Discovering Beauty: How Observing Iris Can Transform Your Perspective

Do you enjoy visiting art galleries? If your answer is "no," then today's blog post is not for you. We're delving into Vincent van Gogh's life story through one of his renowned paintings, "Irises," created during his time in a psychiatric hospital.

Vincent van Gogh was raised in the Netherlands, where his father served as a minister. After spending seven years at a commercial art firm, Van Gogh became a preacher and missionary among coal miners in Belgium. However, his battle with depression led him to a psychiatric hospital, where he created some of his most significant paintings. 

Vincent van Gogh Irises - Saint-Rémy-de-Provence - 1890

Van Gogh created the Blue Iris still life while in the psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy. He enhanced the decorative shapes by setting the purple flowers against a yellow backdrop. Initially, the Irises were purple, but the red pigment has faded over time, turning them blue. Van Gogh painted two versions of this bouquet. In the other still life, he used a contrast of purple and pink with green.

Today, art schools around world teach students to first master drawing a still life before learning to paint. This approach teaches them to carefully observe and understand the complexities of their subjects. After mastering drawing, they proceed to painting. Although Van Gogh was a self-taught painter, he also received this advice when he aimed to enhance his artistic abilities. 

I have to confess that I don't frequently engage in this process, but I've recently chosen to do so with Irises. I'm curious about what I might discover by observing irises more closely and creating my own drawings and paintings of them. As I studied a photograph of Irises, due to the unavailability of real ones in a local flower shop, I initially focused on the delicate petals and the stunning transition of different color shades leading to the center of the flower. The center of an Iris resembles a hole.

It reminded me of how God perceives beauty in both you and me, appreciating the gentle and flawed aspects of our character. The Psalmist articulated this sentiment by saying: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” - Psalm 139:14

Van Gogh’s struggle expressed it a bit differently: “Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” His unconventional side found beauty and creative passion in embracing unconventional paths that led to experiencing pain, but also finding beauty in nature. I personally believe that apprecition of flowers and other natural subjects aided him in coping with his internal and external challenges. He probably found comfort in it. 

Unlike Van Gogh, my journey with painting began after I overcame depression, yet it has become a valuable tool in my continuous path to inner healing. Even though I paint with a childlike style, relying heavily on imagination while lacking formal training, I experience joy, appreciation, and healing through painting while reflecting on Bible verses.

Speaking of how observing Iris can transform your perspective, I invite you to explore observing an Iris or some other flower. Be attentive to the shape, color, texture, and all the intricate details of nature's beauty. As you learn to observe and appreciate the beauty of God's creation, you may discover that this beauty influences your life and people around you, by allowing it to be expressed in a unique and creative manner. In the process, your perspective on current challenges will change, aiding your inner healing journey.

After you have finished observing, learning, and absorbing, how does your heart feel inspired to creatively express the beauty you've taken in? Don't be concerned if you haven't expressed it this way before. Every journey begins with a first step.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” - Ephesians 2:10 NLT