Sometimes Only the Art Can Talk Plus Instructions for Visio Divina
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But of course my art is very silent, because some of the things you want to say, words are not enough, and only the art can talk.” —Alice Lok Cahana
These words by Alice Lok Cahana beautifully express one reason why I love visual art. This is why engaging with art helps me belong to myself, others, God, and the world.
Alice Lok Cahana was an artist and Holocaust survivor. She painted the Holocaust—only the Holocaust—to honor those who never returned. She gave the painting No Names (1991) to Pope Benedict and now it hangs in the Sistine Chapel. A portion of No Names is in the second image I posted.
Cahana’s words above also help explain why I love practicing visio divina (spiritual seeing, divine seeing) with paintings and other forms of visual art. I included instructions for visio divina below, in case you’d like to try it.
I wrote about visio divina in The Great Belonging: How Loneliess Leads Us to Each Other in the section called Belonging through Art. I wrote about going to the Georgia O’Keefe museum in Santa Fe (ugh I miss Santa Fe) and three paintings I saw there and what those paintings said to me.
Art helps me belong. And sometimes this happens when God uses art to show me more of who I am.
If you’re curious about various angles of loneliness and some of the ways we belong to ourselves, others, and God, you might like my first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. You can buy it wherever you prefer to buy books.
Instructions for Visio Divina
Visio divina is a form of divine seeing in which we prayerfully give our attention God’s presence and ask God to show us what we need to see while we look at a work of art, an image, or even something outside in the natural world.
While you gaze at the art, image, or object in nature, consider the questions below for silent reflection. This time of contemplation might be exciting. It might be dull. It might seem like nothing is happening, but sometimes things happen in our minds and souls that we can’t discern.
Before you give your attention to the image, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Notice your breath and your body.
Then open your eyes and be present with the art or image or object. Ask God to meet you in this space, with this particular image.
Gaze at the image for at least three minutes. Then consider the questions below. You can take notes, if you like. And stay with the image for at least a total of 10 minutes.
How do you feel while you’re looking at the image or object?
What part of the image or object first captured your attention?
How does that particular portion of the image or object relate to the whole?
If you had to describe the image or object in a sentence or two to someone else, what would you say?
How does this image or object awaken your senses?
Does this image or object make you feel less lonely or more lonely?
If you were in the image, where would you place yourself ?
Where would you place God in the image?
What is God showing you about yourself, others, the world, and God?
What prayers come to mind?
What worries come to mind?
What longings come to mind?
In silence, sit with what you have received. Stay with the image or object for at least 10 minutes. You can take notes if you like. Try to come up with a word or phrase that captures your experience of the image or object.
If you like, you can also journal about the experience and revisit the questions listed above.
Charlotte Donlon is a writer, spiritual director, and gatherer whose work centers on helping people explore themes of belonging through art, spiritual growth, and how to Flourish Anyway™, even when life is full, busy, or chaotic. Her work has woven together themes of belonging, art, and soul exploration for more than 25 years. With a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing (2015-2018) and a certificate in spiritual direction (2018-2020), Charlotte guides individuals and communities in fostering sanctuaries of acceptance and connection—her approach warmly welcomes people from all backgrounds, regardless of faith tradition or spiritual inclinations.
A Christian in the Episcopal church who believes the tenets of the Nicene Creed, Charlotte employs a universal framework of belonging and connection in her spiritual direction work that’s welcoming to all and fosters meaningful, soulful conversations.
In 2020, Broadleaf Books published Charlotte's first book, The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. Her book, Spiritual Direction for Writers, is slated for release by Eerdmans in September 2026.
As the founder of several initiatives, including Flourish Anyway™, Thoughtful Books Etc.™, Belonging through Art™, Spiritual Direction for Writers®, Spiritual Direction for Belonging®, and Parenting with Art®, Charlotte has established herself as a thought leader and an authentic presence at the intersection of creativity and spirituality. Her essays have been featured in prominent publications such as The Washington Post, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, and The Millions, among others. A new essay about art conservation, Joan Mitchell, and mystery is forthcoming with Image.
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