Pure Moments and Visual Speaking

This week, we’re pleased to have a guest blogger with us. Robin McLaurin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Early Childhood Education from Daemen College, a Master’s degree in Art Education from Texas Women’s University, and an M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Art. She has earned numerous distinctions as an artist including winner of the Red Poppy Festival Art Exhibit Grand Prize and being selected as the artist in residence at the National Gallery of the Cayman Islands. Ms. McLaurin has been an art teacher for over 15 years and has taught at all levels from lower elementary to undergraduate college students. She has taught at Grace Academy in Georgetown, Texas, since 2010 and inspires students to pursue the True, the Good, and the Beautiful as they both enjoy and create art. 

As a photographer I work to capture pure moments.  These pure moments for me are glimpses into heaven here on earth.  To recognize pure moments, I continue to train my eyes to see, my ears to hear and my heart to listen; and to be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  My days are filled with the expectation of seeing and capturing pure moments.  My hope is to share these captured God moments with those around me.

photo credit, Robin McLaurin

This past year, these pure moments have come often and when least expected, usually when my camera is not with me.  This has frustrated me.  One such moment was on the highway crossing over a creek sheltered by tall oak trees.  I looked to my right and bam.  What I saw was a beautiful sunset with brilliant oranges and deep yellows glistening off the water.  I began to lament that I did not have my camera with me when it occurred to me that this was such a pure moment that to capture it would decrease the purity and sanctity of it.  God had meant it just for me.  In exposing these pure moments to me I am entrusted with passing on His evidence of His faithfulness.

photo credit, Robin McLaurin

Pure moments, pure materials

I transfer these pure moments into my process with the use of pure materials.  My most recent body of work is anthrotypes.  This is a historical photographic practice where chlorophyll is extracted from the petals of flowers.  Once extracted the emulsion (liquid from the petals) is painted onto paper.  The flowers I used to create the emulsion, is the same flower you will see on each photograph.  They are photographs made from plant matter.  The image on the paper is created through photosynthesis.  These images were made while I lived on the Cayman Islands last summer.

photo credit, Robin, McLaurin

As we head into Thanksgiving and Christmas, I pray that you will expect to see these pure moments each day.  Pure moments are visual messages from God confirming His love for us. Pure moments serve as affirmation that He is with us always. They are visual messages from God sent specifically to you.

photo credit, Robin McLaurin

Enjoying the pure moments,

Robin McLaurin