Crescent Hill Baptist Church

self-portrait

Reflection on Jenny's self-portrait:

My first thought in viewing this self-portrait by Jenny when she was just an adolescent was, "Wow! Wonderful choice of colors and medium." A flowering, budding tree, I see in this portrait. Without being too analytical, I must admit to seeing much more in Jenny's choice of colors, and the use of tissue paper for the collage. I see LIFE in her choice of blues (like running water); the greens remind me of growth; and the pinks, barely one fourth of the face, (and faintly appearing around the head), speak soberly to me of a life that bloomed, but briefly. The tissue paper reminds me of how fragile life is, truly. The neck which supports and turns the head is splashed with red which in Christian symbolism is both life-eternal and blood shed. The prominent gold hair, including the eyebrows, and the neck speak of a treasure; this gold is made motley with hidden reds. And, again, knowing what we know now, Jenny's life on earth ended at such a young age, the treasure was her, and her life among us. Now she is gone, our treasure is a muted-red. Those serious eyes, wide and blue look to the other side of life with anticipation, howbeit, with questions for the Creator. This portrait makes me weep and rejoice, both at the same time. Thanking God for the life Jenny lived among us.

C.J. Phipps
Oct 14, 2004

CRESCENT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH
2800 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky 40206
(502) 896-4425