The Strait and Narrow Way

In one of my previous posts I mentioned that I was going to enter the 10th International Art Competition sponsored by the Church History Museum of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I also mentioned that I was going to wait to post anything until after the show has started.  Well that show has been up for over a month now and I need to follow through with what I said.  If you can see the show in person it is really good, but if you cannot go here is a link for the online version: https://www.lds.org/church/news/tell-me-the-stories-of-jesus-10th-international-art-exhibit-opens?lang=eng

I entered my painting and although it made it through the first round of judging it was not selected to be in the show.  Considering that this was my second professional painting and the second art competition that I have entered I wasn’t really expecting I would make it into the show.  Even with my realistic expectations it was still difficult to process the feelings of rejection.  There are a lot of emotions connected to this show among myself and other Mormon artists I know and that subject is worth exploring in a future post.

My brother Nick also entered this competition with his awesome painting Wise Man, Foolish Man.  It was accepted and selected for a purchase award!

The good news is that I submitted my painting to Springville's 30th Annual Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah Show and it was accepted!  My painting is entitled the Strait and Narrow Way.  It is mixed media (acrylic, metal leaf and oil) and the size is 25″ x 60″.

Here are some pictures:

The Strait and Narrow Way
Copyright 2015 Brad Stephens

I wrote two different statements for this painting.  Both are interesting so I will include both.

This statement was for the LDS 10^th International Art Competition:

The Savior said “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

My painting symbolically represents the strait and narrow path that leads to Heaven. After entering the gate of baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost it is required to stay on this path forever. Within the path are ascending levels of obedience and faithfulness represented by the different orange colored sections. There are also higher ordinances and covenants connected with the middle of the path which leads to the highest degree in heaven. The central honey comb pattern alludes to a promised land flowing with milk and honey.

Conversely, there are many dangers off the path. Leaving the path the light diminishes and the dark outlands are full of deceptions and spiritual death. The dark blue green quagmire is the consequences of sin and is the broad way, strange roads and forbidden paths mentioned in scripture.

God’s Spirit radiates outward from Heaven (the golden rays) inviting all to come unto Christ and be saved. Or as it is described in the Book of Mormon the Savior will “lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked—And land their souls…in the kingdom of heaven.” (see Helaman 3:27-30)

This statement is for the upcoming 30^th Spiritual and Religious Art Show.

Using archetypal imagery I depict an illuminated path ascending into the Heavens. Within this plane are disparate spaces that are light and dark, ordered and chaotic. In life we pass through extreme experiences and it’s common to become confused and lost. Thankfully we are not left to wander alone. Jesus Christ invites everyone to come to him and be saved. His grace radiates outward providing inspiration and help to us regardless of where we are in our journey. As we embrace his truth and light he lifts and carries us across the gulf of misery into the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Exhibition Opening Reception is Wednesday, November 18, 2015 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Springville Museum of Art.  The show will run until January 12, 2016.  The Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 5pm, Wednesdays 10am to 9pm, and Sundays 3pm to 6pm. Closed Mondays and Holidays. Admission is Free. http://www.smofa.org/visit_the_museum/hours/index.html

My brother Nick will have two paintings in this same show and they are both worth seeing in person.  His painting of Rome is uniquely beautiful and our house feels empty without it hanging in the hall.  His other painting called Higher Ground is breathtaking and truly elevating.

Nick will also have several paintings available for collecting in the upcoming 100 Dollar show on December 3, 2015 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Springville Museum of Art. You don’t want to miss this!

Brad

Springville's 29th Annual Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah Show

I know the show is already over, but I wanted to post my favorite art works from the 29th Annual Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah Show. They are in no particular order.  This is a mix of my favorites and my brother Nick's favorites.

Ron R. Richmond - evening (no. 7), oil on canvas

I love Ron Richmond's paintings! 

Lynde Ann Mott - Mary and Martha, mixed media on board

 This is a very beautiful painting by my good friend Lynde. I like the complimentary opposition, the textures and colors.

Detail of Mary

Detail of Martha

Lee R. Cowan - Sacerdotal Transit, oil on canvas

Dan Wilson - A Key to Heaven, Oil

 Dan's art is very well crafted and inspiring.

Dan Wilson - Detail from Treading the Path, Oil

Jason Alan Lanegan - Family History Reliquary, mixed

Anthony Sweat - By the Gift and Power of God, Oil on board

I like the composition and colors.

Jen Tolman - Reflection, Oil on board

Mary Sauer - Study for The Young Carpenter, oil on canvas

William Whitaker - Builder's Apprentice, oil on panel

Joshua & Mark Graham - Ama Dablam, oil on board

If I had extra money I would have purchased this.  Enough said.

Maddison Colvin - Template (London), Graphite, ink on paper

Maddison Colvin - Template (London), Graphite, ink on paper

Kraig Varner - Brigham Young, Architect of the West, Bronze

Spencer Ryan Olsen - Provo Center Street Temple, Cyanotype

J. Ken Spencer - Manti Temple, oil on linen

Nathan Clark - Intersection of Three Points, Paint and Wood

J. Kirk Richards - Angels Ministered to Him (Homage to De La Tour), oil on linen

Nick W Stephens - Finding Peace, acrylic oil leaf

Rand Clinton Smith - This Way, shellac, acrylic, oil

Clinton Whiting - Nativity, Acrylic on canvas board

Mary Jane Jones - God's earth: the water..., beeswax on board (encaustic)

Lisie Beck Brundage - Athereal Growth, woodcut on mulberry paper

Justin Wheatley - The Prayer, Acrylic on board

Nick W Stephens - Do Men Gather Figs of Thistles?, acrylic oil leaf

This painting was purchased during the show. Congratulations Nick!

Justin Burton Kunz - Disciple Study #2, oil

Lee R. Cowan - Inestimable Intangible Commodity, mixed

Caitlin Connolly - building very small arks, oil on panel

Candace A. Rideout - Feed My Sheep, oil on linen

Kathleen Peterson - Mary and Elizabeth, oil on mahogany

Mark Pugh - Peter's Faith in Christ, oil on pane

Robert Barrett - Handmaiden, charcoal

Lynde Ann Mott - Winged Victory, Mixed media on board

George Barnhill - Assyrian Battle Box, Bronze, Beech, Iron, Leather

I hope you enjoyed seeing these again (or for the first time).  

Many thanks to all of the staff and volunteers at the Springville Museum for making this show happen each year!

Brad

Happy New Year!

Considering that my first painting (One Eternal Round) is about the plan of salvation I have been thinking about the other names for this plan. I searched online in the Book of Mormon (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng) and found nine other names of this plan.  I arranged them in an order that made sense to me.

Great plan of happiness

Great plan of the Eternal God

Merciful plan of the great Creator

Great plan of mercy

Plan of mercy

Great plan of redemption

Plan of redemption

Plan of restoration

Great and eternal plan of deliverance from death

While I was searching for this information an interesting thing stood out to me in the scriptures.  I found references to the devil’s plan.  A fitting title would be the plan of damnation.  Here are some of the names in the Book of Mormon:

Great plan of destruction

Cunning plan of the evil one

Plan of [the] adversary

Secret plans

Secret plans of wickedness

Plans of awful wickedness

Plans to pervert the ways of the righteous

Also, I have some other pictures of my painting in case anyone is interested.

 

The side has metal leaf like the lines on the front.

Close up of texture.

More texture close up.

I look forward to new art in the New Year.  I am currently working on a new piece for the 10^th International Art Competition.  More info can be found here: https://www.lds.org/church/news/10th-international-art-competition-theme-is-tell-me-the-stories-of-jesus?lang=eng&query=10th+international+art

If my piece gets accepted into the show I will probably wait to post pictures on this blog until after the show starts next year (Fall of 2015).  It will be exciting to have it unveiled to the world when the exhibit opens.

Happy New Year!

Brad

One Eternal Round (The Plan of Salvation Circumscribed)

My first work of art is titled One Eternal Round (The Plan of Salvation Circumscribed).  It has acrylic paint with metal leaf on a 22 inch diameter circular panel.  After many uncounted hours (and days) I finished it on November 6, 2014 just before the deadline for the 29th Annual Spiritual & Religious Art Show at the Springville Museum of Art.  It is a juried exhibition and thankfully my piece was accepted into the show.

One Eternal Round
Copyright Brad Stephens 2014

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a central doctrine in the Church is known as the plan of salvation.  This plan outlines our eternal progression (where we came from, where we are now and where we go after this life).  It is God’s plan of happiness of his children.  Common visual representations of this plan use a linear diagram with separate areas representing each phase and events in our progression.   I wanted to design a simplified version using only overlapping and interconnected circles.  I also wanted to show how the atonement of Jesus Christ is central to our salvation.

Here is the definition for Circumscribe:

1: To draw a line around (surround by a boundary).

2: To enclose within a certain limit (to define or mark off carefully).

3: In geometry to draw a figure around another figure so as to touch it at as many points as possible.

In essence I wanted to symbolically and visually circumscribe the plan of salvation.  Because this blog is open to the world I hope that this makes sense to people who are not of my religion.  I live in Utah (USA) and a large portion of the citizens of this state (and especially in Utah County) are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They should have no confusion about the concepts being presented.

Heaven is separated into three areas known as (from the lowest to the highest) the Telestial Kingdom, Terrestrial Kingdom, and Celestial Kingdom.   God lives in the Celestial Kingdom.  Before we are born into this world we lived with Him there in a “pre-mortal” state.  The goal of this life is to follow God’s plan by passing through different phases of experience and learning and qualify to return back to live with God in the Celestial kingdom. 

I was never satisfied with the linear diagrams that show the pre-mortal state and the final Celestial kingdom as two separate areas.  They are the same place/state and so the start is the finish.  I also feel that the different phases of our lives are more interconnected than we understand, although, it is hard for us to comprehend that in our mortal finite minds.

Initial concept sketch

Color sketch

Idea for additional enhancements (i.e., seed of life)

Final color studies

Finished!

Explanation of my design (see the diagram at the bottom):

The outer ring is the Celestial Kingdom.

The middle ring is the Terrestrial Kingdom.

The circle in the center is the Telestial Kingdom.

As spirit children of Heavenly Parents we lived with God in the Celestial Kingdom (the bottom light orange section).  When we are born we pass through a veil and receive a physical body and are innocent as children (the medium orange section). When we become accountable before God and make mistakes and sin we separate ourselves from God and enter the fallen world (the darkest orange section). 

The center point marks our death where we (as spirits) are assigned to a temporary state of paradise or prison represented by the two dark blue sections on the right and left of the center. After a period of time we are brought back to the center to be judged by the Savior and resurrected with a physical, perfect and immortal body.  We will also be assigned to a kingdom of glory (the top three orange sections ascending as Telestial, Terrestrial and Celestial). The Savior Jesus Christ and His atonement is the center of everything in God's plan.

People who go back to the Celestial kingdom pass through the veil into the presence of God.  Also, there is the potential that a married couple (man and woman) who both obtain Celestial life will be able to progress and eventually become Gods (known as exaltation) and have their own spirit children.  Their spirit children will then be able to pass through the same plan of salvation that they went through.  This is the eternal plan that governs the universe.  God creates worlds without number and he inhabits those worlds with his children.  God has said “for behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).  He has also said “listen to the voice of the Lord your God, even Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, whose course is one eternal round, the same today as yesterday, and forever” (Doctrine and Covenants 35:1).  Those who follow the plan and become Gods will walk the same “one eternal round”.

The gold lines originating from the center represent the light of Christ and the Holy Spirit.  It also reflects God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence.  I like this scripture which describes some of the attributes of the Son of God, Jesus Christ:

He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth; which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.

As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made; as also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made; and the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.  And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings; which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space — The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things. (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13)

One manifestation of the light of Christ is conscience, which helps a person choose between right and wrong.  People who hearken to the light of Christ are led to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and become members of His Church enter the strait gate and follow the narrow way which leads to eternal life.

To learn more about the God’s plan of salvation please visit: https://www.lds.org/topics/plan-of-salvation?lang=eng

Brad