"Breezy Blue"
A Little French Painting
Text and images ©Barbara Bjelland, 2024, 2026
Are you longing for spring? Here in West Michigan we are having record cold temperatures with lots of clouds and snow. Let me share the story of my little French painting to help flood your heart with sunshine. This painting is entitled “Breezy Blue” (Chartres France). It is currently displayed in the West Michigan Arts Competition in Lowell, MI, through March 28, 2026.
People sometimes ask me how I get the idea for a painting.
In this case, I took a photo on location in Chartres France (autumn of 2024), while on a seminary course on the art of mission. This wonderful course was all about how Christians have used visual arts since early times to express their love for God and confidence in Christ’s resurrection, build up the church, and reach out to their communities.
One of our many highlights was our trip to the Chartres cathedral. The cathedral tells the story of God in stained glass and stone. Pilgrims still journey to the cathedral, and walk the center labyrinth embedded in the floor. (Coming to my website store soon: a walking labyrinth and instructions on how to make your own finger labyrinth: www.BarbaraBjelland.com)
After our tour of the cathedral we trotted down the hill to catch the bus. It was then that I caught a glimpse of this sight, that is now my “Breezy Blue” painting. I chose it for the simple reason that I noticed the yellow stucco building (center left) and some yellow flowers in the foreground. I added the running girl based on a girl I had seen with a straw hat sitting on her father's lap at an outdoor cafe.
She skips down the path like the clouds that float across the sky, blown by the wind. She seems to have a story of all her own. Where do you think she is going?
When we look at paintings we can identify with a person or object in the painting. I identify with this young girl, as being on a wondrous journey following the path of my Lord wherever he leads.
Here is a closing prayer for all of us:
Lord God, may we glimpse your beauty and feel the warmth of your love, flooding our heart like sunshine. May we walk with Christ on our pilgrim journey all of our days, until at the last we see him face to face in glory. Amen
What a lovely painting--I have not been to Chartres, but am adding it to my list. The girl speaks to me, also. Best of luck in the art competition!
Hi Barb! What a charming, beautiful painti g! Your post really did warm my heart with sunshine--the uplifting, inspired image and especially the delightful story of how the painting came to be. And also the fact that you identify with the girl and see her as being on a journey, like our Christian journey to follow Jesus and draw closer and closer to God and God's Kingdom every day. I love it!