Sonia Delaunay was born in the Ukraine in 1885 and died in Paris in 1979. Her early life included the death of her father and her adoption by the Terk family, which afforded her a precious formal education. She found art and pushed toward a prolific and prestigious career marked in 1964 by her being the first living female artist to have a retrospective at the Louvre. Her work is displayed in museums and collections around the world. She donated all of her remaining work to the Pompidou in Paris before her death.

Sonia and her husband, Robert, co-founded an abstraction movement called Orphism (1911-1912), based on the belief that visual art should be as lyrical and harmonious as music. Sonia believed in color and geometry, saw these in all things, and used this inspiration on canvas, textiles, interior design, even cars. She lived in an age of invention and became a master inventor herself.

I appreciate the story behind this abstracted, geometric piece. It is the reaction of this artist to the new invention of electric lamplights on the streets of Paris. She was fascinated by the glow and light patterns these created and painted from her moments of new wonder. The seemingly inserted rectangle toward the left continues our own spirit of wonder.

This artist was a pioneer of observation and uniquely painted gratitude. May we also notice the new pieces of our own landscapes and give thanks in our own ways. We are grateful for the artists who remind us the world is glorious and our praise can be unceasing. Thanks be to God.

In gratitude, faith and hope,