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THE PLEIN AIR CONNECTION NEWSLETTER October 11th, 2013



Sherri Mitchell receives a new Name, "wana homu gwaset" From right to left Gkisid tan a moogk Pipe Carrier, Wana homu gwaset, and Miigam' Agam Pipe Carrier.

My wife and I were invited to a beautiful Wabanaki naming ceremony for our daughter Sherri Mitchell. The presence of God was keenly felt there and was mingled with the love we all had for Sherri. We all gathered around the sacred fire just as in other ceremonies I've attended, but this one was above all the rest and being carried out by two very special pipe carriers, Gkisid tan a moogk and his wife Miigam' Agam. What struck me about the way they conducted the ceremony was how humble and generous they were toward everyone who gathered in the circle. There was a time to say a prayer before Sherri's new name was announced where we all revealed our prayer for Sherri before the Creator. I told everyone in the circle that I had once argued with Sherri for over two hours when she was twelve and that I knew then that she would be a lawyer someday. But then I prophesied that she would become a great voice for her nation and would be a world changer. My prayer for her was that she would always hear and speak the words of the Creator. We ended the ceremony by smoking the peace pipe if we chose to. But the most powerful part of the ceremony for me was when these two pipe carriers explained how they came up with the name for our daughter. What they did was fast and pray for about five months. Then when the Creator gave them the name: "Wana homu gwaset" they went to the elders who confirmed too that this was to be her spiritual name. Although the name has a long originating story, it basically means," She who brings the light." Both of these pipe carriers went around the circle to introduce Sherri by her new spiritual name and we each pronounced her name, "Wana homu gwaset" and gave her a hug. 

Although my wife and I have a different spirituality, we were both deeply moved by this ceremony because the pipe carriers sought righteousness from their Creator in their love for Sherri, not just unconditional love. What I mean by righteousness is that they actually prayed and fasted for five months then went to the elders for it to be confirmed. I believe that these pipe carriers knew their identity because they operated out of a heart that served to give a spiritual Wabanaki name the Creator would give our daughter. For this, they sought God alone. If our own leaders in todays churches and even political parties would just seek God in prayer and fast, maybe they too would hear from God and get agreement and real solutions among their elders, leadership and nation. 

As an artist I think it is imperative to seek God alone when creating an original work of art that will affect others. But what we do that is a poor substitute, is seek out other artists and mimic what we like about what they are doing. We never get around to seeking God at all. It is no different than spiritual leaders who are sometimes asked to pray into things and instead of doing this they immediately discuss it with other spiritual leaders, who then discuss it with other spiritual leaders. What this brings is an empty love that only states what is believed among the circle of friends, not a true revelation of what God actually thinks. Going to others as an artist can seem dedicated and unconditional too, but actually falls flat because it does not contain the unique fingerprint of how the Creator actually sees or thinks through you.

In the first chapter of the book The Art Spirit written by Robert Henri, he says, "The work of the art student is no light matter. Few have the courage and stamina to see it through. You have to make up your mind to be alone in many ways. We like sympathy and we like to be in company. It is easier than going it alone. But alone one gets acquainted with himself, grows up and on, not stopping with the crowd. It costs to do this. If you succeed somewhat you may have to pay for it as well as enjoy it all your life." 

I think what Henri is talking about is to go to God alone for inspiration and revelation, then be ready to pay a price. For the two pipe carriers it meant prayer and fasting. Then, only after doing that for five months, they went to their friends to confirm it. The deepest love ever shown is one that has righteousness added to it. And to get that you have to spend just a little more time alone with our Creator for original vision, inspiration and revelation. Not only does the best art get informed that way but I think we are designed for that kind of supernatural relationship.

In the past few months I have personally witnessed my church send into the mission field two very close spiritual friends of my wife and I. One was sent to Florida and the other more recently to Montana. Both were prayed over by the church and both cried at the thought of actually leaving us behind as we did. But what both of them were doing was following a calling from their Creator that they received by seeking the Creator alone. Through their tears and sometimes loneliness they became examples to my wife and I of strength, courage and stamina. A character trait we desire for ourselves. They both clearly knew who they were and were solid in their identity particularly in their relationship with their daily walk in seeking God. Both were very visual and one a spiritual dancer, who were so much more than I can write about and will be sorely missed. 


Heather Kitchen Dancing at the newly named,"Grace Church."

But what is most important here is that they both in a very short time grew up and accepted the identity that God revealed to them of who they were. They both cherished their emotions and knew they were not with us to simply do what has already been done. They both had a genuine heart and hunger for their Creator and I have seen them as master's of their abilities. Not unlike my daughter Sherri whom has taken the responsibility of her spiritual name upon herself with the understanding that it will not only enable her to enjoy her life more but will exact a cost.


Glen Gerrity gazing in the glory of God at Katahdin Lake, Maine

So what is in a name? The fullness of your identity; especially when the Creator was front and center in that process.  Thank you Gkisid tan a moogk and Miigam' Agam for reminding us of that through the naming of our daughter. It has grounded my daughter who now understands who she is and what she is to do. She will soon be moving out of our home and taking her place in the great cause as my other two friends have done as they all change our world in the advancement of true love in righteousness. 

This last week I decided to complete my design for a table to be auctioned off to benefit the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor. My entry is called, "Blue Lobster". It is painted in one-shot enamel sign paint. I chose it because I discovered that one in five thousand north Atlantic lobsters are born blue. When I thought of how special the blue lobster really is I thought of how it is like Heather Kitchen, Glen Garrity and Sherri Mitchell; the three people who I talked about who are all uniquely different, have discovered their identity and are walking in it. I was thinking that they are also one in five thousand. The netting represents the embracing love of a righteous Creator that has captured their hearts. If you ever have the privilege to sit and have a cup of coffee with Glen Gerrity who asks you,"So what's your problem?", or stand in awe as you are defended by Sherri Mitchell in a court of law, or see the incredible lines of Heather Kitchen's dance in the spirit, you will see the beauty that my wife and I have experienced in these people who are like one in five thousand.  This table was painted to honor them and people like them who pay a cost to be who they are so that our lives could experience more of the Creator's fullness.


"The Blue Lobster" Table design for the Children's Museum Auction in November.
If you would like to bid on this table for the auction or would like more information on the live auction Click Here.

This Saturday the Plein Air Connection will be meeting at the Holy Grounds Coffee Shop at the newly named "Grace Church." If you would like to come and share more about spirituality and art, we would love to have you come and hang out with us. We will continue to discuss the book, The Art Spirit by Robert Henri and we are at the beginning of the book just beyond the introduction section. I will bring an extra book if anyone needs one. Please bring a lunch, we will meet between 10 am to 12 noon.

With Kind Regards,

Michael E. Vermette
Coordinator of the Plein Air Connection