"...an altar of stones"

"Gatlinburg Sanctuary" 9" x 12" Oil on Gesso Board

On a recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains we passed a beautiful little stone church. While my husband was occupied in a meeting I longed to use the opportunity to fill a painting void and ventured out to investigate the little church "up close and personal". As I wondered around the exterior I found myself in a prayer garden behind the church with stone paths, mature rose bushes and benches to pause and take it all in. I felt His presence all around me in this place. as if the prayers of many had sunk into the very foundation. I discovered a set of stone steps that led up to a little patio area from the rectory next door. The sunlight was peaking through tree branches and leaves dotting the stones of various shades of gray and brown and I knew immediately what I would attempt to paint plein air that morning. (Plein air is what painting on location outdoors is called). A church member was there and asked, "Out of all the places you could choose to paint in the Great Smoky Mountains, I'm surprised you would pick this as your subject?" I explained that it was there that I had spotted a Glimpse of His Glory!

“And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones.” Deuteronomy 27:5


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