October - Valley of the Shadow
by Ken Walker
Title
October - Valley of the Shadow
Artist
Ken Walker
Medium
Digital Art - Digital Painting
Description
12th and final installment of the artist's Ides series: A collection representing the heart of the months of the year. October draws its inspiration Psalm 23.
Artist Note: "Regardless of your religion or lack thereof, if you've lived long long enough in the states, you will undoubtedly come across this most famous passage in the Bible read during funerals. It is an analogy whereby the writer is identifying himself as a sheep, amongst the flock, needing protection from a good Shepherd - which for the writer is the Hebrew God, "Yahweh". He realizes that even though we walks in the darkest valley where the fear of death (the shadow of death) is all around him, he fears no evil because he believes his God will protect him because he is valued, like a shepherd protect and nurtures his flock.
Again, regardless of your religious designation, we can all take comfort in something greater than ourselves that we can hold onto to get us through dark and trying times, and the FEAR of it. And like the sheep in Ps. 23, we also have each other, moving along through that valley. We have friends and family, and our Higher Power, to reach out and grab us around the neck and pull us to safety when we go astray, just like the shepherd who uses the crook of his staff to grab onto strays, keeping them out of harms way.
Additionally, it should be noted that FEAR is usually over-inflated. How often I've seen this image when I think about the road ahead, only to discover that the bright reds are the glows of the hearts of those that will walk alongside me, the jagged rocks, are the handholds to which I can climb higher, and the darkness is just the back drop by which the light finds its context. Oh, and the boogeyman lurking in the darkness? He's only the silhouette cast by my own fears that soon dispel to reveal the peaceful self-image in the mirror - and I am not alone, for I have love surrounding me, and the path ahead is clear again.
Uploaded
September 22nd, 2021
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Comments (6)
VIVA Anderson
knowing no fear ! in the valley of the shadow ! YES !!
Ken Walker replied:
...my muse is bored? LOL thanks for stopping by - I may feel it, but trying to walk through it.
Ken Walker
Oh the joy - first thank you for your kind words VIVA, beloved friend. Second, what irony that I had to look up the word "erudition" not knowing the meaning of the word that means to have or show great knowledge. Just can't make this stuff up LOL You pushed my vocabulary on this comment for sure. Back to study vocabulary! Thank God for google. I admit I have mixed feeling about this one, but it seemed to fit with the message...so be it. Thanks again. LUV. :)
VIVA Anderson
red October! How very gorgeous , all the more so as symbolism for your erudition, your beautiful premise, and, promise of being protected, of knowing no fear, when encountering the jagged vicissitudes of life. Kudos, Ken! An artistic glory, so personal, so universal. Thank you, for sharing, encouraging, your steadfast Faith…..fv/VIVA 🙏
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