Wax pictures. I used to love making them.

Do you remember, as a child, taking a strong piece of paper and covering it completely with coloured wax crayons?

I always made stripes of different colours. Then the whole picture would be covered black wax. Messy, but worth it. Because when you then took your completely black picture and scratched a pattern or drawing on it, surprising colours sprang up from beneath, creating a magical image.

We are a bit like those wax pictures.

In our early years we lay down beautiful colours as we savour each experience: the joy of raindrops on our faces, the smell of cut grass, our amazement and awe when we witness some miracle of nature – the opening of a flower and a bee collecting nectar, the force of the wind lifting you off your feet, or the new lamb springing around in the field.

As we grow, more wonderful colours are added as we experience love, friendship and human connection.

But every person ,at some point in life, experiences darker days – the death of a loved one, the break-up of friendship, illness or pain. During those times it can feel as though the black wax takes over and overwhelms us. We see only the darkness. We feel only the blackness piling in on us.

Yet in time, someone or something begins to scratch away at that darkness, revealing the colours beneath.

You are still there.

Your colours begin to peep through once more. You will never be the exactly the same as you were before the darkness. Yet the picture that emerges may become even more magnificent–more intricate, more expressive.

You are no longer just blocks of colour.

Now you have emerged, transformed, become a piece of art.

And guess what? If you don't like a line, you now know how to change it. Cover it with black and redraw whatever you wish.

Before, you were the palate.

Now, you are the artist!

Enjoy.

Mandy

www.mandybrown.co.uk