Betrothed

8"x10" Oil on Panel

Published work for

 "Rejoice! Advent Meditations with the Holy Family" 

by Ascension Press

Click Here to Purchase 

For the first week of Advent, I'm sharing a painting of Mary and Joseph's union blessing given by Mary's father. It is a touching scene of love and support. Additionally, it illustrates the power of God's blessing channeled through the love we show to each other.

 When working on this painting, I discovered an interesting thing about marriages in the ancient Jewish world. Marriages were generally a two-part event. First, the couple was betrothed and the union was legally recognized between the two families. For about a year afterward, on average, the couple lived separately with their families until the groom finished preparing a place for his bride—usually an addition to the family home. It would have most likely been during this time when Mary conceived the Christ child which set into motion unimaginable complications that would have ensued for both families. Not only is the endurance of Mary and Joseph's relationship a testament to their faith, it is also a testament to the faith, love and support they received from their families.

 

Based on that research, I discovered that when Christ tells his disciples that he is going to prepare a place for them, and that his father's house has many rooms, Jesus is using love language alluding to a bridegroom returning to claim his bride. Our relationship has already been sealed. Christ is lovingly preparing space for each of us in the infinite household of God to which one day He will return to us and take us home.

 

As we prepare for Christmas, may we remember and give thanks for those who have loved us through difficult times. May we joyfully avail ourselves to the nurture and support of our siblings in the family of God.

Union

 

8"x10" Oil on Panel

Published work for 

"Rejoice! Advent Meditations with the Holy Family"

with Ascension Press

Click Here to Purchase

Advent is here, and that means another installment of the Rejoice! Advent series from Ascension Press. This is the third year that I have had the pleasure of illustrating for the Rejoice! prayer journal and companion videos. Watch for future posts where I will share my interpretations of the Rejoice! images.

 

New this year are Advent prayer cards with my artwork on the front. Learn more the prayer journals, prayer cards, videos, art prints and live offerings available this season at Ascension Press.

Psalm 130

6"x6" Oil on Panel

Click Here to Purchase

Psalms are ancient songs and prayers to God. They express every kind of human emotion. From our deepest longings and tragic failures to our hope in God and exhuberant praise, psalms are bold prayers that continue to give us a voice today. 

This psalm abstract was created just a few days ago. It embodies emotions fueled by coronavirus, lockdowns, and civil unrest, and an uncertain future.

May we learn be more like the psalmists and practice emotionally honest dialogue with God. Even when we have trouble finding the words, we can look to the ancient voices from the psalms to speak on our behalf.

Psalm 130

Holy Mother & Child

Holy Mother & Child

8"x10" Oil on Panel

Click Here to Purchase

What was Mary like as a mother? What was Jesus like as a toddler? These are some questions that I love to explore with imagination and creativity. 

 I imagine Mary to be patient and understanding with Jesus. She had to raise a young child while attending the daily chores of a first century Jewish wife. I would imagine her to be inclusive, and allow her child to explore and discover the wonders of the World.

 I imagine a toddler Jesus to be inquisitive and full of joy. Like most toddlers, Jesus might have been very curious and playful. He might have wanted to participate in his mother's busy life.

 In honor of Mother's day, I have painted a scene illustrating what Mary and Jesus might have been like together in those days. 

 In this painting, Mary is tending to the daily chore of making bread for the family. As she shapes the dough into small loaves, she lovingly lets Jesus "help". In typical toddler fasion, Jesus plays with the dough. He pulls the dough appart and lifts it up to the light as if he is offering thanks and breaking bread. Perhaps he is mimicking their family traditions around the dinner table. 

 The water jar next to Mary alludes to Jesus' first miracle where He turns jars of water into wine—a unique and intimate story which gives us insight into their relationship.

 I hope you enjoy this little work of imaginative play. It is my way celebrating all mothers and expressing gratitude for their sacrifice, patience, and love.

 Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Easter

Digital Illustration

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead,and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Happy Easter!

Who You Say I Am

11"x14" Oil on Canvas

Click Here to Purchase

It's hard to believe that it has only been a decade since I made the first bog post of my art. Since then, I have grown so much as an artist and as a person. In the past decade, I have discovered plein-air and abstract painting, mastered the palette knife, seen my work published on the covers of CDs, magazines and books, and heard from fans and patrons all over the world. I can't wait to see what growth will happen over the next decade.

This paining is an abstract impression of a contemporary worship song of the same name by Hillsong Worship. It is an interpretation of the music and God's loving vision for our lives. 

You can hear the inspiring song by clicking here:
Who You Say I Am by Hillsong Worship

As we plan our goals for a new decade, may we rememberer who we are and who we are becoming. 

Have a blessed New Year!

Shine

Oil on Panel

For Rejoice! Advent Meditations with Joseph

by Ascension Press

Available for purchase here:

https://www.mikemoyersfineart.com/product-page/shine

Have you ever beamed with joy? Have you ever had a time when you were so filled with happiness that it felt as if you were full of an uncontainable energy that radiated from you?
I have had experiences like that as a parent when I look at my children and marvel at the miracle of who they are and who they are becoming. Even now as my children are entering adulthood, they make my heart swell with pride, joy and love. That feeling motivates me to be a better parent and a more loving person to my neighbors. 

I imagine Mary and Joseph may have had those moments of beaming joy as well. In this painting for Ascension Press, I imagined a moment where the Holy Family is just spending a moment together. Joseph holds Jesus and gazes into the his incarnate eyes. Mary reclines, relaxed and content, next to Joseph as she watches Joseph and Jesus bond. And Jesus reaches out to Joseph the way babies do—full of love, trust, and curiosity. The whole family is in a moment of beaming joy together—illustrated by the flood of light surrounding them.

Advent is over. The baby, Emmanuel, (which means "God with us") is here. Now is the time to bond with Him. Let us make time to get to know Him. Let us marvel at who Jesus was, is, and is becoming. May our time with Him swell our hearts with so much uncontainable joy and love that it radiates out to the world. May that love make us lights to the world with Him. May it make us shine.

Merry Christmas to you all.