When Thomas Cole Painted

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was a Christian painter and the founder of the
Hudson River School of landscape painting. His work is a testament to God’s
sacred touch in nature.

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When I paint the sky, I make it blue

with a yellow sun.

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When Thomas Cole painted the sky, he made it endless

with breezy clouds melting in the distance

and dancing, sparkling, playful sun rays

streaking and warming the balmy air.

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When I paint the ground, I make it green

with flowers here and there.

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When Thomas Cole painted the ground, he tickled it

with brambling grass

that had giggles of earthy colors

on land that dipped and soared.

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When I paint a mountain, I make it brown

in a triangular shape.

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When Thomas Cole painted mountains, he made them mighty

with shadows and cracks,

tangled weeds and rich shades of stone and rock.

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When I paint water, I make it blue

with wavy edges.

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When Thomas Cole painted water, he made it shine,

glowing and shimmering, lit from within.

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When I paint a tree, I make a brown trunk

with a puffy green top.

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When Thomas Cole painted trees, he made them graceful

with sweeping branches, strong and solid mixed with dainty and twiggy.

They streeeeetch toward the sky

or cradle meadows and pastures.

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After seeing how Thomas Cole painted nature in his art,

I still paint the same as I always do.

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But, now I see art in nature.

I see God’s sacred touch.

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I see leaves falling and sprouts rising,

sacrifice and new life.

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I see possibilities, growth, light, and infinite love.

And I feel grateful for this wonderful world. Kelly Bakshi

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Close your eyes and listen. Can you hear the air moving or birds singing?
Can you feel the sunshine or a breeze on your skin? Deeply breathe in,
then exhale. What else do you notice about the creation around you? How do
those created things point to the One who made them?

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Thomas Cole used his gift to rejoice in and honor God’s power. How could
you use your gifts to honor Jesus, the King and Creator of the universe?
(Colossians 1:15-23)

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In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to
him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:4-5 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 96:11-Psalm 96:12; Job 37:14-Job 37:16; Psalm 95:4-Psalm 95:5