This artwork was produced when I was on a silent retreat at St Beuno’s in North Wales in November 2016. It was inspired by the words of Isaac Pennington, an early Quaker, who wrote
Give over thine own willing, give over thy own running, give over thine own desiring to know or be anything and sink down to the seed which God sows in the heart, and let that grow in thee and be in thee and breathe in thee and act in thee; and thou shalt find by sweet experience that the Lord knows that and loves and owns that, and will lead it to the inheritance of Life, which is its portion.
I like to think it shows the fruit of the spirit arising from the seed, becoming more developed as time passes.
I am also an avid labryinth lover, which led to me using my mathematical skills to inscribe Psalm 139 around the Chartres labyrinth. I cannot go to the Quaker study centre without a daily walk around its garden labyrinth.
Art and poetry can both help us to connect with ourselves. I write quite a lot of poetry that is largely for my eyes only. I find it a worthwhile practice that helps me to connect with others.
Judy Holyer 