Tree Of Redemption
“Tree of Redemption” is a painting that knits together the catastrophic events of the Old Testament in the garden of Eden, with the promise of redemption in the New Testament. In Genesis, the tree of knowledge of good and evil is at the center of the tragedy where all of creation and humanity is cursed. In the Gospels, the tree that Jesus hung on during the crucifixion brings about a promise of life and redemption to both humanity and creation.
In Genesis, after Adam and Eve listened to the serpent and ate of the fruit that they were forbidden to eat, life was forever changed. The earth, the perfect garden, that God had created and called very good, He now cursed. Humanity, that was supposed to live in perfect communication with God and live forever on earth, was now going to experience separation from God, and a physical death. The passage in Genesis 3:14-19, reveals that the earth will be full of thorns and thistles from that point on. The serpent, Satan himself, will be crushed by the future offspring of the woman, which is later revealed in the Gospels as Jesus. In the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, He is mocked by the Romans, and they place a crown of thorns on His head and call Him the King of the Jews.
Symbolism Revealed. In the center of this painting, the tree represents both trees. The original curse of all of creation (humanity and earth), and the tree that Jesus hung on. The crown of thorns represents the thorns of the earth in Genesis and the crown that was placed on Jesus’ head. Very subtly, I painted a tree limb to double as a branch and also as the outstretched arm of Jesus. By His death on the cross, He supernaturally set into motion the redemption of both creation and humanity which will be revealed in its entirety at the “fullness of time’.
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time…we also groan inwardly for our adoption…the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:22-23
“Tree of Redemption”, Oil on Canvas, 2013, Private Collection, GA
Revelation
“Revelation” is one of 6 paintings in the Penn State University HUB art gallery series. On March 7th, I wrote that I was still grappling with how to create abstract unified paintings that combined my own symbolic visual vocabulary. The word “revelation” referred to in the title, has its roots in the Greek word apokalypsis . It translates to mean the removal of a veil so that something hidden may be seen. The sense of a heavenly unveiling is what I wanted to portray in this particular painting.
This composition captures a moment in the future that is yet to be. Waterfalls are painted in the sky; a supernatural and heavenly world is being revealed. There is a doorway that is an invitation into this new world. I formed the doorway using abstracted petals from a bearded iris flower. This is a form that I used repeatedly in this stage as an emerging abstract artist.
I chose a warm and golden color scheme. This evokes the feeling of a new era that is about to begin, like the dawning of a new day. This glorious warmth is in stark contrast to the dark, ominous landscape. The jagged ridges of the mountains represent the treacherous journeys that we may all have experienced in this present lifetime. Our hearts long to get a glimpse of this future hope.
“Revelation”, 48” x 48”, Oil on Canvas, 1997, Private Collection, GA
I regret that at the moment, this is the only photograph that I can locate of this painting. This photo does not show the true subtleties and range of color that is truly there. I sold this in the early 2000’s and I’m hoping that I’ll find a better hard copy somewhere in storage.
Vision and Reality
ln the fall of 1992, I entered Penn State University as a freshman majoring in Art. All the years prior, it seemed like I had a pencil or paintbrush in my hand at all times. I couldn’t pinpoint the moment that I started drawing and painting, it was just something that I did. However, during the years leading up to college, the majority of my art was focused on representation of the world around me. My understanding of art was that the best art needed to closely resemble objects or people in reality. Freshman year broadened my horizons and introduced me to abstract and conceptual art. I spent the next few years pursuing how to build a composition with symbols that communicated a message.
In the spring of 1997, I had a show at the Penn State HUB Art Galleries. I displayed 6, 48”x48,” canvases that were the culmination of my new symbolic visual vocabulary. “Vision and Reality’s” focal point was built using a bearded iris turned on its side and abstracted. It represented fluid layers. I included a sun and a moon that symbolized the imagery in Psalm 1. They represented meditating on God’s word day and night. This became a recurring theme in my work from this point on.
The imagery of the cave is borrowed from Plato’s cave. In his story, the people are chained, facing a cave interior wall. A fire is behind them. All that they can see is the shadows on the wall of real people in the world, not the actual people. I used this story as analogy for my own spiritual vision and calling. The light of the vision outside of the cave, is so bright that it is casting shadows for me to see in the present. The vision and calling are not realized yet, I have to work to make them a reality.
In this painting, there is also a sense of lava and movement, like plate tectonics that cause land formations. There needs to be molten heat and transformational change in order to see these visions come to pass. I also included a stream of water coming down from the sky, it represents the living water of Christ that brings refreshment, the coolness helps the vision gain life, solidify and become a reality.
“Vision and Reality”, 48”x48”, Oil on Canvas, 1997, Private Collection, Durham, NC
Without this backstory, it is highly unlikely that that viewer would be able to able to decode the symbolism and discover my intentions. Over the years, watching people interact with my work, it has become just as rewarding to hear how each piece speaks to a person in entirely different ways. Sometimes they uncover hidden things that I didn’t know were there. That’s the beauty and mystery in art.
The Pearl
Inspired by a parable in Matthew 13:45-46. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he sold all he had and bought it.” This parable has always both intrigued and challenged me. Will I be all in? Will I give up everything that is of no value to chase and grab hold of that which has ultimate and eternal value?
The very act of painting layers to form the pearl itself, brought to mind the process in which a pearl comes into existence. An irritant, like a grain of sand, first has to make its way into the oyster. In order to protect itself from this irritant, the oyster secretes a fluid. It secretes layer upon layer until a pearl is formed. Likewise, in life, it is possible that adversity can cause something of great value and beauty to form inside of us as well.
“The Pearl”, Oil on Canvas, 18”x24”, 2019, Private Collection, MD
Walking Through Fire
“Walking Through Fire” is an example of a painting that took on a life of its own. I happen to be an avid fan of geology and intended to do an abstract study on caves and stalactites. As I built up the layers using tissue paper and acrylic paints, it quickly transformed into something entirely different. I continued, layer after layer, building up the textures and all of a sudden, it reminded me of fire. My intention shifted. Just then, a fellow artist in my collective happened to walk by and comment, “I see people!” Deep breath. Hmmm…fire and people. The pairing of these 2 subjects immediately triggered my memory of an account in the book of Daniel.
In Daniel Chapter 3, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had just erected a gold statue and required everyone to bow down and worship it. There were 3 Hebrew exiles that had been given the Babylonian names Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They refused to worship this statue because they refused to deny the God of Israel. As a result, they were thrown into a fiery furnace. When the King looked in, he saw that not only were there 3 men still walking around, but it also appeared that there was a 4th man that looked like the Son of God. The King in amazement, ordered them to come out. When they came out, they were not harmed, and they didn’t even smell like smoke.
“Walking Through Fire”, Mixed Media and Collage on Canvas, 35”x24”, 2021, Private Collection Hillsborough, NC
3 Types of Deliverances.
This year, I felt led to study the book of Daniel. One of my daughters gifted me a workbook written by Beth Moore, and I purchased the accompanying 12 videos. In regard to this passage, Beth Moore shared some poignant insights. In our lives, we will encounter some of our own fires. There were 3 scenarios that Beth described that stuck with me.
God delivers us from the fire. There might be a fatal diagnosis and we are miraculously healed, or dire circumstances are changed.
God delivers us through the fire. We might encounter serious trials and tribulations, but He is with us every step of the way, strengthening us.
God delivers us by the fire to Himself. We don’t survive the fire here on earth, but we are delivered into His arms.
This painting “Walking Through Fire” is a visual reminder for me that I can take courage even in the fiery trials.
Art and Life Collide in “Quail from Above”.
Every once in a while, I have the pleasure of seeing my life mimic my art or rather, illustrate a principle that I have painted. In this particular case, it was in April of 2023, and I was eagerly counting down the days until my daughter was to give birth to my granddaughter. We were about 8 days out. As an artist, I typically have to rely on various streams of income. I had a show hanging in Cary, NC that had been up for several months with not a lot of feedback. I was also teaching at a local paint and sip company in 2 different locations and having so much fun. Thinking that we were still 8 days out, I requested off the following week from both of the studios. “No problem”, I thought, “I can make it work”. Little did any of us know, my granddaughter was on her way that very night and made her entrance the next morning. When my daughter summoned me to meet her at the hospital, I scrambled with excitement to move my schedule around. I would be out of work a lot longer than I expected.
Two days later after my granddaughter arrived, I was packing my car to go join my daughter and her husband at their home. I would be staying almost 2 weeks to help out with late-night diaper changes. Unexpectedly, a notification on my Etsy App made the sound “cha-ching”. Remember the show in Cary that had very little feedback? Someone had just happened to be stopping by on their way through town and bought a fairly large iris painting of mine. As I communicated with her about shipping the piece to Virginia, she bought 2 more paintings which made 3 in all. How does this relate to the “Quail from Above” you might be wondering. I’m glad you asked!
The obvious answer, this is one of the 3 paintings that she purchased. The not so obvious answer is the meaning behind the painting juxtaposed with this particular season in my life. “Quail From Above” was originally painted in 2019, referring to the account in Exodus. The Israelites had just spent 400 years in Egypt in captivity and Moses was able to lead them out of Egypt when God helped him part the Red Sea. Even after witnessing this miracle, they began to grumble and complain about being hungry, that they would have been better off back in Egypt. God heard their complaining, and He sent them manna in the morning and quail in the evening.
How my story collides with this painting. I myself had left a 9-5 job the year in 2022. I can’t compare it to being a slave in Egypt, but I had a sense stability and predictability working there even though it was physically taxing. I took a leap of faith when I left and started relying on art sales and teaching painting classes. This new situation was hardly predictable, but it met my needs, and it was fun. Circle back to April of 2023, I really wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to be away from teaching for 2 weeks to help my daughter. I hadn’t planned for that. BUT before I even had time to get anxious about it, God arranged for 3 of my paintings to sell to one client. It may have appeared random, but it was definitely calculated. God had sent me provision or “quail” at the very moment I couldn’t rely on my teaching income. In case I didn’t get the hint, He used the very imagery of one of the paintings that sold, to drive the point home.
“Quail From Above”, 24”x18”, Oil on Canvas, 2019, Private Collection, VA
Imagery Explained
The central focus of this painting is of course the quail. In the background, the quail seems to be coming down from the sky resting on a cushion of feathers. These feathers are meant to be reminiscent of angel wings. Above, in the sky, there are rays reaching upward and what appears to be rain droplets coming down. These symbolize the dew that became bread or manna in the mornings. The spring greens and cerulean blue were chosen to represent new life and provision even though they were still wandering in the wilderness. At times I find myself wandering in my own wilderness and need to remember His continuous and unceasing provision.
Holy Ground
This painting titled “Holy Ground” was inspired by the account of Moses in the book of Exodus. Moses, who had been raised like a Prince in Egypt, had to flee after it was discovered that he had killed an Egyptian. He arrives in Midian and remains there for 40 years. While he is out tending sheep in the wilderness, he notices a bush that is on fire but it is not consumed. As Moses approaches the bush, God calls out to him to remove his sandals. He is told that the very ground he is standing on, is Holy Ground.
As a child, I heard this narrative so many times growing up in church that it became too familiar. I became desensitized to its significance. In my memory, it was also presented as an isolated event without much context. A random story that didn’t translate into real life. It remained a cartoon cut out on a felt board. Later as an adult, trying to make the connections, I started dissecting the Bible trying to see how the 66 books fit together as a whole. The accounts that I remembered as a child, were no longer isolated threads. They became illuminated threads that were woven together to make a beautiful tapestry.
“Holy Ground”, was painted as visual reminder to myself that God is omnipresent. He cannot be contained by the 4 walls of a church and He is too big to be held by the mental constraints that I have assigned to Him. He can, and He will show up wherever He pleases. If I am sensitive to His voice God can speak to me anywhere. If I listen expectantly, He will guide me and show me His will. As with the burning bush, He is able to burn away all of the compartments that used to keep my life fragmented. I feel whole, and I’m not consumed.
“Holy Ground”, 48”x24”, Oil on Canvas, 2015, Private Collection, AZ
Technique
This painting is a culmination of many years of experimenting. I experimented using oil paint, drips of turpentine over layers of linseed oil and paint. I also incorporated metallic oils to get a shimmering effect.
Hovering Over the Deep
In the oil painting, “Hovering Over the Deep”, I was inspired by the book of Genesis, which is a book about beginnings. In Genesis 1:1-2, it reads, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
This particular passage, the first book of the Bible and the first line, has always fascinated me visually. Even as I child, I tried to imagine the scene as if it were a movie being played out in front of me. When God first created the earth, it was formless, it had no order. It was dark. What about the sounds, was it quiet? What about movement, was it still? It was deep. How deep? Underneath the “surface’ in my subconscious, there has always been a deep longing to be able to picture this moment. A sadness, that I wasn’t there to witness it. It says God’s Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters. Did the Spirit already know what He was going to do with this formless, dark void? Was He contemplating His next move? It’s as if there is a pregnant pause at this moment in time. Time. Did time exist at this very moment yet? At this point in the passage, we as readers know there is more to come. We are just waiting for what follows with anticipation.
“Hovering Over the Deep”, 48”x48”, Oil on Canvas, 2014, Private Collection, Seattle, WA
Double Meanings: Symbolism Embedded in the Canvas
The actual canvas that I used for this painting holds its own symbolism. In 2014, I was asked if I could bring in a blank stretched canvas to the Vine Community Church, in Cumming, Ga. It was to be used during the service. In response to the sermon, the congregation was given slips of paper and was asked to write about something new that they were going to pursue in their life, a new beginning. They then pinned it to the canvas. After all of the slips were removed, there were tiny pin pricks all over the canvas. It was with this surface that I painted this painting. Lots of formless strokes, drips. Vaporous washes of color mixed with turpentine (mineral spirits) and oil. The surface that once held all of the “new beginning” intentions of a congregation, became a painting about the moment right before the formless became order and the darkness became light.
Application
What is something you would like to begin today?
Painting Life Lessons from the Welwitschia Mirabilis Plant
I absolutely love painting the Welwitschia Mirabilis plant. I started painting it in the 1990’s during my classes at Penn State University. I love the leaves that intertwine and lay like a pile of ribbons to the vermillion flowers in the center that feel like the adornment in a braid. I think of the Welwitschia Mirabilis plant, and I am just in awe. This plant found in the Namib desert in Africa, has an average lifespan of about 400-1500 years. They’ve even found a few that were older than 2000 years old.
Talk about grit and determination, this plant knows how to survive. I’ve gleaned so many insights from this incredible plant. First, it has a stem, roots and 2 leaves, period. These 2 leaves continue to grow throughout the plant’s lifetime. The leaves never shed, they just continue to grow, curve and twist. They persevere in the desert getting tattered and torn by the elements but continue on. They use the slopes of their leaves to collect condensation from the fog and strategically direct it, rolling it down to their roots. Their roots have also grown down so deep that they’ve tapped into an underground water source. The nectar that their flowers produce, provide food for insects and their leaves provide moisture to larger animals. The leaves are able to repair themselves even after an animal has taken a bite.
“Welwitschia Mirabilis”, 36” x 24”, Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas, Painted by Amy Jane Whitney, 2020
Life Lessons from the Welwitschia Mirabilis
Wow! It’s incredible that God could use a plant like this to teach me to persevere in my own life. There have been many times in my own life that I thought that I was in a desert of my own. As a child, I moved from South Africa to the US and experienced such a culture shock that it brought the onset of panic attacks. As a teenager, I battled depression and self-medicated. Soon after in high school, I became a single mom and felt like an outcast. Nevertheless, I found my source of support and nourishment and was able to go on to college and graduate. Finally, getting married and raising more children, there were times that I was so exhausted that I didn’t know how I was going to function. I found strength in God’s Word and was able to make it through another day, one day at a time. Then, after 19 years of marriage, circumstances led to the end of that season, and I was definitely feeling like the Welwitschia Mirabilis, all tattered and blown by the wind. Again, I used my resources. I found condensation from the fog of my situation and dug my roots deep down into the faith that had given me a firm foundation.
The Season to Bloom and Flourish
Presently, I’m at half a century of growth. I had my doubts that I would actually make it this far in one piece. Like the Welwitschia Mirabilis, I’m still here and I’ve experienced an incredible growing season. I can only hope that through my life, I can provide nourishment and refreshment to those that I am currently in community with. I pray that they too would feel able to keep going and growing as well.