The Wise Man and the Fool

"The Wise Man and the Fool" - 11 by 7.3 inches - Drawn in photoshop with a wacom tablet.

Proverbs is a book of wisdom and advice on how to live morally. Proverbs often talks of the path of a wise person vs the path of a foolish person. It seeks to persude us to seek the path of the wisdom.

This image came to mind while reading through proverbs. Wisdom is often spoken of as being precious like fine jewels, gold, and silver. Foolishness on the other hand is explained much differently. The word "fool"  comes from a Latin work "follis" which means bellows or bag. It's a bag of air. There is no substance to it. It's an "empty headed" person who lacks sense.

Here is a link to the verse in proverbs:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+2&version=NIV1984

© Keith Brabender 2017

Easter Sunday, Good Friday, and Palm Sunday

Three acrylic paintings approx 1ft x 3ft each, painted on canvases which are stretched on cedar.

(The gold border/background surrounding the three canvases is added digitally.)

Visualizing Easter

This image is meant to communicate the story of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. They are in order from left to right.

Palm Sunday
This image is taken from Luke19:28-44.
The silver drops coming down are the tears of Jesus as he wept over Jerusalem. The many background circular shapes with arms in the air are meant to be the crowd cheering Jesus’ entry. The square shapes are meant to represent Jesus and the donkey he rode, and the gold sparkling up into the air is to remind us of the gory of God which was with Jesus.

Jesus wept as the crowd cheered. This reminds us of how much we need to draw near to God is order for us to see what he sees. The disciples were often looking a different direction from Jesus, and we catch ourselves in that same way of thinking. Let’s continue to encourage one another, pursuing God together.

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.”

-Luke 19:41,42

Good Friday
This is to visually remind us of the suffering Jesus went through in order to rescue us from the penalty of our sin. The bottom section which is a small confined space surrounded by black darkness, pictures the separation from -God the Father- which Jesus endured because of his love for us.

“It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

 -Luke 23:44-46

Easter Sunday
“He has risen.” This is meant to convey a feeling of Jesus overcoming death, and taking his rightful place of glory at the right hand of God. The canvas is bright white and smooth unlike the other two. There is a small gold-colored ground plane and rising silver brush strokes. “He has risen indeed”.

“In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” -Luke 24:5,6a

.

© Keith Brabender 2017

Colossians

Composite of photographs combined with digital painting

Visualizing Colossians

This image communicates some of the major themes found in the book of Colossians. It’s my hope that months or even years from now church members can think back and remember this image, which will help us recall the things Cabot preached, and the Biblical truths that the Apostle Paul revealed to us.

Jesus Makes God Visible

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

-Colossians 1:15,16

The earth, sky, grass, and trees recall God’s creation. The strong tree is meant to be an analogy for this verse. The tree has a trunk which can be seen, but also has an elaborate root structure which cannot be seen. The roots symbolize God the father, hidden from our sight but at the same time very real. The top of the tree - trunk, leaves, branches - symbolizes Jesus who was seen by the eyes of many.

Growing in the Knowledge of God

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

-Colossians 2:6,7

The roots are also a reminder for us to remain connected to Christ so that we can be strong in our faith. We can do this through things like prayer, thankfulness, reading and meditating on Scripture, and being connected to fellow Christians, to name a few.

Deceptive Philosophy.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ”
-Colossians 2:8

The tree on the left without any root structure is beginning to tip. This is a picture of what can happen if we are not continuing to live our lives rooted in Christ. We leave ourselves open to be taken captive by things not Christian, by worldly philosophies.

© Keith Brabender 2017

Star of Advent

This canvas was designed and painted for Advent by the Christians of LifeSpring Community Church

It's approx 7ft tall by 4ft wide acrylic on canvas.

Reflection

Following are some things to reflect on.

The main idea of the whole piece is “anticipation”. Each section within the painting represents anticipation in one way or another. From anticipating the dolphins leaving the water to the snowflake ushering in a brand new season. This idea of anticipation is meant to prepare us for our celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

-Isaiah 9:6

This verse from Isaiah was written centuries before Christ’s birth. Imagine the anticipation. Upon further reflection the concepts present reveal themselves layer by layer.

Freedom and boundaries which is illustrated in Psalm 119:17-20:     

“Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times”

God's control over all the small details in order to unite all of history together into one grand and beautiful story, which is described in Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Beyond Decorative
Much of the artwork we display/create at LifeSpring is purposeful. It’s meant to draw our community together and into worship. Just as the sermon reveals new truths, the artwork seeks to do the same.

Thank you to all who participated in the creation of this wonderful artwork and I hope this is only one of many more yet to come.

Job - Where Were You?

"Where Were You?" 14 x 11 inches (includes frame) mixed media on mat-board

This is the first in a series of works based on the idea of the separation/connection between things. The concept that there is a place where one ends, and the next, or lack of the next begins. The place where one word becomes another or overlaps slightly. Where does a tree end and the sky begin? Where does one definition begin and end? What fits into the circle of the definition perfectly and completely and what fits only slightly, blurrily, vaguely, it lives on the fringe of where the circle ends (if it ends at all). Did God create persons/places/things as a definition to teach us and to show us Himself, or are they here primarily as an outflowing of his creativity, or are both correct?

This series exists more to ask questions and open up the imagination, than to be an answer or explanation.

This specific piece is titled "Where Were You?"

It's based on Job 38:4-11 (ESV).
⁴ “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
⁵ Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
⁶ On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
⁷ when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

⁸ “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
⁹ when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
¹⁰ and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
¹¹ and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’? 

© Keith Brabender 2017

Truth

"Truth" Linocut Print 3 inches by 4 inches.

Linocut prints are created by carving out the negative space around the subject. It's carved out of linoleum with a carving tool. The entire design is created as a mirror image of the desired print. Once carved the lino-print is inked with a roller and pressed onto paper.

This linocut print is one of seven prints I created as illustrations to a series on the marks of a disciple. This series showcases some character traits that a Christ follower should have, and/or should be working towards.

This particular work of art is titled "Truth". It's an image of a construction worker measuring out a "true" (straight) line. The idea of having an instrument like a ruler that sets the standard for every line and measurement used on a project is important. This is a reminder of the solid foundation of truth that anchors all which exists.

© Keith Brabender 2017

Worship

"Worship" Linocut Print 3 inches by 4 inches.

Linocut prints are created by carving out the negative space around the subject. It's carved out of linoleum with a carving tool. The entire design is created as a mirror image of the desired print. Once carved the lino-print is inked with a roller and pressed onto paper.

This linocut print is one of seven prints created as illustrations to a series on the marks of a disciple. This series showcases some character traits that a Christ follower should have, and/or should be working towards.

This particular work of art is titled "Worship" and it shows a man standing before creation and giving his attention to the creator and designer of all things.

© Keith Brabender 2017