Color Code series
The exploration of assigning letters to specific colors in order to encode text into color usage. Hiding words in my work was a fun challenge. Ultimately it relies on committed viewership and a key (see painting entitled, “color code”) for deciphering each work. This level of focus will not reach everyone.
With closer examination of Song No. 2, the quote, “It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words” from Matthew 12:34 (The Message) is tattooed to the boy’s tongue. The tattoo represents the importance of what we carry around inside our hearts. In Bird Feeder (Song No. 3), a boy's suitcase full of birdseed provides for a multitude of birds. Birds are historically a symbol of souls in western art. When I see a flock of birds I'm always reminded of community. People thrive in community because needs are met through relationships that we can not find fulfillment for in and of ourselves. We can be a vessel for the provision of others. There's a promise in the Bible that I hold dear, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NLT). As God has provided for us through Jesus Christ we become a vessel of that provision to our community because of Christ in us. He is our hope and every one has access to that hope when we love each other. We can all be a place where people can find hope, and a giving spirit.
Regarding the cloud drawings (Presence No. 1-3), I was reading the book of Numbers and stopped to think about what the manifest presence of God as a glowing cloud looked like to the Israelites. Then I realized a cloud is a great example of the invisible becoming visible. Vapor/gas concentrating into fine water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.
Inspired from a visit to a nursing home, I hope the portrait of an elderly woman sitting on the floor can be a reminder, for me at least, to give to others what I do have, my time, attention, care, my story, and the when given the opportunity the good news of Jesus Christ. Acts 3:5-7 (New International Version)
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.
Challenged to dig deeper into what the “law of life in Christ Jesus” was I created the self portrait, “In Christ”.
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 (HCSB)
After seeing a painting of a rooster by Tony Scherman I started to meditate on what a rooster would be a reminder of for Peter in the 22nd chapter of the gospel according to Luke.
The Lord turned and looked at Peter And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” Luke 22:61 (NASB)
I’ve been told that meditating on God’s Word could be compared to a cow chewing the cud. After doing a little research on the digestive system of a cow it makes since. A cow’s digestive system is a lot more complex than a human digestive system. The cow’s stomach will go to much greater lengths to process what the cow eats so the food can benefit the cow to the greatest possible extent. Part of this process involves the cow bringing food back up into it’s mouth to chew it again. Taking biblical verses and going over them again and again can help me see new things. It helps me slow down and be still. To ask new questions and be open for life application of what I believe to be wisdom, truth and life from my Holy Father. For me, this piece, “Meditation”, could be considered a visual definition of the word “meditation”.
With closer examination of Song No. 2, the quote, “It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words” from Matthew 12:34 (The Message) is tattooed to the boy’s tongue. The tattoo represents the importance of what we carry around inside our hearts. In Bird Feeder (Song No. 3), a boy's suitcase full of birdseed provides for a multitude of birds. Birds are historically a symbol of souls in western art. When I see a flock of birds I'm always reminded of community. People thrive in community because needs are met through relationships that we can not find fulfillment for in and of ourselves. We can be a vessel for the provision of others. There's a promise in the Bible that I hold dear, "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NLT). As God has provided for us through Jesus Christ we become a vessel of that provision to our community because of Christ in us. He is our hope and every one has access to that hope when we love each other. We can all be a place where people can find hope, and a giving spirit.
Regarding the cloud drawings (Presence No. 1-3), I was reading the book of Numbers and stopped to think about what the manifest presence of God as a glowing cloud looked like to the Israelites. Then I realized a cloud is a great example of the invisible becoming visible. Vapor/gas concentrating into fine water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.
Inspired from a visit to a nursing home, I hope the portrait of an elderly woman sitting on the floor can be a reminder, for me at least, to give to others what I do have, my time, attention, care, my story, and the when given the opportunity the good news of Jesus Christ. Acts 3:5-7 (New International Version)
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.
Challenged to dig deeper into what the “law of life in Christ Jesus” was I created the self portrait, “In Christ”.
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 (HCSB)
After seeing a painting of a rooster by Tony Scherman I started to meditate on what a rooster would be a reminder of for Peter in the 22nd chapter of the gospel according to Luke.
The Lord turned and looked at Peter And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” Luke 22:61 (NASB)
I’ve been told that meditating on God’s Word could be compared to a cow chewing the cud. After doing a little research on the digestive system of a cow it makes since. A cow’s digestive system is a lot more complex than a human digestive system. The cow’s stomach will go to much greater lengths to process what the cow eats so the food can benefit the cow to the greatest possible extent. Part of this process involves the cow bringing food back up into it’s mouth to chew it again. Taking biblical verses and going over them again and again can help me see new things. It helps me slow down and be still. To ask new questions and be open for life application of what I believe to be wisdom, truth and life from my Holy Father. For me, this piece, “Meditation”, could be considered a visual definition of the word “meditation”.
