The inspiration for my latest painting, "The Old Friberg Church," stems from a desire to capture not just a physical structure, but the resilience of the human spirt in the face of adversity.
Its history is as rich and storied as the landscape that surrounds it, weaving tales of community, perseverance, and the enduring power of belief. This is the inspiration for my latest painting.
I've read about the Old Friberg Church. Its history traces back to 1896 when the first congregation gathered in local farmer A. W. Friberg's granary. I can imagine the scene - hay bales repurposed as makeshift seats, the warmth of fellowship mingling with the scent of freshly harvested crops. In those humble beginnings, a community found solace and strength in coming together to worship.
The first sanctuary was erected in 1902. But tragedy struck in 1938 when fire engulfed the church, leaving behind charred memories and broken dreams. Yet, from the ashes emerged a testament to resilience. Undeterred by adversity, the community rallied together, determined to rebuild what had been lost. And so, around the original cornerstone, rose the present sanctuary - a symbol of renewal and the unyielding spirit of those who refused to be defeated.
In my painting, I sought to capture the essence of this journey. The setting sun bathes the church in light, even as it sits against a dark, stormy sky. The surrounding landscape of blue-bonnet fields combined with the warm glow coming from the windows of the little church, symbolize hope and the promise of a new day.
Beyond the physical depiction of the church, my painting seeks to evoke the intangible resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
💋 Trish