Still I Rise

(Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilionidae)
I heard a talk given by: Elder Dale G. Renlund called: “Lifelong Conversion” He used the Finnish word “sisu to describe a word roughly translated into English means: stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, and resilience. Elder Renlund said ‘sisu decides on a course of action and adheres to it “no matter what.”
To me the artist this can be described the symbolic beauty of the butterfly. It’s growth mindset, or process in becoming a butterfly.
The following quote by Robert Millet inspired my painting.
“Suppose you and I were walking in the forest on a spring morning. The sun is shining, the flowers are glorious, and the temperature is just right. Suddenly we notice a beautiful flying creature with wings of many colors. It flits here and there. It lands on a leaf for a few seconds and then flies away. It would never occur to us to say, “” WOW! Did you see that good- looking, converted worm?” It had been a worm, and it had been converted, hadn’t it? Yes, it may have once been a ground-bound, crawling creature, but it now flies above the ground and has a totally different perspective of life on earth. Through the process of metamorphosis, a worm became a butterfly. We no longer refer to what it once was; we refer to what is has BECOME.
That is good counsel for us in regard to people-both ourselves and others. We do not dwell on what or who we once were, for we have been changed. We are a new creature, a new creature alive in Christ.
(“Alive in Christ, The Miracle of Spiritual Rebirth” by: Robert L. Millet p. 120-121)
I hope each of us have resilience, tenacity and determination, in becoming our highest and best self.

A preeminent realist painter, Sandy – as do all great masters – carries on the traditions and canons of classical art ideology practiced from the Renaissance down through 19th century. Her paintings and drawings demonstrate her virtuosity, a manifestation of unparalleled technical excellence, which result in great works of lasting beauty. Sandy’s unsurpassed knowledge of anatomy, color theory and design, facilitate her portrayal of the human condition – in all its complexities – with breathtaking elegance and mastery. Sandy’s feels privileged to paint her testimony through her love of the scriptures, and passion for religious figurative painting.

Sandy’s husband is writer, Dave Gagon. They have three children.

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