10 years ago I had the privilege to be visiting the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London with my family. I have been fortunate to return a few times since, but on that first occasion I distinctly remember the wave of emotion and feelings of awe as I stood for the very first time before Claude Monet’s painting of Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge.

I was mesmerised by the beauty of this particular canvas and the use of colour and light to produce such a quality piece of art. I felt like I was standing in that garden and looking at that bridge and it was from that moment that my admiration for Monet’s creative artworks began to grow. My love for this particular piece means I purchased a replica cross stitch kit the last time I was in London so that I could recreate this artwork to have on my own wall.

I have now seen a few pieces of Monet’s work in London, Paris, Cardiff and just recently I was able to stand before 19 of his pieces as part of a special French Impressionism collection on display at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne.

The advertising for this limited time exhibition boasts “19 Monet’s, 15 Renoir’s and 11 Degas’s” and while I was interested in all the pieces on display, it was Monet I was there to see.

When I walked into the room towards the end of the exhibition that housed the bulk of the Monet works my child who was participating in this experience with me, Phoenix, became concerned with my sudden change in demeanour. They asked if I was okay as my eyes filled with tears and I drank in one whole room with every wall containing multiple Monet’s to view.

Up until this point I was filled with excited anticipation of seeing that quantity of his works in one place. Prior to this I may have seen half a dozen in one place at any one time.

Some of my favourites of his works are the ones which use pastel colours and imprecise strokes. I love the description of ‘impressionism’ as his pictures give more of an impression of a scene rather than a lifelike reproduction. Imagine my surprise then when both Phoenix and I chose our favourite piece as this one …

It is called ‘Road at La Cavée, Purville’ which he painted in 1882. We took some time to reflect upon the reasons for this. Phoenix summed it up beautifully when they said, “It makes me want to be in that place and walk down that path.” Monet’s visual description was so enticing to us I had to look it up and add it to my list of ‘places I’d love to visit one day’ which also includes his home and garden!

This recent opportunity was wonderful to experience and it has caused me to consider how a depiction of a particular location can increase our desire to go and see it for ourselves. It then prompted me to think about how I represent places that I desire others to experience. What about how I describe church community? Or Christian events? Or Heaven?

The Bible uses words and the community of faith-filled people is beautifully described in Acts chapter 2 verses 42 to 47, and then the vision of Heaven is pictured through the words in Revelation chapter 21 verses 18 to 27.

How well do I represent these places? I am no painter, accurate or impressionistic but I can paint a picture with words and the enthusiasm I use when I express them. Would it have the effect of people wanting to experience them for themselves? I am praying that it will. How will you represent these places for others to enjoy? I know where you can buy some good art supplies!

Be blessed.