Bruce St Clair
From early in my career I gravitated towards realism because I am fascinated by the way things 'really look'. I strive to create in my work a sense of immediacy, of ‘being there’, of personal encounter. While captured by the way light can transform and draw eloquence from even the most mundane, I am seeking the transcendent – the 'more than meets the eye'. Additionally, I believe that Art must spring from true emotional response – 'love' is not too strong a word – along with personal (and intellectual) honesty – integrity. I also believe in the restoration to the visual arts of excellence and craftsmanship... and the wonder and hopefulness of unexpected beauty in an often troubled, broken and chaotic world – an unexplainable but inherent longing.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time; He has also placed eternity in men's heart.” (Eccl. 3:11)
“From the creation of the world, the invisible things of Him – both His eternal power and Godhead – are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made...” (Romans 1:20)
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. (It) will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:19, 21)
I draw inspiration from the environment that I know or have some connection with, landscape often being an important element. My paintings typically observe/investigate the way the land acts upon the people, and the people on the land – what Robert Swain referred to, in his introduction to Bruce St. Clair/ Paintings/ A Ten Year Survey, as “the urban-rural interface”... a realization of the ongoing tensions of mutual existence. And all are portraits, in the truest sense of the word – attempting to reveal the 'truth' below the surface. This kind of intimate yet respectful relationship with my subjects finds a response in my own being that I hope resonates with others as well.
My Scottish/Canadian ancestry has become increasingly important to me, and recent years have awakened a passion for discovering my roots and ancient heritage. Partly with that in mind, I moved with my family to southeast Scotland in 1999, where we lived until the spring of the following year. Scotland has become the source of much of my artistic inspiration and subject matter ever since, apart from several paintings deriving from visits with my daughter, Rosalyn and her family during their sojourn in Los Angeles. (Of course, immediate environment, etc. will inevitably show up from time to time.)
A parabolic element frequently shows up in my work, sometimes to my own surprise. Parables always suggest stories – life stories with spiritual implications. Small wonder though, since the Creator of all things continues to communicate with and through His creation. While my subject matter may appear widely varied, the real subjects for me are light, life and the constant undercurrent of the spiritual.
sDg (soli Deo gloria) Bruce St. Clair, October 2009
Discover More About Bruce St Clair:
Life in the Harbour - Lori St Clair
Life in The Harbour
Have we toiled through the days
Catching one at a time
Any Hope that is passing
To help touch the Sublime?
Has the Bait been the problem
Or the Place or the Cast?
Not reaching quite far enough?
Using bait from the past?
Perhaps a change is now due
To recapture the Dream
Of life on the Open Seas
Instead of life in a Stream.
Not fearing Wind and Waves
As we navigate Life.
All the while casting nets
Which hold more Dreams
than the night.
Begin at the End – Lori St Clair
“You might as well begin where you’re going to end up,” our Lord encourages me.
This is wise counsel. In fact, whenever I think that I have a long hard road ahead of me, I am reminded of these words, and I realize I can go much further if I live according to His counsel.
Can you imagine what kind of a place in our natural life and experience we would inhabit if we weren’t continually trying to “re-create the wheel”? Always starting at the beginning, laying the same ground or foundation over and over thinking that if WE build it, it will be definitely be more secure or different.
Instead, consider beginning at the at the last point of where the work left off, whether it was our work or the work of someone else who went before us, and grow from there.
For example, if we live in relationship with Father God, He says that we can begin with forgiveness and enjoy healing rather than working from healing to forgiveness. We can also enjoy His presence right now, rather than going through endless ritual in preparation to step into His presence.
Accept that often you can Start at the place you are trying to reach, and move from that point forward. Explore rather than pioneer what you are trying to attain.
It’s liberating to rest from striving to achieve what has already been achieved. When we are able to move beyond this repetitious cycle, we can apprehend so much more of our dreams and aspirations.
There is also genius and wisdom and understanding available for us to use as a springboard today, to jump higher and go further than we’ve ever gone before. Those famous words every Star Trek fan knows by heart… “To boldly go where no man has gone before.” Where is that for you personally, or for your generation?
I know that I am only beginning to tap into the realms available to me, as I stretch my imagination to consider how it may be possible for me to enjoy a super-natural life beyond my current experience. I don’t entertain IF it is possible … only HOW it is possible.
When we consider how rapid things in the world are advancing, (as in the Singularity) ask yourself… am I changing along with the environment around me?
To stop wasting energy trying to get somewhere, find the door that has already been opened by someone who passionately pursued that place or dream, and who took time to pave a way that benefits others.
For instance, we know that our forefathers endured hardness so that we could have it easier. So begin with a “Finished Work” and grow from that point forward. It may surprise you to find out where you arrive at.
Blessings to you today!
Lori
Learning the Easy Way - Lori St Clair
The other day I was sharing some information with a colleague. What I was sharing was difficult for my colleague to accept and embrace. It was a steep learning curve. As I finished up and was preparing to leave they said, “Well, I would rather learn the easy way… not the hard way.
I thought to myself, “Really?” I could see that the easy way I was offering in that moment was not easy, it was challenging.
I started to muse on that statement, and I saw that even though we have learned to say that, we do not really mean it. Because the easy way is usually the first thing we’re presented with and we often, if not almost always, look for another way. The reason? Because the easy way is not really easy, it is just first.
We’re prepared to deal with the consequences of choosing the hard way, but the consequences almost always surprise us because we thought we had chosen the easy way.
So what is the Easy Way? It usually requires discipline and sacrifice on our part.
If we accept someone’s counsel or wisdom on a matter, due to their experience or expertise, this may require us to sacrifice our own thoughts and opinions. If we need to learn from those who have been down the path before us, be they young or old, then we need to humble ourself, which requires personal sacrifice. (Sometimes a younger person’s understanding of the world we now live in will be more up to date than an elderly person’s, who would have years of experience in other areas.)
The Easy Way can sometimes be a shortcut, but it will take perseverance and discipline to accomplish. Perhaps it is actually a direct route and, should we take it, it will save us from the endless wandering and frustration of coming back to the same place where we were first offered the Easy Way. The Journey we took just became the Hard Way.
In the days ahead of us, it would be best that we recognise and learn to embrace opportunities when they first come to us. I remember a saying from years ago… God does not let you fail a test, you just keep rewriting it until you pass.
We can choose to avoid tests completely, but if we want to make any progress, tests will come to us. So now… how do we discern the Easy Way? The Easy Way comes with choices, the Hard Way comes with consequences.
God Bless your Walk today
Lori
What in the World - Lori St. Clair
From the movie INVICTUS
Mandela: What is your philosophy on leadership Francois? How do you inspire your team to do their best?
Francois: By example. I lead by example Sir.
Mandela: Good… But How to get them to be better than they think they can be, that is very difficult I find. Inspiration perhaps? How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.?On Robin Island, when things got very bad, I found inspiration in a poem.
Francois: a Poem?
Mandela: A Victorian Poem. Just words, But they helped me to stand when all I wanted to do was to lie down.
Francois: I understand Sir. On the way to a game in the bus, the men are silent. When I think they’re ready, I put on a song that I have chosen, and it helps.
Mandela: We need Inspiration Francois. Because in order to build our nation, we must all exceed our own expectations.
This is just outstanding. Let’s first see where they drew their inspiration from. The Creative Arts. Because really… the creative arts are Deep speaking unto Deep. We draw from this vein to strengthen, inspire, encourage our soul, our heart. This is why inspiration is more than “just words”. It is Life.
The Spirit realm we reach into to draw inspiration, will motivate our soul, seeking strategies to create a physical reality of what inspired us. We know we are created Body, Soul, Spirit therefore if we are to live to our greatest or fullest expression of this life here and now... we will need to draw 'life' - or inspiration - from the realm outside of our physical world of 'need' so that desire trumps and lifts us beyond mere satisfaction on a physical level, toward true fulfillment for our soul on a spiritual level. Need you will have with you always... yet it is desire that inspires and releases abundant life.
I know for myself I have drawn some inspiration from lyrics to songs, poems, movie lines, such as we read above and, encouragement through short meaningful phrases from my Mentor.
Like when I said… “I can’t do this!”?Mentor: “Why not?”?Me: “Because I know my limitations!”?Mentor: Yes, But do you know your Potential!?”
I’m looking for ways to live in Greatness. ! Because nothing less will do.
God Bless...
Lori
Musing on Music and the Arts - Lori St Clair
Why is it that we identify so keenly with music? Why does music speak to our heart in the way that little else can? I believe that Music is really our first language. Music directs communication straight to the heart when so much of everything else can’t get passed our mind. Music strengthens the bonds with our spiritual nature. It offers somewhere we can go to shut out the ‘noise’ that surrounds our lives at times.
I recently watched August Rush again. This movie and its music offer such an exquisite experience for the spirit and soul. The claims that it makes on the front cover are so very true in my experience, “Your heart will be singing and your spirit will soar.” Indeed!
And MJ in his last concert “This is it”. What a brilliant musician, dancer-performer. Then Paul McCartney when he was interviewed said of the Beatles music, “There was a good spirit behind it.” The music became so transcendent at times, fans used to bring to their concerts, people that needed physical healing. Most popular song of the Beatles... "Here Comes the Sun"
Really I can’t begin to do justice to the artists in naming all the great musicians and their music during the last century alone. What would we have become without their beautiful silk threads of outstanding musical pageantry being woven into the tapestry of our lives? Lesser people for sure. Enrichment is necessary to augment our magnificent creative brain and our untapped potential.
Similarly, people who live without the inspiration of art in their homes. I cannot comprehend how do they are able to do this? In the movie V for Vendetta, (and other movies of its kind) I can understand why art was secreted away as a sacred treasure when there was a purging of the people’s identity through culture. The arts are precious because they inspire Greatness in us. They are transcendent in nature and they help inspire us along to this lofty place. Yet I think in the Western culture we have pulled it down to a more ‘common’ place instead of allowing it to lift us to a higher plane.
So if you were to consider what creative masterpiece you’ve enjoyed in the last year that has been used to bring a smile to your lips, peace to your heart or perhaps a skip to your step in what vein would it be found? Music, Art, Dance, Theatre, a Movie, or a piece of literature? And if any of these… which piece of music, visual art, which stage production, movie or book? What has it done for you? How has it caused you to believe or behave differently than before it met you in your circumstance?
I believe that the heart of the Arts is to give. So much more in life takes or robs something from us but the Creative Arts multiply to us, wealth. You might think this is cliché but when you think of what is it that brings inspiration, promise, or purpose together, it is often the arts.
You may say… “but I’m not creative”. Well if you have an imagination then you are creative. And if you let yourself dream of what might be possible, if only…. then you are a creative thinker. Creativity can look different depending on who we each are and what it is we’ve been given to work with. Granted some have more creativity than others but creativity can be cultivated.
So… if you permitted yourself to dream a dream that stirred you up on the inside, igniting a fire that would long keep the passion of this dream alive until it was reached… what would this dream look like? Put on some music… and let it inspire your dream. Imagine the possibility of you living that dream. If you can see yourself attaining it right now… then your dream isn’t big enough. The mystery of a dream is coupled with faith. As was once said… “I have a dream…” MLK
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