A Heavy Heart, A Steady Cane: Finding Strength in Grief

In this painting, I did my best to embody the weight of grief, and also the enduring presence of his faith.

I recalled his weathered hands, leaning on a cane as in prayer. Then I remembered, the cane is a symbol of both physical and spiritual support, which is exactly how he seemed to find the strength to cope in the next years of his life.

Alas, suffering in times of trouble is the real theme of this painting.

CS Lewis, in his book, “The Problem With Pain,” says, “Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Lewis talks about the inevitability of suffering and the reason for it: God allows it because we live in a fallen world, we have free will, and suffering will often cause us to stop… and reconsider the ultimate goal of our lives and our relationship to God.  

Reflecting on that, this is the sort of intimate painting that sparks reflection and conversation.

When I reached out to reviewer George Pierre Townsend,  here’s what he said:

“The muted background, painted in soft blues and greens, creates a misty, almost ethereal atmosphere—one that evokes a liminal space between the seen and the unseen. But amidst these softened tones, a single red flower resting upon the grave draws the eye with striking intensity. This deliberate touch of color echoes the techniques of the Old Masters, who used vibrant focal points to imbue deeper meaning.

Red has long been associated with passion and devotion, and in a spiritual context, it also signifies Christ’s sacrifice, reinforcing the theme of faith as a source of comfort.

The contrast between the subdued surroundings and this vivid detail serves as a visual whisper, reminding the viewer that even in sorrow, love endures.