The story behind the story - Part Two

There are TWO notes I want to highlight about the medium and materials: One is the fact that under those paintings are several layers of other paintings that have been attempted and then scraped down. Not just a few layers- a LOT of layers. These scraped down layers built up a wonderful texture of which I was able to overlay and burnish with gold leaf, - and this created a distressed patina and a beautiful surface to begin applying the final colors! I wanted to mention this because the act of building up and then scraping down reminded me of the sanctification process we all go through as God’s children on this journey of ours. And that brings me to the second note which is the use of gold. Have you ever noticed how Gold is used all throughout scripture? from the gold under the river flowing out of the garden, to the gold used in the temple of the Israelites, and the gold described being used in the new Jerusalem. Each panel is overlaid with gold to represent God’s continuous and meaningful co-creation with us his children. He is making us into a new creation, refining and burnishing us into a wonderful rich (and dare I say - aged!) patina. Gold represents the treasure hidden inside each of us (which is The Holy Spirit - that same spirit who is with us in the peaks and valleys of life, and even who was there with me in the quiet of my studio co-creating along side of me). Gold represents the riches of our inheritance because God himself is the source of all abundance.

The entire chapter of Hebrews 11 is a really cool picture of this whole concept - because it is by faith we journey with our great God, by faith we trust in his promises, and by faith we join those who have sojourned before us - so I will conclude with verses 13-16 from that chapter - “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a City.”

The story behind the story - Part One

“SOJOURNERS” is based on the passage from 1 Chronicles 29:15 “For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.”

This project ended up being very personal for me when a few years ago, in 2020, I began to ponder what kind of art would be appropriate for this space in our church. I wanted to create a series of works that tell the big picture / story-arc of the Bible. But I wrestled with how to tell it - I kept asking myself - what kind of imagery would tell this story in a way that is fresh and new? (I mean - I loved my picture bibles as a kid but that wasn’t the kind of art I wanted to create- I wanted to create something sophisticated!).

I needed time to think. So I went away. I left town. I went backpacking in the sierras for three weeks. I got out of the concrete jungle and I went up into nature. (I hiked the John Muir Trail specifically, which in my opinion is one of THE most beautiful backpacking trails in nature) And on that trip I prayed a lot. I walked a lot - 211 miles to be exact - and while I was walking I prayed every day -all day- for three weeks. Not just about art but about everything. I had no reception, no distractions, just my thoughts. Praying and singing hymns and asking God for strength to make it over those high mountain passes. I felt an intense awareness of the Holy Spirit up there and we had some really good conversations. -maybe it was the elevation - I don’t know - but all I know is that he was THERE with me - helping me the whole way until the finale when I made it to the top of Mt Whitney.

And then I came home to my studio still thinking- praying- and asking the spirit for help, and finally after several months and several painting attempts later it dawned on me how God wanted me to tell this story- From the viewpoint of the sojourner! These needed to be landscapes! But Not traditional landscapes, because I wanted to create something poetic by using color, form and movement but also something that leaves plenty of room for the imagination - to draw us into the adventure- Beginning with a lush garden, moving under a deluge of water, then far out to the dry desert wilderness, trudging back through the deep waters on dry ground, and culminating with our arrival in that high country - The new heaven and earth - the new Jerusalem- in God’s eternal kingdom of light.
So The paintings are meant to be a personal reflection on our spiritual state before God, AND a meditation on the story-arc of scripture. We are all sojourners, in a Historical sense and a spiritual sense. We travel through this temporary earthly home, like a backpacker passing through with nothing but a burden on our backs. the journey is difficult and sometimes we lose our way. But we keep faith by remembering that God is trustworthy, and he is always with us until one day when we reach the top of that highest mountain peak - when all is made new and we are dwelling with God and sharing in his glory for eternity. (…read part two continued)

New Series "Sojourners" now on display at Grace Fellowship Church

This past Sunday (10/30/22) I presented the new series “Sojourners” to my home church in Costa Mesa, California. The panels had been installed for a few weeks and then I was able to explain the work to the church body at Sunday’s service. This is a detail shot of a piece titled “The Deluge” 60”x36” from Genesis 7:11-16. The Red color has meaning! More on that soon.

"BLOOM: Taste and See That the Lord is Good"

30” x 22” Watercolor and Acrylic on Paper. Commission for 2021 Bloom Fundraiser in Newport Beach, CA.

Be Fruitful

2018 Commission work for “Bloom” Fundraiser in Newport Beach, CA. 24”x36” Watercolor on Paper.