“And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” – Matthew 27:51, NASB
In this series, I wanted to explore and celebrate the tearing of the veil. In the Old Testament, everything was rule-based and restrictive. The torn veil in the temple symbolizes the removal of the most important restriction, that which separated humans from the Holy of Holies. Christ’s death immediately opened the door to Heaven, making a way for all people to be in the presence of God.
My painting is not methodical; it is more explorative. I follow interests and ideas as they come to me. It is a fluid process, naturally occurring, without regard for a timeline. We live in a world of demanding schedules. This is the only part of my life that is not rigid. This is one of the reasons I paint fabric, because it too, is not rigid, but relaxed. Fabric is flexible and merciful. It evokes feelings of comfort, warmth and security.
While the fabrics used in both the tabernacle and the temple are well-documented in the Bible, I took artistic license to paint a variety of fabrics to represent and relate to the varied backgrounds and cultures of all people. The series is a biblical history represented in a contemporary way that includes three different compositions, three representations of the same theme. The first contains ten paintings, each one a representation of the initial tearing with pure white light in the background depicting God’s divine intervention. The second composition is a singular large piece that imagines God’s personal presence in the miraculous tearing of the veil. The third composition contains three works which emphasize the completed tear, the billowing bottoms of blue, purple and crimson, and the choice each of us has to walk through from our darkness into His light.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:19-22, NASB
X26.I, 2022, oil on panel, 24 x 24 in.
X26.II, 2022, oil on panel, 24 x 24 in.
X26.III, 2022, oil on panel, 24 x 24 in.
a harvest of righteousness, 2022, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
a river in my veins, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in
the weariness of my breath, 2022, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
a signal fire of grace, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
before i bring my need, i will bring my heart, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
and the earth shook, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
evolving in pursuit of what You said, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
it's a part of the plan, there's a light up ahead, 2022, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in
waiting on a word only You can speak, 2021, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
the sacrifice of passionately waiting, 2022, oil on canvas, 8 x 10 in.
You tore the veil so my eyes could see, 2022, oil on panel, 48 x 24 in.