Liberte 2

This piece makes it presence from the events that continue to strap the Republic of Iran. Humanity in its struggle to find peace has some very dramatic moments. Unfortunately lives are destroyed and lost during this epic struggle for human rights and dignity. There is a piece in the book of Acts in the 17 Chapter and 26,27 verse where the Apostle Paul illustrates a point. He bears witness to the wisdom of God concerning man and his habitation. He says;
"And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation" (their settlements, lands, and abodes), It is incredible how man and his ideals of what is right for nations and humanity seem to always end in tragedy. Lets set our hearts and minds to the Heavens and pray for a peaceful resolution to this age old problem. Lord have mercy on the souls who encounter this tragedy and the leaders who continue to try and justfy this evil. In Jesus name.
Amen

Worship (poster)

In the feeling of worship I created a poster that has the scriptual properties out of 1Chronicles 16 concerning worship.

Adversity or Force: The Substance For Peace

As we continue in the series of Emancipation there are some interesting events occuring that sets the point of discussion on adversity and force.
During the latter part of last week and the beginning of this week we witnessed the election in Iran and its results has been visualized with pure emotion. We see a nation that is torn apart by the election of a President whose ideals hinder the progressive nature of the youth and growth in that country. A nation torn between the Religious and secular views on how to govern. With such adversity how do they find a peaceful result?
Lets define adversity. Adversity is defined as , adverse fortune of fate: a condition marked by misfortune, calamity , or distress: One of the forces which precipitates this adverse stance toward the government of Iran is related to the misfortune of the people to freely choose a government that is representive of the people by the people.
Because of the nature of it system of govenment there will always be challenges concerning it's people. It's hierarchy beginning with the Ayatollah Khamenei is representive of religious control and force. The President and the other officals are merely put in place to administer the ideology and the religious contol of the Ayatollah's.
It is here at this day, hour, and time that the substance for peace in Iran and the region stems from the dialogue, dipolomacy and its willingness to do so concerning the parties. The basis of this premise doesn't rest itself on the adverse nature of either side, but the willingness to find peace in tolerating each others ideas and beliefs.
Freedoms are found when we confront the adverse nature of what holds us captive. Finding the truth in its meaning sets in place the assurance of peace , not control. The ideals, fundamental beliefs, and religious dogmas ingrained in the culture of its leaders will never amount to peace.
What we are seeing in Iran is a subculture of moderates who are beginning to embrace the idea of change. As humans whenever we encounter change there is always an adverse affect founded in the fear of that change. The fundamentals of there religious idealogy breeds opression , slavery and hatred. Peace is only founded in the supernatural freedom afforded in the rest of a loving ,God who is the final judge and executioner of the sin nature of man.
When the leaders and the governing officials of the Republic of Iran imbrace the idealogy of a loving and merciful God who embraces the peace and rights of every human being, then and only then will they receive the power to overcome the adversity that continues to hold there nation prisoner. Freedom is the result of tolerating and embracing the diversity of opinion , culture, and ideals of its people. It is in that result the nation will find prosperity.
Adversity and force are necessary for us to confront and embrace change. Without it there would be no impetus to change. Without change man can and will not realize his humanity and the wonderful creativity afforded to us as we line up with the image of our creator.Lets not get it twisted. The Republic of the United States was forged through the adversity of allowing religious freedoom and tolerance. It's freedoms and it's prosperity are birthed in a system of government that strives for freedoom and justice for all.
Amen

The image accompanying this article Liberte is birthed out of the emotional and fatal conviction embraced by the religious leaders in the Republic of Iran. The pain and struggle is symbolic of the death caused by religion. Liberty can only be achieved when the leaders embrace the truth of God's intentions concerning His creation. The scripture in Isiah 61:1 gives us an illustration of His intentions as it relates to the man through His son Jesus Christ. It says; " The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
Amen

"Liberte" is available for purchase at my Imagekind portfolio

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.
Limted Edition Poster 25
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Presidente click here to see available prints

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

40% of your purchase will be donated to the charity located on the auction
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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."

The painting is available for auction on

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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.