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

Ruth - Wheat Harvest

Watercolor on bristol board 9"x12"

This watercolor was created as a background graphic, but it stands on it's own with a simple elegance. The subject matter is wheat. It comes from the book of Ruth chapter 2 verses 19-23:

"And her mother-in-law said to her, “Where did you glean today? And where have you worked? Blessed be the man who took notice of you.” So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked and said, “The man's name with whom I worked today is Boaz.” ²⁰ And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” ²¹ And Ruth the Moabite said, “Besides, he said to me, ‘You shall keep close by my young men until they have finished all my harvest.’” ²² And Naomi said to Ruth, her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his young women, lest in another field you be assaulted.” ²³ So she kept close to the young women of Boaz, gleaning until the end of the barley and wheat harvests. And she lived with her mother-in-law." (ESV)

Ruth and her family were well provided for, because she and Naomi were faithful and followed God's direction for their lives, which landed them in the field of Boaz. Boaz was overly kind to them and instructed the gatherers of his field to leave extra barley and wheat behind for Ruth to glean. (I would encourage anyone to read the whole book of Ruth. It's a short book and layer by layer it reveals many truths about God. You can find it here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1&version=ESV )

The themes of wheat, barley, and harvest can be found throughout the Bible. They speak of God's justice, his sovereignty, his great design of creation, the marking off of the seasons. This theme of the harvest and of the seasons is a thread that connects from Genesis, through the time of Jesus on earth, and continues onward until the end of days.

Another connection with the harvest that I find fascinating is that the ripening of the barley is what kept the Hebrew calendar on track, and stopped it from drifting through the seasons. Telling the people whether or not an extra month would need to be added. This resulted in a year that usually lasted 12 months and sometimes lasted 13 months. 

God often uses the things (wheat, barley, harvest, seasons) of his creation as visuals/metaphors to reveal Himself to us. 

© Keith Brabender 2017