Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) is one of the most recognizable of American artists. Born in Wisconsin, life took her to New York and then to New Mexico. She painted during many art periods including American Modernism and Precisionism. Many of her works are in the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico and the Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio is a National Historic Landmark in Abiquiu.

Georgia O’Keeffe gave us both opportunities and challenges with her flower paintings. She painted guides to looking closely, to taking the time this requires, to having our perceptions changed.

Her flowers can quiet our categorical language and let our imaginations speak loudly about creation, beauty, meaning, and possibilities.

“When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment.”

“I decided that if I could paint that flower in a huge scale, you could not ignore its beauty.”

On this day after Easter, in this year, in these times, may Georgia O’Keeffe’s Abstract White Rose inspire us beyond our hard worn perceptions to a new vision of life in God.

In gratitude, faith and hope,

Sandy Prouty
Minister of Children and Families
Montview Church