Darkness And Light

This painting Is being donated to the 611 Network. This is an organization that rescues women and children who are victims of sex trafficking. I am part of their artist collective. Our art is auctioned off and the money is directly donated to the rescue. The next auction is coming up soon. Here is a link to stay informed - Auction. 

The inspiration for this painting comes from John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Things happen in life. Wars are fought. Loved ones lost. People get terminal illnesses. Relationships get damaged. Abuse occurs. Tragedies tear at the illusion that we are in control. In reality, we are imperfect beings living in an imperfect world.

People suffer traumas of all kinds and magnitudes. Brokenness cries, “Is there no balm of Gilead?”

The cry seems to be met with silence. There are no easy answers.

Yet, when our world cracks and the ground shifts beneath our feet... when nothing looks the same, and the way ahead is dark with monsters lying in wait...

We must remember there is light. Though hidden at times, it still shines.

And when we cannot find the light... the light can find us.

The lyrics to Leonard Cohen's song, Anthem, are both poignant and profound. There is something remarkably courageous and vulnerable about facing tragedy yet still holding onto hope... however small or fragile.

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

In the worst scenarios, light still shines through the crack and can find us.

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​Below are pictures of the painting stages and materials I used. My materials were an 18x24" canvas and oil paints. The colors I used were:
Burnt Sienna
Chrome Yellow
Lemon Yellow
Prussian Blue
Coral
Titanium White
Ivory Black
​Payne's gray​

​I painted the canvas with an under layer of coral. I knew the finished painting would be quite dark so I wanted a vibrant under layer to keep things from getting too dull looking.

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​Much of the sky is done with a layer of prussian blue. I continue to paint the light with lemon yellow, titanium white, chrome yellow and coral. I am still blocking in shapes.

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​The man walking is sketched in. He is deep in thought, head down, not seeing the light ahead.

The sky Is developed more, using payne's gray, ivory black and titanium white.  

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​There is more definition to the sky. The man is painted in. I added some burnt sienna and a door to suggest a building.  

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Thank you for taking the time to view this post! Please remember the children and if you have a heart to give the link is 611network.org