Best Two Years x 6

This is a family missionary portrait that continues the Isaiah theme of "How Beautiful Upon the Mount." This one carries the scripture to a modern application, "And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!" Mosiah 15:16. It's important to recognize that the scriptural patterns continue to ripple into the present.

You can check out the earlier three paintings from this ongoing series on my website www.davidwilsonillustration.com

Displayed in the picture are artifacts and mementos that represent missionary service from my family. My father served as a missionary in Japan-a letter of his, his hand stitched hymnal (Shoto Wilson), my own mission to Brazil-Portuguese Bible,worn shoes, letter, & missionary papers in the shoe, my brother & brother-in-law's missions to Italy- name tag, letter, another brother's mission to England-His tie & Book of Mormon, and a younger brother who has yet to serve-his journal. All missionary service is focused on the Savior Jesus Christ.

I wanted to show the growth that occurs laboring, studying the scriptures, & serving as well as a family bond that grows even stronger through serving the LORD.

Hope the explanation of the painting hopes you enjoy it a little more. Toodles.

Oil Sketch

Here is a small oil painting I did the other day. I really love doing these quick paintings, there is a lot that stays fresh in the shapes and color. However, they generally lack substantive depth.

This one has a lot of personal meaning since I'm giving to my mom for Christmas. I did this painting in celebration that I am not the artist I was before. When I was about 12 my mother asked me to paint a nice picture for the house. I was twelve and very angst, so I painted an abstract interpretation of a suicide that had taken place in my middle school. Skeleton's, black and gray, very sparse color-yeah, like I said, I was 12.

I scoffed at being asked to paint a "nice picture." I didn't do "nice."

This painting is bright, playful, uplifting and hopeful. There has been a lot of maturing and self-evaluation happening. While there are real dark emotions and negative things that need to be addressed in life, I know that don't need to wallow there to be "artistic." Life generally is bright and hopeful; I hope you enjoy the post and will excuse me for sharing something personal.
Merry Christmas, a season of glad tidings of great joy!

Backwards

These little acrylic paintings I did of my brother's struggle with ADD; I thought it worked out perfectly with the Illustration Friday theme. Sometimes we all end up a little backwards, even after the simplest of tasks.