Chasing Light
Light beyond shadow
November 2022 - I was a month postpartum with a baby that seemed to never sleep; my husband started back at his night shift job and the days were getting shorter and shorter. But, I was surrounded by supportive people (we lived on my parent’s property so quite close) and I knew the ultimate truths that this season did not last forever and there would be Strength to get me through.
And yet, I still felt hopeless.
I remember packing my screaming 1 month old in the car, thinking if I drive around, I can possibly get the baby to go to sleep. Or at the least, roll down the windows and turn the music up so I don’t have to hear constant screaming. As I drove west, down a familiar road, the sky lit up. I have always been a sunrise girl, but this sunset captured me. I felt like this sunset was mine - it was meant for me. And now I was chasing it as it slowly slipped away.
I remember the rest of the night in a blur. My 1 month old still did not sleep well (and didn’t until after he turned 1 years old) and I still hated the long nights that winter. However, I look back on these photos of that night with new eyes. Through it all, I’m thankful for the little reminders of Hope and Beauty that were sprinkled through my darkness - like this sunset.
In the darkest moments, chase light.
As you scroll through the collection, you are welcome to listen to a song that has been very important to me through the dark times - Light Beyond Shadow by Dan Forrest.
The First movement
Not only is this the first photo I took on that night, it was also the first painting I started in the series. This was the moment I realized how important the light was.
11.5” x .5”
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Near the Waterfall / More than a Glimpse
This scene was like building anticipation - I’m driving past a familiar, cascading waterfall and the sky is starting to explode with rich colors. It was no longer a quick glimpse of the sunset. It was starting to become hope springing eternal.
13.5”x.5”
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Road Entering Curve / Finding Courage
SC 186 has many curves along its road - some gentle and some abrupt. This curve is gentle and slowly opening up to the vivid colors of the sunset. At this point in my journey, I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do when the light was gone and the road had ended. I was chasing the light as far and as fast I could, wishing I could bottle it up and keep it close.
Also, I loved how the signs turned out in this series.
13.5”x.5”
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Hidden but not forgotten
On the drive, there’s an abandoned home on the side of the road. I’ve seen it growing up and seen it both overgrown and cut back. As the sky began to open up from the wooded roads and at the same time fade in colors and light, I was encouraged by that abandoned home. You can still see it if you drive SC 186 to Pickens, SC.
11.5” x .5
HWY 8 / A Final Reminder
The end of my journey towards Pickens, SC and the final piece in this collection. The light was fading fast. I had still had sometime to chase., but I knew I would never fully catch it. Not this time. We have only glimpses of hope and beauty in this life. In our darkest times, these are what help us pull through. One day we will have the biggest and most beautiful picture of hope and light. But for now, we continue to chase it.
A little aside, I LOVED how this HWY 8 sign turned out. This area of the world has my heart in so many ways and I love being able to include it in my work.
5.25” x 12” x .5”
SOLD OUT
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