Hutchison, Roger: The Painting Table

Book info

Roger Hutchison: The Painting Table – A Journal of Loss and Joy, Morehouse Publishing, 2013. Perfect Bound/Paperback, Full-color, 64 pages, ISBN-13: 9780819229052

An accessible, simple, and beautiful book for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one, struggling in a relationship, or facing a major change in their lives. While there is grief, sadness, and loss there is also hope. There is an opportunity for celebration as we gather together, break bread, talk, and are welcomed. Whether through cooking, or painting, or Eucharist, we come together to remember. For many, life happens around the kitchen table, but in this case, we gather at the Painting Table as the reader is invited to draw pictures, record memories, and celebrate living through the creation of something new. For use by ages 6-106 and of particular value for chaplains, clergy, pastoral counselors, and Christian formation leaders.

•A story of hope, mixing color, food, artwork, and memories
•Guided questions and blank pages for reflection in word or art by the reader
•Offers a model for small group and individual reflection in times of tragedy
(individual, local or national)

What a gem! Roger Hutchison has written a wonderful little book about death and life, illustrated with his magnificent paintings. In telling his own story about his “Mammaw,” Roger invites us to experience his acclaimed Painting Table method of Christian Formation through story telling, painting and journaling. An invaluable resource for all ages. – The Rev. Robert L. Tate, President, Episcopal Church & Visual Arts (ECVA).

Imagine an ordinary kitchen table transformed by remembering, telling and listening to stories into a sacred place. In The Painting Table Roger tells a tender story through word and paintings rich in color, texture and symbolism that invites us to set an ordinary table that will be transformed into a sacred space of remembering, telling, and celebrating our own stories with vivid colors of paint, crayons and markers. With the playful spirit of an artist and blank pages with prompts he gives us permission take time to dig deeply and let our very souls talk in a language beyond words. This is the perfect book for home, Sunday School, retreats, intergenerational events and more. I can imagine a child coming home from school or an adult from a long day's work pulling this book out to trace the lines of the paintings and painting her own story for the day. Families grieving the loss of a loved one might use the book to create a storybook as handed down to the next generation. The possibilities are as endless as the communities we gather. It is a place for us to interact with sacred Word and Table of our liturgy of telling, remembering and celebrating. – Jenifer C. Gamber, author of My Faith, My Life: A Teen’s Guide to the Episcopal Church and Call on Me: A Prayer Book for Young People

The Painting Table allowed us to be expressive, in the moment, happy, sad and excited to be wet with paint. It taught us about color and blending colors to make new colors. It brought out conversations about ourselves as we expressed excitement to paint as well as some fear about lack of skill to paint... mostly the parents. The Painting Table allowed us to bond over the art while also allowing us to reflect together with our fellow parishioners. The Painting Table is addictive. Once we finished one painting we went on to another and another until the drying table was more than full with beautiful creations of art and the room was filled with happiness. The Painting Table is healing. – Tracy Day, Parishioner, Trinity Episcopal Church, Newtown, Connecticut

The Painting Table is a treasure for one person or a group experiencing the grief of loss and the sacred work of living beyond goodbyes. This book is beautiful in image and moving through word and silence. As a priest and a hospital chaplain, I have witnessed the multitude of emotions that accompany grief and loss. The Painting Table is a beautiful way to meet these unorganized and deeply personal emotions through art and reflection. Many people have experienced taking their own seat at a certain 'story-drenched' table, learning to grow as family through the sacred act of holding on and letting go - saying hello and goodbye. Roger Hutchison's gentle, heartfelt telling of his own loss and treasured memories touches those deep and familiar places. A wonderful resource for all seeking a safe place to remember. – The Reverend Carrie Craig, hospital chaplain