"What do you know about art?"

I was sharing plans for the week with my friend.

Monday included judging a high school art show.

I took no offense to the question. I had wondered myself "what did I know about art?" when my high school friend, Ann Hardy McGee asked if I could do that.

While I did inherit a creative spirit from my mother, my gift is words. Mother's was a paintbrush or colored pencils or even crayons in her last days. However, almost every day I open the Harriet Beecher Stowe Gallery at the Mandarin Museum where the work of Memphis Wood (who was my mother’s teacher at Landon in the early 40’s) is on display. My office at the Museum includes the skill of artists including Lee Adams, C. Ford Riley, and Brenda Councill.

And this is above my desk at home.

So, with my friend, Laurie Lemminn, I made my way to University Christian School for "Night of the Arts “where we were escorted through the halls where the creations of lower school students decorated the walls.

We arrived at the school cafeteria where easels with flowers and butterflies theme lined the room. We were amazed at the various techniques that were included. I loved the works that included flowers, roses, and sunflowers especially. Laurie loves butterflies so those stood out to her.

And then we saw this one. -

Ann told us that it was the work of Luke Lehmann. a graduating senior in AP Art who has not determined which of the many colleges who are inviting him to bring his skill and let them help him make it better. will be his choice.

To our surprise, we were given a gift card for our time. I made a trip to Ace Hardware's Garden Shop. I know that it was my mother who knew what to do with flowers. And she would want to paint or draw these once she had planted them.

However, I have decided that working in the yard is something that I might have inherited from my mother. I do know that I love to mow the grass. The flowers might make it, but don't look for any artwork from me.  Remember, my gift is words. "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others." I Peter 4:10 (NIV)

May you have enough sunshine in your life  To make you appreciate the shadows