A Painting Of Christ

In October Conference, Sister Kristin Yee shared her experience of painting Christ.  She started her Conference talk this way:  

"About 10 years ago I felt impressed to paint a portrait of the Savior. Though I am an artist, this felt a bit overwhelming. How was I to paint a portrait of Jesus Christ that captured His Spirit? Where was I to begin? And where would I find the time?

Even with my questions, I decided to move forward and trust that the Lord would help me. But I had to keep moving and leave the possibilities to Him. I prayed, pondered, researched, and sketched and was blessed to find help and resources. And what was a white canvas started to become something more.

The process wasn’t easy. Sometimes it didn’t look as I had hoped. Sometimes there were moments of inspired strokes and ideas. And many times, I just had to try again and again and again...."   (The Joy of Our Redemption.)

Here is her painting.  She titled it "And I Partook".

She talks about the whole process and talked about our Redemption because of Jesus Christ.  It is a beautiful and powerful talk and I suggest you google it and read or reread it again.

The whole point of all of that background is that since hearing that talk, I have thought of how I would "paint" the Savior.  Sister Yee is an artist of great talent.  She could do it.  I am not an artist but I can imagine a piece of art and so over the past six weeks, I have pondered that idea--what would my painting of Christ look like.  I haven't gotten it completely done in my head and aspects change from time to time but these are some of the words that explain the art work in my imagination.

First, the background of my painting would be filled with light--yellows and whites beyond description. (No reflection at all on Sister Yee's painting, just my ideas.) To me, Christ is filled with light so much that it bounces and fills the space all around Him. He would be standing in front the tree of life--green with life.  This is a symbol that I cherish--the tree of life where God's love is represented in its abundance. The white fruit would glisten and reflect the light of Christ. He is there waiting--for us to seek for Him, to lean on His strength, and to take advantage of His great Atonement for us. He stands with arms outstretched and leaning towards us--but not demanding or pulling us to Him--but us coming to Him is His greatest desire. He is reaching our reachings.

That's my painting.  How would you paint the Savior?