Raoul Dufy (1877-1953) was a French artist who painted across many periods of art. His confident style was always colorful and intriguing whether in the Impressionist or Modernist style. Bouquet of Flowers is representative of his confidence. It can seem off balance and unfinished at first glance but if you look closer you can almost imagine him painting quickly and firmly outside the lines and beyond expectations of what a bouquet should look like. He painted what he saw, not what he thought he should see in a simple collection of beautiful flowers. This painting has inspired many beginners to paint from their hearts not their heads and to often be pleasantly surprised by the result.

We might all apply this painting to our creativity in work and free time. Let’s all let hope open wide the windows and doors of our thinking now in the face of the challenges we still face as a people and a country. As long as we are moving toward respect, goodness, beauty and caring, even our messy steps can be of great value. Love, light and healing aren’t limited anywhere but in our own thinking. Our hearts know that In God all things, all things are possible. 

In hope and faith,

Sandy Prouty

Minister of Children and Families

Montview Church