Glory (2025)

Nothing makes me happier than walking in nature, especially when I encounter a scene that takes my breath away. It's as if God reaches out beyond the "veil" and grabs my heart, reminding me to look up, and notice the Glory that is all around us.

This is the fourth in a series of paintings exploring the emotional potential of saturated color and of the effects of light streaming through the trees. My style is intentionally more abstract, although still recognizable, for a number of reasons.

In the past, landscape artists have often sought to idealize nature, emphasizing its grandeur while highlighting their amazing artistic abilities. But in my case, I am trying to recreate the emotional impact of a brief moment in time, when the light streaming through the trees hit just right. It was not just the sunlight, mind you, but also that moment of recognition that the Creator is Present, right here and now, providing this glimpse of His Glory, represented by the light streaming through the trees and transforming an ordinary day. For that reason, I do not want to over-emphasize realism, nor my own "talent," but rather grant the viewer a similar momentary glimpse of glory.

The pace of 21st century life is leaving people overwhelmed, isolated and often anxious and depressed. God has provided the antidote: look up. It takes considerable effort to put down the phone and extract ourselves from overbooked lives. Studies have shown how addictive the dopamine hits of busyness and constant stimulation and reward have become.

However, no amount of dopamine replaces the Joy of the Lord, and nothing else centers us like time in His Presence. Whether you are a believer in Christ or not, He still offers you opportunities for centering in encounters with His Creation. I hope my work encourages you to carve out time for healing and renewal as you seek the beauty of the world around you.