Georgia O’Keeffe, like many artists, fell in love with a place and offered visual explanations of meaning and value from there. O’Keeffe fell in love with the natural environs of the American Southwest and most especially New Mexico which she first saw in 1919. After many visits, she made her permanent home in Abiquiu near Sante Fe in 1949. She found contentment there resting in beauty and vocation. She died in New Mexico in 1986 at age 98.

Her work with magnified natural forms brought her much acclaim and brought us timeless statements of amplified and surprising form and beauty. O’Keeffe is considered the Mother of American Modernism. Her minimalist works earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom and many other prestigious honors. She is one of the most recognizable and copied artists of our time.

There are so many things to appreciate about this artist. Beyond her skill, color sense and dedication, we can appreciate her authenticity. She once said that making art takes courage and that she had been absolutely terrified every moment of her life though she never let that keep her from doing a single thing she wanted to do.

As we admit the things that terrify us and require our courage, we can remember this woman of determination and strong flowers. She fell in love with a place and showed us the gifts of God’s creation from there. May we view her work in blessed assurance. Thanks be to God. Amen.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church