This painting is by Ivan Rabuzin, a Croatian artist who was born in 1921, the sixth of eleven children. He was a carpenter before he began painting, and he didn't switch to professional painting until 1962. He described himself as ignorant about how to paint (having little formal training,) but he continued to learn and develop his talent by visiting art galleries and reading literature on various artists. He was also a member of the Croatian Parliament.
I have always intended to write more about life in Croatia, to share with you the lives of famous Croatians, and those not so famous. But I haven't done it as much as I had hoped.
Croatians, unlike Americans, are typically negative in their outlook on life. Heroes in their movies die at the end. "Happily Ever After" to them, is so American. Croatians are more likely to see your faults, to be suspicious of you, and to believe the world is not a happy place. This outlook on life seems to be reflected on the faces of the people when I pass them on the street. I typically smile at strangers, look into their eyes, hoping for a smile in return, even just a friendly nod of the head. In most cases, speaking from my personal experience, people remain expressionless or look suspiciously at me, leaving me to wonder if my face is on a "Wanted" poster somewhere and they are trying to identify me so they can turn me in.
This painting however speaks to me of a different type of Croatian... one who looks beyond the stormy clouds of life and sees the beauty in everyday things. Flowers that reach up to be close to the sun are vibrant and rich in color. Those who are below the clouds are dismal and gray. I have no idea what the artist's true message is. I only know how I feel when I look at it, hopeful.
He named it Radiance....
an adjective that means shining or glowing brightly, emanating great joy, love or health, emanating powerfully
I love the idea of living a radiant life.....
Being the flower that glows brightly,
hungering for the warmth of the sun,
connected to the True Vine,
rising above the cares of this life,
just being content in all things.
"..and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was RADIANT with his glory." Ezek. 43:2
(photo from AllPosters)
2 comments:
Great post, Marla, and very thought-provoking!
Thanks for sharing! I couldn't imagine living in another culture like that, although to me Mississippi IS another culture! I like that painting!
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