Sr. Kristine Haugen, OCDH, Artist

Biographical Information

Painting has become for me a way a prayer yet also teaches me how to live. When one lives a life of solitude and silence for the sake of prayer, as I do, one becomes more sensitive to beauty, especially with nature as a voice. The cycle of the seasons, predictable or with its surprises, can teach us to accept the present moment with whatever it may bring, with a peace that surpasses our understanding. For everything there is a Season. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I believe that Beauty opens a door in our soul, which is the universal longing for complete happiness. Art can give us a foretaste of this joy and lead us to the mystery of the Creator of it all whose Gift it is. Painting has sharpened my interior focus, and leads me to gratitude and love for God.

Aside from a number of recent workshops, I have had no formal art training. Living in a contemplative monastery for many years, I was only able to paint from time to time, yet encouragement from others has increased my determination to satisfy my longing to paint. Besides, a hermit needs to support themselves by the labor of their hands.

My hope is that these paintings will effect in you what is best said by Sr. Wendy Beckett: “Art is essentially beauty that draws us into the truth of our own being, and whenever we have truth and beauty we have God.”

Sr. Kristine’s website may be found at: www.hermitagearts.com

Samples of her work: