Shalom, a Visual Word Journal, Part 7

These pages were really fun to do. The circles, with their wholeness and lack of sharp edges make me happy and remind me of God's presence. As I doodled and painted I listened to worship music while worshiping with my pen and paint, humming and singing along: for me a kind of reveling, visual prayer and play. When I finished the circle decorations I added words from my research on Shalom around the edges. This circle idea is something I always come back to. I's so fun I think I will include the circle in the upcoming summer workshops.

Below I traced my hand and a circle, added personal symbols, the word t-r-u-s-t to the finger nails and glued on the painted paper swirls. Then I tinted everything with fluid acrylic paints, another technique I will show in the summer workshops.

 Below is another part of the 

Shalom Prayer (click here for a link to the website)

shared by the Maranatha Community:

"You knew me at the moment of my creation

and even then you loved me.

You knew me and loved me in my mother's womb.

My nature was known to you.

You called me by my name

You held me in your arms

You embraced me

You breathed upon me

You gave me your life and your love.

You watched over me from my earliest childhood

You were present at all times and in all places

my unseen playmate, schoolmate, workmate

my unseen guest at every meal.

You shared in every encounter

You watched over me silently

even in the long hours of the night.

You shared in every journey

You traveled with me

You were at the beginning of each journey

You were my companion on the way.

Without you I lose my way

my journey has no purpose

I become exhausted on the way.

But You are my Alpha and Omega

You are my way

You are the the way itself, the Way of Life."