Coltrane

Continuing in the spirit of the Emancipation series, the emphasis on music is a key component to the emancipation of the soul. Throughout the ages it has ministered to many during the rough and good times. Music touches the very core of our being in its various genre's and styles. How wonderful is our God who laid down this ingredient in all of his creation. Looking from a creation standpoint and the writing from those who were inspiried by God, there is direct correlation to God's deliverance with the gift of song. Moses in Exodus Chapter 15 sung unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (Exodus 15:1-2) King David spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul (2 Samuel 22:1)
Emancipation through song has its merits regardless of the genre it is rooted in. Just like all of creation there rest the eternal line seperating the evil from the good which I choose to identfy as the Lord Jesus Christ. As for the writer and artist of this article I prefer the soul of man poured out through the creation of his hands using instruments to deliver the soothing melodies. (Jazz) Those heart wrenching renditions of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ produce such a powerful demonstration of His love for us. It is in these particular genre's that my soul boast in the wonderful creation of our God.
The talent and expression of John Coltrane provides and encourages my creative and spiritual in ways in which only God can inspire. There are some arguments that refute this belief because it doesn't line up with religious tradition . To those individuals I share this powerful truth in regards to the creation mandate . John Chapter 1 says:" All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."
Remember that All good things come from above Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (James Chapter 1:17. )My point is that music is a powerful and wonderful ingredient given to us by God . It encourages us and lifts our souls above the circumstances that make themselves present during these most difficult and challenging times. Amen

P.S Check out this powerful article on the Vibe website about John Coltrane http://blogs.vibe.com/man/2008/07/

The Cross And The Blood

The Cross and The Blood is the first in a series of images and posters centered on the theme Emancipation. Our value as Christians is predicated on our view and perception of the cross. The term Emancipation uses words such as free, liberate,transfer ownership, free from restraint, release from bondage , and so on . The Cross and the Blood is indicative of the liberating power needed to be free of the tyranny of Satan. The Cross and the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus is the only way. Death comes when we embrace the cross. In that death comes the Emancipating power and witness of Christ. Jesus stated it very pointedly to His disciples in Matthew 16:24; " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. That ressurrection power that raised Christ from the grave is the foundation and power available to us to claim victory. To Emancipate us from the god of this world, our flesh, and all the challenges our faith. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:17, " For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." Lets not forget its power and witness which demonstrates to us His victory over the grave.

Amen

Straight No Chaser Poster

This poster was created from the acrylic painting Straight No Chaser. The theme behind the image is centered on a piece of music from Thelonious Monk with the same title. The wonderful association that I recieved from that was related to the bass line in the tune which stayed constant. The melody danced around the bass line creating such wonderful balance. When we allow Christ to be the center of our life the melody will always be in tune with the bass line.

The poster will be available at our Artbyus portfolio

Presidente Poster

Presidente poster was created from the image Presidente.
Presidente found its way to the drawing board by way of an interview President Obama did with 60 Minutes after the November Election. I try to place emphasis on the somewhat curious and inqusitive glance the President gives when asked a question thats not in line with the seriousness of the job. I believe this question had to do with his response to winning the election. This image forms the face of humility,along with confidence, but also concern.
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e - pluribus unim poster

The image e-pluribus was created during the night of the election of President Barack Obama. Purchases or auctions can be made at 40% of your purchase will be donated to the charity located on the auctionThanks for your purchase.

Our Father Poster

The poster "Our Father" is available for a limited time only. Created from the image Our Father it will be a welcome addition to any home. Purchases or auctions can be made at

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Praise Poster

This poster is available for purchase

or auction at 40% of all purchases will be donated to the charities listed on the auction. These wonderful posters will be available for a limited time.

Straight No Chaser

This original painting Straight No Chaser available in a framed patina from and old church in Gainesville, Florida The piece was born from the title of a Thelonius Monk tune by the same name. My reference with the image is that when we take Jesus Christ straight with no chaser he begins to live in us. We can wrap him up in the old patina but he still dresses out well . The scripture in Matthew 7 points it out this way. " 13Enter 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:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

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Straight No Chaser

This image comes by way of a title from a tune by Thelonious Monk . As I was listening to the piece I noticed how the bass line stayed central to the melody. I began to visualize a straight alcoholic drink with nothing to chase it with. When we allow Jesus Christ to live in our hearts we do not need anything else As the result it is straight with no chaser.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 7:13,14

Praise 2

Christ was our ultimate expression of praise. He took it upon himself to love everything about us before he ministered the ultimate sacrafice necessary to play out the love of the Father

My emphasis here is to break up the objective form to show how His love is applied without any conditions. The faces are there to illustrate the emo necessary to express how wonderful He is.

Lord Give Me Strength

This image was created for the Feb artwalk at The Porch in Gainesville. My goal here is to emphasize the gesture of asking for strength. The color and the verticle line help to emphasize the hope expected as a result of the request. The image was painted in acrylics on a primed linen canvas.

1Thess 4:16

1 Thess 416 was born out of the meditation of that verse in the scriptures. It says; "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first." In the middle of the image sits a soul who is not in on the departure. The background illustrates those who were dead in Christ rising to His glory.

Whoaa

Whoaa comes by way of the football season. I just wanted to create something different from the traditional .

Rejoice

Our God is so wonderful he gave us the ability to praise Him forever.

When we take on the garment of praise it removes us from all of the issues and circumstances surrounding us. It is an attitude that manisfest itself in repentance (deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.
regret for any past action) because it allows us to inter into the presence of God. It is like walking into a room and leaving the fleshly things outside the door.

Every day I will bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.Psalm 145:2