This painting of Cross Vine is part of my Painting a Day for Pandemic project. Every day through the end of the April I'm going to paint & sell an original watercolor for $50 & at the end of the month, donate half the proceeds to a person or organization in particular need due to the current economic situation.

‘Cross Vine’ : “I am the vine; you are the branches. . . abide in my love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends. . .” and that’s what Good Friday is all about. (excerpts from John 15)

Our next door neighbor planted this Cross Vine on his side of the fence only a couple of years ago but it’s grown like crazy & now we get to enjoy it on our side— & right by our hammock, no less! It’s so beautiful & I had already chosen it as a subject for one of these paintings but didn’t know which day I would use it. . . and then I remembered the name & I knew today was the day. The only reason we can call Good Friday ‘good’ is because of what happened three days later. And because of what happened three days later, we live with brilliant hope, regardless of our circumstances, knowing that all sad things will literally come untrue someday; a message so good it is hard to believe but a better one for this time, I cannot imagine.