24” x 24”
Acrylic mixed media on canvas
Isaiah 30:15
I promised my son this painting over a year ago. He was 23 years old about to be 24 when I finished it. I worked 3 full days trying to send it off to Colorado with my parents in time for his birthday. Sorry it took me so long to get this lion done Logan!
Logan’s face, the sun, was in an exhibition I did fall of 2018 for Lutheran Church of Hope.
The sun is my son, the moon is my mother and the star is my niece. Their faces represent each light God created. We are all meant to reflect God’s light and be the light of the world! I wanted to include my family in the exhibit to represent the living generations carrying out God’s will. Plus it was a blast doing the plaster masks together! Make time for people you do life with…Relationships are everything!
My niece wanted to keep her plaster face to hang in her room. I told my mom and Logan I would love to turn their pieces into something they wanted as a thank you. My mom wanted a butterfly.
Logan asked for a lion. So I reused the canvases after I removed their plaster faces. I saved their faces…not sure what I’ll do with them but I saved them.
New Year’s Eve, the last day of 2019 I got started on Logan’s lion and finished a couple days into 2020. This painting ties the years together. I used some heavy duty Schluter glue to attach it to the canvas.
Once I finished the piece I drove it to the exit off hwy 80 to hand off to my parents who were driving out to Colorado so they could deliver it by his birthday. On the way to meet them the sun started shinning through some clouds and the shadow of the cross was alive, dancing on the painting. It was such a cool moment, God blessed it right before I sent it off.
I know this painting was long overdue and was much anticipated. I prayed deeply for my son as I created this. I prayed for a path of clarity and peace. I prayed he would understand that we were created in the image of our creator. Anything is possible with Christ. I spent way too many years chasing the wrong things I thought would make me happy. But it’s not about finding happiness. It’s not about me or him or you or anyone. It’s about God and His will. It’s about allowing God to work through you.
When you truly open your heart and let go of self, a deep sense of joy literally starts to flow. The kind of joy that remains no matter what life throws at you. An untouchable joy. Knowing that death is conquered and we are loved unconditionally creates a peace within that passes all understanding. We all have a silent strength instilled within us you just have to be silent and listen. I prayed for him to always remain humble, kind and teachable. In order to grow you have to be teachable. Pray for God to use you and ask how you can serve others. Instead of asking God “why” when things happen, ask God “what” are you trying to teach me.
Fine art paper print. This is a signed, open edition reproduction from an original art work from a high resolution scan. All copyrights and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.
“The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy. You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers. Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.”
1 Timothy 4:1-16 MSG
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