My social media feeds have been filled with memes lamenting the interminable greyness of January, the month that regularly wins votes for "most depressing month" or some such accolade. Yet writing now, my experience has been somewhat different, in that the month of January feels as if it has passed by so quickly as to go almost unnoticed. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that since mid-December, I have scarcely slept for more than three nights in a row in my own home. Indeed, in the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, I made twenty-one trips across county borders, near and far. Add to that a last-minute icon commission that needed to be completed by mid-January and a week's escape to warmer climes, and the whole month passed by in a perpetual Bartlet-style* "What's next?"
*This is a reference to the 1990s US television show, the West Wing, recounting the White House administration of a fictional president, Josiah Bartlet. If you haven't seen it, you really should. First, because, well, it's probably the best (aka. my favourite) TV show of all time. Secondly, because it will renew your hope that there are good people in the world and remind you that it is possible to be US president and act with intelligence and integrity.
So, I found myself suddenly arriving at the beginning of February and taking a deep breath, taking stock of my surroundings and trying to settle back into something approaching my usual routines. It hasn't been easy and empty days to while away in my studio have still been rather few. If you're used to following my weekday posts on social media, you may have noticed that my daily updates have also been rather lacking until a renewed focus this week. Which is all to say that I have spent a good deal of time over the past few weeks holding onto those things that remind me of that inner stillness, even when all around me is in a whirlwind. We have arrived properly into this new year of 2025 and it is time to settle into whatever it shall bring. As I have reflected on these themes, three ideas have held my attention.
First, I have been reminded once more just how much I value uncluttered time in my studio. Being able to focus on creativity is a way for me to silence the clamour of all else that is going on and to enter that place of inner stillness. It evokes the concept that I first heard about while a curate many years ago, that of "creative repair". In her work as a priest and psychotherapist, Anne C Holmes developed this concept as being “regular, active engagement with the creative arts as a way of repairing energy expended in sensitive pastoral care”. Quoting artist, Anthony Gormley, Anne writes:
“Art is intrinsic to who we are. . . it expresses a joy in being, a connection with all living beings, an awareness of the is-ness, but the absolute and utter need to join it, to make it and in that making, to register our extraordinary ability to reflect on existence.”
To be in my studio is in some way to reconnect with the creative energy that sustains all of Creation, to allow the Divine energy to flow through my daily prayers and the tasks of the pen or brush. It is that creative energy that repairs my inner unsettledness, that calls me back to myself and who I am created to be and to the vocation that I have been given. And that energy within God's creation leads into the second idea that caused me to stop and ponder.
Returning home most recently for what I thought would be a more settled time, I noticed the first snowdrops coming up in the garden, just outside my studio window. It is a sign that the cycles of the natural world continue, thankfullly without the need for me to do anything at all. In all their fragility, frequently buffeted by wind and rain and frozen in these days of colder temperatures, the humble snowdrop still manages to push through, to survive year on year.
I find deep reassurance that, just like the darkness of Nature's winter, these times of frenetic activity, or the emotional tiredness that comes from having so much to do, will soon pass. They are but a season and as sure as the arrival of the snowdrops, a new season will be on its way.
Finally, my search brought me last Sunday to the celebration of Candlemas (or, to give it its full title, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple). Candlemas has always held great significance for me, with its links with candles and different places on my spiritual journey, from Iona to Egypt, from St Cuthman's retreat house (in West Sussex, now closed, sadly) to Northamptonshire. It was on this feast, two years ago, that I said goodbye to my congregation as we blew out our candles, and I left my parish to follow this calling to artistic ministry. I haven't yet painted the festal icon of the Presentation (note to self: I really should do this some time!) so here is a visual reminder of how Mary and Joseph encounter Symeon and Anna in the Temple, who recognise Christ as the Messiah.
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,... (Luke 2.29-31)
In this Feast, we have a looking back to the past of the Old Testament prophets, with their predictions of the coming of the Messiah to redeem God's people, and fulfilment of the law by the infant Christ being presented in the Temple. The fulfilment of that prophecy breaks into the present, as Christ is held by Simeon, witnessed by Anna and the baby's parents. And through Simeon's words, the future is assured, both in the foretelling of Christ's death and Mary's sorrow, and in the consequent salvation of God accomplished for all. Whatever is happening in our present lives, we are part of God's story; Candlemas provides us with an annual reminder that whatever is past, whatever is present, whatever is yet to come, all is held in the person of Jesus Christ.
To finish then, my reflections these past few weeks have focussed largely on creativity, Creation and Candlemas (neat alliteration, huh?!). I wonder how your 2025 has turned out so far - have you been energised by the promise of a New Year or have the demands of life (work, family, finances...) left you unsettled and in need of re-centring in a place of stillness? What is it that you give time to that can provide some of that "creative repair"? Might you find time for a nature walk, perhaps visit a local spot known for its snowdrops, or simply look into your own garden and notice the changes that are unfolding? As the celebration of Candlemas has brought our Christmas festivities to an end, so we turn towards the Cross and know that our keeping of a holy Lent will soon be upon us. Let us not allow the year to continue rushing ahead with us struggling to keep up. Instead, let us reset, within this inner place of stillness, moving forward with purpose and calm.
News
Though I suspect it to be the case, I haven't yet heard for sure that my latest commission has reached its intended recipient, so you will have to wait to see that particular icon. Meanwhile, work is continuing on an icon of the Crucifixion, as well as my continuing a course of Complex Geometry with Lisa da Long of the King's School of Traditional Arts.
The past month has also seen me added to the rota for celebrating the midweek Eucharists at Gloucester Cathedral. It is a joy and a privilege to exercise my priestly ministry in that beautiful and history-steeped place.
If you enjoy reading my blog and wish to support my ministry in a practical way, I have set up a page with "Buy me a coffee". This website, designed with creatives in mind, recognises that a whole load of my time goes into maintaining a website, keeping up with social media and writing blog posts, time that is not then available for income-generating work. Given that my passion for good coffee comes not very far behind my love for God and art (!), if you feel so inclined, you can click here to make a donation towards my ongoing ministry (but without any obligation to do so). Huge thanks to those of you who have bought me a coffee in previous months - please don't feel you have to every time or at all!
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