Always Look for the Light
Here’s what made me linger over this painting: the taper candle’s flame and smoke, the artist’s depiction of a bit of burning fire, the light.
When I first walked up to this picture, my eyes went to the light and they kept returning to the light.
I also appreciate the devotion of the woman who’s holding this candle in one hand and a rosary in the other but I’m still mostly drawn to the light.
Shoutout to Monet to Matisse: French Moderns from 1850-1950 which I saw on Friday at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
A handful of other pieces caught my attention on Friday so I’ll share more soon.
And I look forward to returning to the exhibition several times to see what else I connect with in the coming days and weeks.
💚Charlotte
Breton Peasant Woman Holding a Taper, Jules Breton, About 1869 on view at @bhammuseum
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, and gatherer whose work centers on helping people explore themes of belonging through art, spiritual growth, and how to Flourish Anyway™, even when life is full, busy, or chaotic. Her work has woven together themes of belonging, art, and soul exploration for more than 25 years. With a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing (2015-2018) and a certificate in spiritual direction (2018-2020), Charlotte guides writers and other creative souls in fostering sanctuaries of acceptance and connection—her approach warmly welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of faith tradition or spiritual inclinations.
A Christian in the Episcopal church who believes the tenets of the Nicene Creed, Charlotte employs a universal framework of belonging and connection in her spiritual direction work that’s welcoming to all and fosters meaningful, soulful conversations.
In 2020, Broadleaf Books published Charlotte's first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her book, Spiritual Direction for Writers, is slated for release by Eerdmans in September 2026.
As the founder of several initiatives, including Flourish Anyway™, Thoughtful Books Etc.™, Belonging through Art™, Spiritual Direction for Writers®, Spiritual Direction for Belonging®, and Parenting with Art®, Charlotte has established herself as a thought leader and an authentic presence at the intersection of creativity and spirituality. Her essays have been featured in prominent publications such as The Washington Post, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, and The Millions, among others. A new essay about art conservation, Joan Mitchell, and mystery is forthcoming with Image.
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