Advent Unborn

Jesus Hears Mary's Song

Digital Illustration For

Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary

Companion Video

By Ascension Press

Advent is a time of waiting. But we don't wait for just abstract ideas, hopes and dreams. We wait for a person, Jesus. We wait for "God with Us," the Word made Flesh who will laugh with us, cry with us, hold our hands, guide us, and ultimately, save us.

This is a follow-up image from yesterday where Mary sings to Jesus. This image shows Jesus hearing Mary's song. I am so thankful that Ascension Press asked for this image to be rendered. It was a real challenge and I have never really seen anyone attempt to portray the Christ Child BEFORE his birth. Most importantly, working on this picture reminded me of the humanity of Jesus and his total dependency on his family. 

God humbled and poured out in such a way is hard to imagine. I hope this uncommon portrait of Jesus helps you to ponder in that mystery in your own heart—if even for just a little while.

Advent Song

Mary Sings to Jesus

Digital Illustration For

Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Mary 

By Ascension Press

The holiday season is a rich time of singing. Through Advent, I relish the ancient hymns of promise and enjoy the singing of carrols. Even the radio offers channels overflowing with holiday classics new and old to get us all in the Christmas Spirit.

What kinds of songs would expectant Mary have sung to Jesus? Perhaps some of the ancient psalms and songs from scripture. Perhaps inspired original compositions like the Magnificat. I find it helpful to think of Mary singing as I sing the songs of the season. Imagining Mary helps me remember that I am singing to a person, Emmanuel, "God with Us."

During this season, we all sing of hope not yet fully realized and promises not yet fulfilled. But we also sing to Jesus—the Messiah who was and is and is yet to come. Let us raise our voices to Him in hope and joy.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

12"x12"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
For Unto Us  A Child Is Born

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government
Shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful,
Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6)

The People That Walked In Darkness Have seen A Great Light

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
The People That Walked In Darkness Have seen A Great Light

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, and they that
Dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
(Isaiah 9:2)

O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion

O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain:
O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up thy voice with strength;
lift it up, be not afraid;
say unto the cities of Judah,
Behold you God!
Arise, shine, for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

And He Shall Purify

8"x10"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

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An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
And He Shall Purify

And He shall purify the sons of Levi, 
That they may offer unto the Lord an
Offering in righteousness.
(Malachi 3:3)

But Who May Abide

5"x7"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
But Who May Abide

But who may abide the day of His coming, 
and who shall stand when He appeareth? 
For He is like a refiner's fire. 
(Malachi 3:2)

I Will Shake All Nations

5"x7"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
Thus Saith The Lord

Thus saith the Lord of Hosts:
-Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land;
And I will shake all nations;
And the desire of all nations shall come.
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple,
Even the messenger of the covenant,
Whom ye delight in:
Behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

5"x7"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
Every Valley Shall Be Exalted

Every valley shall be exalted,
And every mountain and hill made low,
The crooked straight and the rough places plain. 
(Isaiah 40:4)

Comfort Ye, My People

6"x6"
Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

An Abstract Expression from Handel's Messiah
Comfort Ye, My People

Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God. 
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, 
That her warfare is accomplished, 
That her Iniquity is pardoned. 
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness
Prepare ye the way of the Lord. 
Make straight in the desert a highway 
For our God. 
(Isaiah 40:1-3)

Espressivo

28" x 22"

Oil on Canvas with Palette Knife

Commissioned

Time is long overdue to share some commissions I've been working on. 

This one was commissioned as an anniversary gift to the director of the Franklin High School Band, David Aydelott. It was based on a brilliant photo by Tom White capturing band members in one of their dramatic movements. The task was to blend the pose with the abstract music colors I have done recently. The result is a striking piece illustrating the band's striving for excellence. 

The painting is entitled "Expressivo," which means to perform expressively with emotion.

It was unveiled a few weeks ago at the ban's end-of-the-year banquet. I can think of no better way to express gratitude for Mr. A's artistry to inspire and shape character and talent than a gift of art itself. 

Today, the Franklin Band begins practice for this fall's performances. Go Franklin!

Flute

3"x9"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

Here’s a little flute to celebrate 
my upcoming show at 
the Franklin Art Scene, 
at Shuffs Music  
on Friday, May 5.

Pie Jesu

20"x24"x1.5"
Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

Click Here To Purchase

Our choir has the privilege to sing John Rutter's Requiem this spring. One of my favorite pieces in this work is Pie Jesu. The full text in english is:

Blessed Jesus, 
Lord I pray,
in Thy mercy,
Grant them rest.
Grant them rest eternal.
Lord our God,
I pray Thee,
Lord our God, 
We pray Thee,
Grant them everlasting rest.

It is a beautiful song with haunting undertones overcome by ascending grace. The song makes a most beautiful prayer. To paint it, I wanted to capture the mixture of deep longing, communal faith and brilliant hope. The painting is also a theological mix of interaction between a community of faith and God. The highest and most beautiful parts of the soprano solo are represented with the bright yellow streak ascending upward. It makes for a nice blending of both personal and corporate prayer. 

Although a requiem is mainly intended for loved ones who have passed on, the song and the painting are an expression for all prayers—especially prayers for intercession and peace.

Clarinet

4"x12" Oil on Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

This is my ode to the clarinet. I grew up playing clarinet in school band. I fell in love with its smooth, mellow, froggy tone. I loved the sleek, classy, black and silver look. The clarinet is such a versatile instrument. It can play whimsically and delicately. Its range is incredible and can even slide from not to note. What's not to love?

All of my kids are brass players. But my heart will always belong to this beautiful woodwind.

The Franklin Band: Trumpet

5"x7" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

My son is a marching trumpet in The Franklin Band. They have recently won the Governor's Cup and state championship for the sixth time and are moving on to Super Regional and Grand National competitions where they have been semi finalists four times. Here is a little portrait to honor the hard working kids of The Franklin Band. 

Sforzando

6"x6" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here to Purchase

BAM! Here is the next post in my music abstract series. 
Sforzando means "with sudden emphasis." 
Hope this adds a little excitement to your day.


The series will be on display and for sale during 
The Frankin Art Scene 
at Shuffs Music, 118 Third Avenue North, Franklin, TN
on September 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Blues

6"x12" Oil Diptych
on Deep-Edged Panel

with Palette Knife

SOLD

Now this was a lot of fun to paint! Listening to the blues and painting expressive abstracts was very liberating for me.  This was a time when I just let loose and grooved with the canvas. 
So—Much—Fun! 

More music related abstracts to come. Stay tuned.

The series will be on display and for sale during 
The Frankin Art Scene 
at Shuffs Music, 118 Third Avenue North, Franklin, TN
on September 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Crescendo

12"x16" Oil on Deep-Edged Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

The next post in my music series is "Crescendo." Things are definitely building up to this Friday's show at Shuffs Music. If you're in town this weekend, please come by and see the show. I'd love to see you there.

There are more music inspired abstract compositions to come. Stay tuned.

The series will be on display and for sale during 
The Frankin Art Scene 
at Shuffs Music, 118 Third Avenue North, Franklin, TN
on September 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Jazz Trio

12"x16" Oil on Deep-Edged Canvas

with Palette Knife

SOLD

"Jazz Trio" is the next post in my music series. A jazz trio is a group of three jazz musicians, often a piano trio comprising a pianist, a double bass player and a drummer. It amazes me how such a small group can generate such a rich and complex sound. There is so much texture and interweaving of music. I tried to convey those textures in the painting. Some are soft, others are more defined. The oranges and reds represent the bass. The blacks and whites represent the piano. The white also doubles with the yellow for the drums. All of the other colors represent the magic of jazz.

There are more music inspired abstract compositions to come. Stay tuned.

The series will be on display and for sale during 
The Frankin Art Scene 
at Shuffs Music, 118 Third Avenue North, Franklin, TN
on September 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Adagio

5"x7" Oil on Panel

with Palette Knife

Click Here to Purchase

The forth post on a series of abstracts based on music is called "Adagio."  It means "slow and leisurely." For this one, I listened to Beethoven's Adagio Cantabile (from Sonata Panthétique No 8, op 13)

There are more music inspired abstract compositions to come. Stay tuned.

The series will be on display and for sale during 
The Frankin Art Scene 
at Shuffs Music, 118 Third Avenue North, Franklin, TN
on September 2 from 6 to 9 p.m.