Life Behind the Art: Paul Smith

Once again, we are reminded by the God Almighty that everything that He has created fits perfectly in its place. We are called to believe in His divinity and we are called to serve a purpose in our life. As we go on with our daily routine, as we gather strength to overcome our recent failures and as we continue to entertain the spirit of doubt and discontent, I ask you to take a look at the images here, and most especially, I ask you to take a look at the great man and his life’s purpose behind his great art.

 Images are taken from http://www.paulsmithfoundation.org

More of his art at  Paul Smith Foundation

 This is his story taken from the Paul Smith Foundation

 
Paul was born in Philadelphia on September 21, 1921. Although severe cerebral palsy kept him out of school, it didn’t prevent him from having a remarkable life. Never having a chance as a child to receive a formal education, Paul taught himself to become a master artist as well as a terrific chess player. With much humility and a charming, self-depreciating sense of humor, he became a man who excelled at making the lives of those around him much richer.

Paul spoke of his family and of his upbringing in very affectionate terms. He often recalled boating trips on the Delaware River and, later, to Bermuda. It’s no surprise that he made a couple dozen pictures of boats and ships.
As a young adult, Paul moved with his parents to Hollywood, Florida where he lived until they passed away.
His incredible visualization and calculation skills helped to make him a formidable chess player. Paul would stop doing just about anything else when he had a chance to play a game!

When typing, Paul used his left hand to steady his right one. Since he couldn’t press two keys at the same time, he almost always locked the shift key down and made his pictures using the symbols at the top of the number keys.

In other words, his pictures were based on these characters …

@     #     $     %     ^     &     *     (     )     _    

Across seven decades, Paul created hundreds of pictures. He often gave the originals away. Sometimes, but not always, he kept or received a copy for his own records. Be sure to visit the gallery at this site to see images of his pictures in detail. As his mastery of the typewriter grew, he developed techniques to create shadings, colors, and textures that made his work resemble pencil or charcoal drawings. In the sample collection of his work at this site are examples from a variety of stages in Paul’s development as an artist. It’s interesting to see how he gradually refined his use of perspective and coloring, and how his subject matter reflected the events and personalities of the times.

From 1967 until his death on June 25, 2007, Paul lived at Rose Haven Nursing Center in Roseburg, Oregon, USA.
He was, and is, an inspiration for all.

For more information about Paul, and additional samples of his work, please explore other parts of this site or read Chess and Art — Two Expressions of One Man’s Life, at Chessville.com.

 

 

 

It Is Well With My Soul

 Listen While You Read

“It Is Well With My Soul”

                 Once again I was blessed to have heard the Good News as I sat on my usual spot, one Sunday morning. This  day I came to know Horatio G. Spafford, a prominent Presbyterian lawyer in Chicago during the 19th century. He penned the song, It Is Well With My Soul. The song is probably one of the best gospel tunes ever written.  It reminds us that amidst the hardships and trials of our human lives, God IS the only refuge. It is only FROM God that we can draw True strength. He will never forsake us. It reminds us not to dwell on our personal tragedies and sorrows, instead focus on Christ’s saving work and be thankful for God’s unconditional love for us.

    Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer during his time. Amidst the wealth of provisions, he devoted his time with reading the scriptures and involving himself with various Christian activities. As a prominent figure in Chicago, he invested greatly with real estate properties near the Michigan Lake. Tragedy  struck, when a fire in Chicago wiped out almost the entire city in 1871, including most of his properties. He also lost his only son from pneumonia at the age of four. Some time after the fire, Horatio scheduled a family trip to Europe. He wanted to unwind from the unfortunate events that seem to target him the past few years. It was not only a trip for his family to relax and enjoy, but also a way to assist their friends’ evangelistic missions in Britain. The last minute before their departure, Horatio was unexpectedly held back with some business emergencies. He never was meant to travel with them. The family was forced to leave, as scheduled, ahead of him. They boarded the S.S. Ville du Havre. A few days after, on November 22, the  ship was struck by an iron sailing English vessel, Lockhearn and within a few minutes, sank. All but Horatio’s wife, Anna survived. 

As soon as the survivors were brought to Wales, Anna sent her husband a telegram with her famous two words, “Saved Alone”. Horatio immediately set out to go to his wife by ship. The same route where the ill fated Ville du Havre sank taking his beloved daughters with it. And at the spot of their watery graves, he wrote the words to the song which so deeply describes his grief… but in his sorrow, he found strength in God and faith that whatever and however the trials may come… IT IS WELL WITH HIS SOUL because he has God as his Savior. 

Paid in Full

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning  of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and  told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, “With all your money you give  me  a Bible?” and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business.
     
He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things. When he arrived at  his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With
tears,  he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It  had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the
sports  car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,  and the words…PAID IN FULL. 

How many times do we miss God’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?