Sense of Wonder, Morning Clouds daily painting by Everglades artist JoAnn Sanborn

Morning Clouds

5x7, acrylic on canvas, framed

$150

There's a note on my desk that just says "wonder." Its been there long enough that I'm not sure what it refers too. Did I want to talk about a child's sense of wonder? How every artist needs a sense of wonder? Did I want to spend more time wondering about something?

In definition, it refers to feeling awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration. It's the emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or marvelous. Something we seem to lose as we grow older, but something often seen in the face of a two year old.

The natural places of our world like the Everglades provide a sense of wonder if we just take the time to appreciate the moment. Sunset, sunrise, building clouds, light playing on moving water, a group of palm trees tall against the sky all have elements that cause me to marvel at their beauty. Was it these things I wanted to write about?

When we stop to look at, wonder about, or are amazed by a beautiful painting, we gain a sense of something deeper than ourselves, something that celebrates our very being human and helps connect us to each other and the world around us.

And let's not forget that we are human, very human. Artist Hugh MacLeod says it all, with less.

And I wonder at his uncanny ability to get it right so often! Thanks, Hugh.