
Welcome to the Open Window, a monthly newsletter
designed to enlighten, encourage, and bring joy to your heart.
MAY NEWSLETTER

What makes an impressionistic painting? A fleeting moment of open composition, (a first impression) of light and atmosphere through color, texture, and sensory experience, relating to how it makes one feel. Like two ships passing in the night, flashing their lights and blasting their horn, meeting and sharing a fleeting moment and sailing off. They exist in the same space for a brief moment.
It’s not what we see, but Impressionist art is more about feeling and design. A stroke or two that captures the essence of the ship, rather than detailed realism. Light or dark tones to capture the mood.
The background and underpainting carry the weight of these paintings. Lines and design applied on the surface tell what the subject is or could be. Looking closely, each painting carries shapes in the form of ships.
Ship1, has the lightness of day and the horizonal lines hold the ship down in the water promising a fun day on the waters.
Ship 2, the dark vertical lines in the top portion show a possible storm crashing down. The ship is rising up to meet the weather.
“Ships that pass in the night” is a famous metaphor from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1873 poem “The Theologian’s Tale: Elizabeth” (from Tales of a Wayside Inn). It describes brief, transient human encounters—a signal and a voice in darkness—representing people who meet momentarily before parting.
That’s how these two paintings came about. A quick visit to see my friend in Clovis, New Mexico. Photos shown to me explaining how these two mix-medias were hanging in a law firm there and how they speak to their clients. When I saw the images, I said, “Oh that’s where those two paintings are. I forgot.”
Ships that pass in the night, and speak to each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness; So on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one to another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence. HWL
There have been many ships I’ve passed, not catching a name, or where they came from or where they were going. But, they left a deep impression that changed my course of direction or gave me hope in the midst of the storm. They had no idea of the impact that I received from their words.
Be inspired.
More Than the Journey ~
A Sacred Intimacy with JESUS
To be released in 2026
Excerpts from this Biblical Romance and Rich Theological Study: This book is for readers who yearn to move beyond religion and experience a deeper relationship with Jesus.
Day Four– Song of Solomon 1:3 – For your love is better than wine:
Literal and figuratively, the fleeting pleasure of wine does not compared to genuine affection. Love is lasting and transformative, more than momentary intoxication. Love highlights the fullness and exclusivity of a covenant relationship.
Through this allegory, God shows covenant love between the maiden and King Solomon, a picture of Christ’s love for His Church.SIX-WORD STORY
Bambi admired his new AI headshot.
Van Wallach
Check out Picasso’s colorful “antlers” period.
Van Wallach
Bold strokes capture the forest mood.
Van Wallach
The leader called, the herd heard.
Van Wallach
A world of possibilities. Colorful kaleidoscope.
Fran Lewis
I’m painted with finest quality paints.
Fran Lewis
Bright colors give energy – attention.
Fran Lewis
If I’m a painting, I’m immortal.
Fran Lewis
Looking to understand who I am.
Fran Lewis
Are there worlds without colors? Wondering.
Fran Lewis
I wish I could repaint myself.
Fran Lewis

Thanks for your response. Watch for our May 15th communication for next month’s Six-Word Story prompt and be included in the June Newsletter.
Who dealt it..I smelt it.
Daniel Norton
The deer transformed before my eyes.
Helene Smith
Her mythical interior expressed itself outwardly.
Helene Smith
As the deer pants for water.
Andy Hale
The colors of heaven are powerful.
Faith Richardson
God’s beauty shines bright in creation.
Faith Richardson
I’m me inside. Not outward colors.
Fran Lewis
PAST NEWSLETTERSApril – Basking in the light
March – A peaceful heart
February – Leading from behind
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