What Can an Iris Teach You About Beauty, Healing, and God’s Design?
Updated: Sep 1
Do you enjoy visiting art galleries? If your answer is “no,” today’s blog post may surprise you. We are going beyond the gallery walls to explore Vincent van Gogh’s life through one of his renowned paintings, Irises, created during his stay at the psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Vincent van Gogh grew up in the Netherlands, where his father served as a minister. After working for an art dealership for several years, Van Gogh became a preacher and missionary among coal miners in Belgium. Later, following a period of severe mental and emotional distress, he admitted himself to a psychiatric hospital. During this difficult season, he created some of his most significant works.
Van Gogh painted his still life of blue irises while staying at the hospital in Saint-Rémy. He emphasized the flowers’ decorative shapes by placing them against a yellow background. The irises were originally purple, but the red pigment faded over time, causing them to appear blue. Van Gogh created another floral still life in which he explored a different combination of color and contrast.
Today, many art students begin by learning to draw still-life arrangements before progressing to painting. This practice teaches them to slow down, observe carefully, and understand the complexity of their subjects. Although Van Gogh was largely self-taught, he was also encouraged to develop his artistic abilities through close observation and disciplined practice.
I must confess that I do not often follow this process. Recently, however, I decided to try it with irises. I became curious about what I might discover by observing them more closely and creating my own drawings and paintings.
Because fresh irises were unavailable at my local flower shop, I studied a photograph instead. At first, my attention was drawn to the delicate petals and the beautiful transitions between different shades of color leading toward the flower’s center. The center of an iris resembles a small opening—an unexpected imperfection surrounded by remarkable beauty.
It reminded me that God sees beauty in both you and me. He knows the delicate, unfinished, and imperfect parts of our character, yet He still calls His creation wonderful. As the psalmist wrote:
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:14
A quotation often attributed to Van Gogh says:
“Normality is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.”
Whether or not these were his exact words, the thought reflects something visible in his art. Van Gogh discovered beauty and creative passion along unconventional paths—paths that included considerable suffering but also a deep appreciation for nature. I believe that observing flowers and other natural subjects may have helped him endure some of his inner and outward struggles. Perhaps, through nature, he found moments of comfort.
Unlike Van Gogh, my journey with painting began after I had overcome depression. Nevertheless, painting has become a valuable part of my continuing journey toward inner healing. I paint in a childlike style, drawing heavily on imagination rather than formal training. Yet as I paint and reflect on Bible verses, I experience joy, gratitude, and healing.
An iris can transform our perspective when we take the time to observe it. I invite you to study an iris—or any other flower that captures your attention. Notice its shape, colors, texture, and intricate details. Allow yourself to slow down and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.
As you learn to recognize and receive that beauty, you may discover that it begins to influence your own life and the lives of those around you. It may find expression through something uniquely creative within you. In the process, your perspective on present challenges may also begin to change, supporting you on your journey toward inner healing.
After you have finished observing, learning, and absorbing, ask yourself:
How does my heart want to express the beauty I have received?
Do not worry if you have never expressed yourself creatively before. Every journey begins with a first step.
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