. Then, Liz said, “joy and sorrow hold hands,” as she asked everyone to hold their hands together for a moment of silence. When the painting was halfway finished, my own mom told me she liked the dripping blue color in the background. Right then, I realized this was important to keep because it represented sorrow. My mom later reminded me that the last time she spoke with my brother was when he called her on Mother’s day– 5/14/1995. He passed away in a car accident 4 days later.
Liz showed a picture of a national park in Israel called Gan HaShlolsha…a warm, spring-fed oasis (oddly similar to the painting). My heart filled with hope when she compared it to the spring of life inside us as "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Then she invited us all to go to the secret place within each of us to meet Jesus there.
Jesus’ strength was constantly being drained by the weight of human suffering he took on himself day to day. And, I wonder if by going to the secret place, he was being revitalized, in a sense, in God’s 'secret womb.' We might even see the mother in the painting as a portrait of God…fusing our pain with compassion…forming a beautiful new creation. And so, in going to the secret place, we, ourselves, join with this rebirthing process…and experience joy and sorrow holding hands.