The Rest of the Story

All of my paintings are visual manifestations of my inner emotional struggles.

I found myself yearning to be wrapped in the physical arms of a loving Heavenly Father. Yes, I can pray to God and spiritually hear His answers. But I wanted (and still want) more.

I tend to think and visualize metaphorically. So as I struggled with this yearning several images came and went. All of the imagery included a physical, tangible distance between a central figure and a King.

As I began to finish Exhonoration I started considering my next painting. There were several that I had intended to paint next, but this one was so clear in my mind, and so pressing in my heart, that I knew it needed to be born.

Now I was impelled to really formalize an image. I began to research the archetypal father and child. In my research I came across information about the quest. Things began to really solidify in my head and I was able to sketch out what I wanted.

The next step was the photo shoot. I have a neighbor who has a very regal demeanor. I knew he had to be the King. But his demeanor is SO regal that I was very nervous about approaching him. I finally conjured up the courage and approached him. He very graciously agreed. My son posed as the knight, and some friends let us "borrow" their adorable baby.

There is no question that the reason the painting progressed so smoothly and so successfully was because the photo reference turned out so perfectly. The lighting, the positions, the expressions, everything portrayed exactly as I wanted it. Even the props came together flawlessly.

In my process posts I explained the meanings of the individual pieces of the painting. But I'll wrap it up here:

While this piece is very intimate and personal to myself, I believe that the more private our emotions the more universal they are. Therefore, I feel safe in assuming that the knight represents many of us who are on life's quest. As long as we are alive we continue to struggle with challenges, hardships, and heartaches.

We yearn equally to become the King and the baby. We want wisdom, strength, and power. We want to be complete. At the same time we yearn for the lost child. We want to be innocent, adorable, and pure.

There is evidence that we are of a higher lineage. The knight's sword and mantel indicate that he is heir to the King. And yet the King seems to relate only to the child. There is a dark, significant space between the knight and the King. Yet the King honored him with a red carpet. There is a conflicting message here. He is welcomed, yet acknowledged only through the child.

Perhaps a healthy relationship with God requires us to find our lost child. Perhaps we are loved and honored by God even when our clothes are dirty, we have holes in our knees, and we are exhausted from the fight. Perhaps we are armed with strength and power that is still mysterious to us. Perhaps there is a place for us even when we feel lost and alone.

Perhaps...