Joy
Canvas: 24” x 36”
Time: Approx. 4 hours
Cost: $3,500
Artist Statement
But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!” Luke 2:10 (TPT)
Heidi, Pastor Doug’s wife, delivered a message about the deepest emotion we can feel—JOY! Heidi’s greatest joys have been the births of her children, which was later followed by her deepest hurt, the breakup of her marriage and the damage it caused her children. Heidi, then rejoiced while showing a slide of her baby grandson’s huge smile and the immense joy and healing brought by his birth. Likewise, during a dark time in history, Jesus entered the world and his family was quickly forced into exile in a foreign land—becoming refugees—as thousands of children were slaughtered by King Herod. Heidi told the story of giving transportation to a Guatemalan woman and her child upon their arrival in America and their deep joy and thankfulness to God. Heidi talked about our tendency to get caught up in busy-ness, losing sight of the simple joy promised by Jesus: rescue to each and every person who ever lived. Then she urged us to fight for refugees as Jesus does.
Image: At breakfast that Sunday morning, I asked my 14-year-old daughter, Isabella for ideas for the painting. She said, “Just paint the moment that brought you the most joy.” I remembered the moments when she and my other kids were born! As I was starting to paint, however, it dawned on me that painting myself holding my newborn daughter might seem out of place at Christmas time. So, quickly I switched to a classic Madonna and Child motif. I painted a dark impending sky to symbolize oppression on Earth and the war being waged in the heavenlies. Mary and Jesus are illuminated in a glowing light and surrounded by golden hay. (As for the red hair, well, I just thought it looked cool.) After I finished the painting, Isabella told me she had, in fact, envisioned someone holding a newborn baby when she made the suggestion!