“Deserving”
Recently I finished my latest painting called “Deserving”. It is 36″ in diameter, which is a little larger than I am used to working, but I really enjoyed the challenge. One challenge in particular for making larger works is increasing your amount of density. In other words I can’t just assume that I can take design concepts from a smaller painting and blow them up on a larger scale… my RANGE of detail has to become greater.
detail of “Deserving”
In a previous post I mentioned that I would be exploring themes from the book of Isaiah. This painting is the first in this particular series. I would like to go into a little more depth, but not TOO much because over-explained artworks can lose their magic.
This painting comes from two different passages in Isaiah – 2:19-21 and 4:5-6. The first passage describes when God comes to judge Israel because they have turned away from Him. People will hide in caves from His terror. I chose to clothe the figures in purple because it is a color of royalty.
When we make ourselves royalty instead of the One who made us, there are always consequences.
In chapter four, after the Babylonian exile, Isaiah describes a canopy that will shelter the “remnant” (those that have remained faithful and ALIVE) even after the judgement and exile – as well as a pillar of fire and smoke at night and a cloud by day that will shelter and guide them.
I am showing these two passages happening in the same painting for two reasons:
1. Because God is not bound by chronological time.
2. Because I wanted to show hope in the midst of darkness.
The figures are reaching out to receive God’s judgement (“consuming fire”) but also His guidance .
I hope the exploration into this painting has made the viewing experience richer for you. As always, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment if you have any further questions.
