“Emmanuel Candle” Mixed Media- Acrylic on canvas board, watercolor, old hymnal music
What a joy to create this art piece for the First Baptist Church of Amarillo Christmas program, “Emmanuel- God With Us.”
My artistic process started by listening through the music for repeated words and themes. One of the most moving, majestic portions of the program came as the orchestra swelled beneath this powerful line: “Emmanuel, our God is with us” in a part called the “Manger Suite.”
Tears came to my eyes as I listened to this section. When I was told it was the title of the program, the idea of Jesus coming as a light in the darkness came to mind. (Read John 1:1-18 to see what I mean.)
A joyful rendition of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” opened the program, so I used a piece of an old, old hymnal to create the “glow” of the candle. I love, love, love purple and knew it would be the perfect backdrop for a candle created in lighter, complementary colors of orange and gold.
I repeated the circular shape of the candle glow in the abstract colors of the background to communicate movement and life.
The candle was painted in watercolor, then carefully cut out and positioned on the background.
Within weeks of putting the art together then singing in the program came news of violence in Paris, then San Bernadino. There’s been so much meanness in the world lately, I’m extra grateful this year that God came to be “Emmanuel- God With Us“- to walk with us through hurts and pains and losses- especially when the days we’re living in seem to be so, so dark.
On a lighter note…
One of the absolute highlights of the program was our guest tenor, Eric Barry. He is an amazing, world- class singer- and pro golfer. (Does that sound like a fun combination, or what???) I just about lost it when he sang, “Mary, Did You Know?”
I got a fun picture with Eric after the program with a copy of the program (that sounds funny to me):
If you live near Amarillo but missed this amazing Christmas musical experience, you can catch the televised broadcast of the program here:
Thursday, December 24 10:35 p.m. Cable Channel 12 (KFDA)
Friday, December 25 9:00 a.m. Cable Channels 12, 112 (KFDA)
Friday, December 25 2:00 p.m. Cable Channels 6, 106 (KZBZ)
Have a blessed and beautiful Christmas!
PS I never, ever, ever expected to see my art on a billboard, but the LORD specializes in taking little, yielded things and making them into something bigger. All those birds perched on top made me smile. I hope all they enjoyed seeing it up close! 🙂
This print is available in my ImageKind gallery.
