Working on this painting I thought of an exerpt from The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, by James McBride. When I picked up the book, with paint still on my fingers, the first page I turned to contained the text I wanted. I love moments when the universe and I agree. "...One afternoon on the way home from church I asked her whether God was black or white.
A deep sigh. 'Oh boy...God's not black. He's not white. He's a spirit.'
'Does he like black or white people better?'
'He loves all people. He's a spirit.'
'What's a spirit?'
"A spirit's a spirit.'
'What color is God's sprit?'
'It doesn't have a color,' she said. 'God is the color of water.' "