This series has been inspired by ‘Kingdom Arts’, a group that meet up once a month at Saint George’s Church, Barbourne. We explore faith through creativity using painting., clay, printing, craft, creative writing, textiles, collage and music. It is open to everyone. There is no pressure to create a ‘masterpiece’ but it is amazing to see the creations forming, all different, meaningful works of art in themselves. I enjoy the opportunity to reflect on texts from the bible, responding to them and sharing them with others. Art can make it easier for us to express experiences that can be too difficult to put into words but it also allows us to share those positive experiences. For others it maybe writing or music that is a prefered way of expression. Whatever we choose, we can learn so much from one another. This participation and engagement in creativity can have such a positive effect on our health and well being. My artwork here focuses on the positive themes of love, hope, peace and faith.
Doves appear many times in the bible, they were acceptable burnt offerings for those who could not afford a more expensive animal. A dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit, in reference to Matthew 3:16 and Luke 3:22 where the Holy Spirit is compared to a dove at the Baptism of Jesus. The use of a dove and olive branch as a symbol of peace originated with the early Christians, portraying the act of baptism. By the fifth century, Augustine of Hippo wrote in On Christian Doctrine that “perpetual peace is indicated by the olive branch which the dove brought with it when it returned to the ark”. In this piece the doves are looking to us almost as a ‘ministerial group’. I wanted to capture their graceful behaviour and that at any moment they could take flight at will.
There is a strong early tradition that the family and immediate followers of Jesus, as well as Paul the Apostle, had visionary and mystical experiences of Jesus after his death. Later, when the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John were being written, the emphasis had shifted to the physical nature of the resurrection, while still overlapping with the earlier concept of a divine exaltation of Jesus’ soul. I wanted to capture Christ who has returned in glory. His skin glows. He is looking straight at us. His eyes are green, the sacred liturgical colour of new life.
Sold to private collection
The Greek word IXOYE (ichthys) meaning ‘fish’, is an acrostic for ‘Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”. In Christianity, the fish is a symbol of abundance and faith as in the story of fishes and loaves.. There are also references as Christ and his disciples being ‘fishers of men’. In this piece the ‘fishers of men’ spread their good news as a net of grace, to give us the opportunity to respond to the love of God. It can allow us to feel more connected to one another
In paintings, angels usually take the shape of human beings of extraordinary beauty, often identified using the symbols of bird wings, halos and light. Often they are depicted as intermediaries between God or Heaven and Humanity. Their roles include protecting and guiding human beings, and carrying out God’s tasks. The word angel in English is a blend of Old English and Old French angele. Both derive frome Late Latin angelus ‘messenger’. Whilst looking ethereal, I wanted angel with a harp to be a welcoming figure, guiding and protecting with soft, soothing harp music.
The Gospel of Luke begins its account of Mary’s life with the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced her divine selection to be the mother of Jesus. There are many representations of Mary with the infant Jesus, some are flanked or surrounded by angels and saints. It is a very powerful image. Here I have focused on a Mother’s tender love for her newborn baby. Mary, the strong figure who fulfills her role as ‘Mother of God’ (‘God-bearer’).