Master of the Light

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”—1 John 1:5-7

Last night I was inspired by a master of the light. Our pastel group had an artist demo and talk from a premier Filipino artist, Gary Carabio, who has painted 30 years. As he described his art journey, beginning as a young child in the Philippines, up until now as an adult, I knew I was in the presence of a master. Slide after slide of his beautiful artwork, discussion of his awards and accolades…. our group was just mesmerized by his attention to detail, subjects, and mastery of the light. He chose subjects from his home—people such as mothers and children, fishermen, children playing, old men working, boats, and other subjects. Even current subjects such as people at a mall, or his demo of a girl at a birthday party showed a mastery of color, value, and light. They captured the human spirit, emotion, and joy.

I learned this artist works from photos and takes several pictures before choosing a scene. He works in the sunlight, and I can see why. Light is such a foundation of his work. I have met other artists who are masters of the light and can capture its beauty on a 2-dimensional surface. It comes from years of study, observation, and learning. How does light work? What changes it? Where does it hit? How is it dispersed? What are its colors? How do you use these sticks of pigment and knowledge of values to render its influence on form? These are some of the questions we ask as artists.

It is truly remarkable to master the light. It is another thing to follow the Master of the Light, for that is what God is. God is light. There is no shadow, God is light through and through. As I as an artist also chase the light to capture for my paintings, I want to have that same passion for the light of God. The blood of Jesus can purify our sins so that we too, can walk in the light. With God as our Master of Light, we do not have to walk in the pervading darkness the rest of the world walks in. This world needs light so badly, let’s share it with them this week!

Prayer—“God of light, you are the true master of light. Help me to live in the light where you are. Banish the darkness in my life and purify me so that I may see you: Pure Light. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”