See you over there...

I have been horrible about posting here, as well as on my other two art related blogs, so I'm consolidating and starting a new blog on my website, which was not possible when I started all this. For my most recent blog post go here. See you there... jm

Star in the East

And finally, this is Star in the East, part of the 8x8 Show at the Museum of Biblical Art last evening! Being so far away, I really have no idea how it went, so I'll just have to wait to hear... I was so honored to be able to participate in this event, which is only by invitation. It confirms that my calling in art is truly a gift from God and that I should continue to put an emphasis on him and his word in my work - maybe even emphasize it more, which can be a frightening thing in the open market where I show and sell my art. I would appreciate your prayers and support in this...

This piece is once again a depiction of a piece of the story of Christ's birth in Luke 2 and Matthew 2. Specifically Matthew 2:1-2, "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'"

The photo that I chose had a natural spot where light was shining through the branches and it made the perfect location for the star, in fact, this is where the concept of the star came from for all four pieces. There is a map of Bethlehem, where the star would lead the wise men to find Christ, and a cow that marks his birth in a stable. While it is easy for the story to get old in the retelling, it is still an amazing thing that the king of glory would come to earth in such a humble manner, first into the lives of such young and inexperienced parents, so completely humble. Like the wise men, we have to be looking for his signs to find him, then seek him out. When we do, we are warmly welcomed, whether we are rich and kingly or the lowest in our society as were the shepherds. It's most often a quiet thing, but the most important thing we could ever do...

In the Field

I forgot to post this yesterday, so I guess I'll just post both remaining Christmas works today...

Titled "In the Field" this piece refers again to the shepherds who were watching their flocks just outside Bethlehem when angels appeared to them and told them about the Christ child. You can see the sheep in the foreground along with another map of Bethlehem. The barn in the photo recalls the stable the Messiah was born in and the little seedling represents a new life. (Christ is also referred to as the sprout out of Jesse's family in Isaiah.) A few words of the scripture from Luke is in the upper left corner and the star is once again present. This was actually a close runner up in my decision making process for which piece to put in the show.

In the City of David

The second Christmas work I'm sharing is titled "In the City of David" from the passage in Luke 2:10-14 spoken to the shepherds in the field...

 "And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Again, you'll find a map of Bethlehem, sheep, nearly hidden scripture and the star that shown over where the Christ child was born. And once more there is a photo of palm trees, which refer not only to the Holy Lands, but are my personal symbol for heaven. Appropriate, since the birth of the Messiah is what ultimately opens the gates of heaven for us all.

Go to Bethlehem

Just in time for Christmas...

 A little more than a month ago I was invited to a special museum show, asking for a Christmas themed work (and to keep the whole thing hush-hush.) I felt incredibly honored even on the crazy short deadline I was given and I said yes right away. But I didn't have time for pressure and over thinking to screw up my creative process, so I decided to make not one piece, but four, and then to choose the one I liked best to submit. Since there was no pressure for any single work, I was able to work out my chosen theme in four different ways and in the end I was quite happy with all four. So I'll present them here in the next few days and by the time I show you the final one, I'll be able to say where it went as well.

All four works were based on the familiar story about the birth of Christ from Luke 2 and Matthew 2. This work is called "Go to Bethlehem" as that is where Joseph and Mary had to go and so followed the shepherds and the wise men...You can see in this piece a map of Bethlehem, a sketch of animals that could have been in a stable, scripture from the Bible story and the photo of palms to help you envision the town of Bethlehem.

Sharing art & faith for Christmas

Not sure exactly where the time flies to...

Just created three different designs for Christmas cards based on artworks I just finished:

First Born Son Christmas Card by judithmonroe
More Christmas Cards

Good News Christmas Card by judithmonroe
Shop for a different greeting card template online at zazzle

Glory to God Christmas Card by judithmonroe
Browse other Bethlehem Cards

Walk of Faith

In my Wanderings blog today, I compare my walk with the dogs with my walk of faith...

river of life

I've been working on a new series of assemblage artworks that explore the concept of home - for me, I can't really think about home without thinking of my final home, Heaven. I have these works on display in my studio at the Kennedy Gallery, and sometimes the discussion gets to all that a piece means, but often not, so I wanted to share these works in detail here.

This piece is titled "River of Life" which can have multiple meanings. I live and am from the Sacramento area and we live at the confluence of two major rivers. Indeed, rivers were the reason the town was built here and still are the genesis of our drinking water, the irrigation for the agriculture here and a popular recreation location. My home town wouldn't be what it is without it's rivers.

But of course, the River of Life is also present in heaven, and Christ is referred to as living water - my true home is the reality that my earthly home faintly copies and what is even better, is that heaven will come down to earth and the earth/home God has given us to love & care for will be restored to perfection. I can't begin to accurately express all that in a piece of artwork, but that's the direction I'm heading.

and a challenge...

The closing video challenge for the creative arts worship weekend at Bridgeway.

Purpose - Closing Challenge 10/30 from Bridgeway Christian

art as worship

This was created for a special weekend of creative arts in worship for Bridgeway Church in Rocklin, where I now attend. I'm so blessed to be a part of this!

Art As Worship from Bridgeway Christian on Vimeo.

exhibit at gallery w

I've got a show up at Gallery W at Warehouse Ministries in Sacramento this month called "With Eager Hope." Here's a look at the title piece as well as my artist's statement. We'll be having a reception Thursday, October 27th at 7 p.m. where I'll give a little talk as well.

My artwork grew from the desire to walk with God in the garden, like Adam and Eve did, searching for that closeness wherever green things grow. Years ago, I thought I was looking for the lost garden and my heart ached to think it was gone forever; then while studying Scripture, I realized that I was actually looking forward to the time when God will bring heaven down to earth again, restoring Paradise and our relationship to Him. I’ve tried to envision what that would possibly look like, what a perfect earth would be like, but I know my imagination is woefully short.

Whether an artwork has Scripture in it or not, this is the basis of all of my work: looking for the tiny glimpse of what heaven on earth will look like, what it will feel like. I am constantly inspired by the beauty that God has created and encouraged by my faith in Him to look forward to the time when the full beauty of that creation will be revealed.

“But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. .. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children...” Romans 8:20,23

door to the spirit

Kathleen Ellertson is a Covenant Artist friend who shared a piece of work with me, so I'm sharing with you...

Here's what she had to say about it:

"I wanted to share a painting I did which hangs in my Aunt Ethel’s convent room in Dubuque called the Door to the Spirit. This painting was inspired by a picture I saw in an article by Joyce Rupp, a self described “spiritual midwife”. The doorway spoke to me of the various doors we must walk thru, and how we must be transformed, pursuing our union with God. The individual’s return path to Him is as unique as this view."

Thanks for sharing, Kathleen!

art of christmas: judith monroe

Prophecy of Hope
Mixed media on wood panel, 48” x 48”

Isaiah 11:1— Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.

This piece illustrates one of the prophecies about the birth of the Messiah. Over several chapters of Isaiah, the nation of Israel and people in general are referred to as trees or a forest. Isaiah talks about God’s anger at Israel’s disobedience and his coming judgment as a wild fire that would destroy the forest of Israel, and of allowing the king of Babylon to chop down Israel like trees before he would be a mighty tree felled himself. It was in this context that the hope of a new shoot that would grow from the stump of what was left of David’s family tree was given.

As I was working on this piece, it came to me that I should make a small section to the left primarily green and then separate the section off with a red stripe, and another red stripe across the top to balance the composition. This would be a new kind of element that added to my work and I literally asked myself, “Why would I do that?” As I pondered and stared, I realized that I would be creating a cross, red like the blood sacrificed by Christ there; and on the other side of the cross there was new life, represented by the green field. This was not my idea, but truly inspired by the Holy Spirit and I was thrilled and humbled by the experience.

Judith Monroe
www.judithmonroe.com

art of christmas: terry ray flowers

Before the Foundations
Assemblage

Rev 13:8— …everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of like of the Lamb who has been slain.

Both Before the Foundations and Father’s Heart have to do with the revelation the Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection were not an afterthought brought about by man’s fall but a strategic plan put in place before the foundations of the world.

Terry Ray Flowers
www.boxartgospel.com

Seed of David
Assemblage

2 Samuel 7:12-16— …I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom…

Romans 1:3-4— …concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David…

This piece refers to the fact that Jesus was a direct descendent of David as prophesied in 2 Samuel, the Davidic Covenant, and confirmed in Romans.

Terry Ray Flowers
www.boxartgospel.com

Father’s Heart
Collage 5” x 7”

2 Tim 1:9— …who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.

Terry Ray Flowers
www.boxartgospel.com

art of christmas: teresa harbert and julie bjorgum

Poured Out
Turkey egg pysanky

Isaiah 53:7-12— …He poured out Himself to death and was numbered with the transgressors, yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors.

While reading through Scriptures related to Christ’s coming and His birth, this image of Christ pouring Himself out for us struck me.

Along with the more traditional star and stable symbols I included a red egg representing His shed blood to complete the real Christmas story.

Teresa Mihalko Harbert
www.eggsbyteresa.com



A Debt I Can’t Repay
Shredded credit cards 12” x 14”

Romans 5:8— …But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

A nest is like the foundations we build, the place where we put that which is most important to us…LOVE.

Can love be bought with money? On credit? Why would someone give us money when we haven’t yet earned it? Yet wasn’t Jesus given to us when we weren’t worthy? When we had nothing of value to offer in return?

Christ was the treasure that lay in a manger. And He was given to us when we couldn’t pay the price for our sins. Christmas isn’t about worshiping the straw. Its about what was IN the straw. The gift of Love.

Julie Bjorgum
www.aplaceinmyart.com

art of christmas: stephen scott

Inshallah/Deo Volente
Mixed media 12” x 12”

Luke 1:26-38 — …I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

I buy frames and display boxes in thrift stores. For this piece I mostly used images from the photos I took while travelling in India and different parts of South East Asia. In both instances, the frame and the images are `redeemed, recycled and repurposed.’
I would like to think that this kind of renewal carries a faint, imperfect echo of the possibility that God offers any of us through the coming of His Son.

According to the earlier verses (26 on) Mary was initially troubled by the angel’s visit, and uncertain of the meaning of what was being said to her. As the implication of the angel’s words began to dawn on her she asked questions. And then she placed herself at God’s disposal. `Inshallah’ is how they say `If it is God’s will’ in a Middle Eastern context. This was Mary’s attitude when the angel told her the impossibly good news.

Stephen Scott
www.cana-arts.blogspot.com

art of christmas: ronna scott

 The Gift
Oil 11” x 14”

Isaiah 7:6— For to us a child is born to us a son is given.

Rev 22:17— The Sprit of the Bride says “come!”….let us take the free gift…

The chaos of the darkness represents a life lived without a relationship with The Heavenly Father. Life can be so difficult and yet accepting The Gift is so simple. In Revelations it simply asks us to come and take the gift.

While The Gift is simple to accept, my walk with Christ has taken many twists and turns, always with the request to look deeper.

Ronna Scott

art of christmas: raulin olivera

Angel's Announcement 1
Graphite 18” x 24”

Luke 2:8-14— Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God...

Prior to joining the Covenant Artist's group I had seen some photos by Norbert Rosing on the Internet of polar bears and sled dogs interacting in a very peaceful and playful manner. They were awe inspiring and sparked in my imagination images of what Creation may have been like before the fall of man. After joining the Covenant Artist's group and entering into discussion, prayer and Bible reading with the “Art of Christmas” and the birth of Jesus in mind I was inspired by Luke 2:8–14.

The angel announces Jesus' birth to the shepherds. I imagine that the first angel to appear was Gabriel because he is consistently the messenger angel and the heavenly host was a large number of other angels. Angels are most often scary to humans and since I enjoy drawing animals and birds, I decided to depict angels as polar bears (also scary to humans). Border collies are a shepherding dog so I chose to use them to depict the shepherds in the story. Gabriel is not shown but is in the position of the viewer as he speaks to them.

Raulin Olivera



Angel's Announcement 2
Graphite 18” x 24”

Luke 2:8-14— …Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

The scene and the background for this drawing are the same as "Angel's Announcement 1."

This is my expression of the angel telling the shepherds about Jesus' birth but with a different twist from the first. Gabriel is in the drawing and is represented by the large eyes overlooking the scene. Polar bears are angels of the heavenly host and the border collies are shepherds.

Raulin Olivera

art of christmas: randy blasquez

The Light of His Birth
Oil on Linen 40” x 40”

Isaiah 9:2— The people who walk in darkness will see a great light: Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them.

For my piece for the show, I felt drawn to the idea of the Light of Christ. Originally I was envisioning a large abstract piece with a scripture written within the piece. Something with clouds showing the light of the Messiah.

I was feeling that connection to His Light at the beginning, while he was in the womb through to His Birth. Then somehow the two ideas came together when I read this verse and I painted this ocean scene.

Randy Blasquez
www.randyblasquez.com

art of christmas: katie murphy

His Purpose
Mixed media on canvas 36” x 12”

John 12:27-28 — Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

The purpose of Jesus’ birth was His death for us. In this verse, Jesus is absolutely unwavering in his willingness to fulfill this purpose set before Him. He has complete confidence in God and what He is about to endure for us.

To emphasize His confidence, I partially covered up the beginning of the verse with images and symbols of His earthly journey. No matter how troubling His circumstances, He lets God lead His life every step of the way, and glorifies Him in the midst of it all.

I thought it only fitting to also include Jesus’ command iin John 15:12. “My command is this, love each other as I have loved you.” Jesus loved with utter confidence and sacrifice, patience, kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He loved those whom we might categorize as “unlovable.” Are we not all children of God? It may be troubling to our hearts at times to love this way, but it is what he asks of us. Jesus humbled Himself, came to earth, and fulfilled His purpose for us…are we willing, with humility and God’s consistent help, in spite of troubled hearts at times, to fulfill ours for Him?

Katie Murphy
www.justwonderingthrough.com