The inspiration for this painting comes from Seth’s surroundings. As a child, he grew up on a New Jersey farm surrounded by animals. His spiritual background in Anglicanism and Methodism and his passionate involvement with the LGBT community harmonizes with his creative drive for expression and his academic training. His work has a classical sensibility with contemporary color and composition.  He strives to go beyond creating likeness or surface description by expressing a momentary relationship to the subject, informed by a collection of past experiences.

click image to zoom 
Seth Ruggles Hiler, From the North, 2012, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

About the painting: The landscape in this image was taken from a snapshot of the Appalachian trail above the frost line, reminding Seth of Jeremiah’s note about the flock coming down “from the north.” Remembering his visit to a sheep field in Martha’s Vineyard, Seth notes that animals have always held a tender spot in his heart. Reflecting on the ironic relationship between (biblical) sheep and their Shepherd, Seth’s landscapes, portraits and collaborations often simultaneously explore ideas about the exceptional and the mundane.

When viewed through human lenses, Seth sees in an anomaly in the relationship of the Shepherd and his sheep: that such a vulnerable animal would have implicit trust in its leader, following unquestionably. And so, the surrounding verses in Jeremiah’s passage hint that there may be some trouble for this flock.

Jeremiah 13:20 KJV ”Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north:
where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?”

Seth Ruggles Hiler received a BFA in painting from Syracuse University in 2002 and an  MFA from the New York Academy of Art in 2005.  He maintains a studio in Boonton, NJ and is a professor at Bard High School Early College in Newark, New Jersey. Seth’s work has been exhibited at galleries and institutions throughout the North East and in Ontario, Canada, including the Morris Museum in New Jersey, New York City’s Salmagundi Club and Syracuse University.  In 2010, the Monmouth Museum of Art featured his work in the solo exhibition “NJ Emerging Artists Series: Seth Ruggles Hiler – Portraits.”  Read more about his process on his 2010 Plein Air excursion through New England, and a sweet note about “the Sabbath.” The premiere of “Ash Unravel,” a dance and drawing collaboration with dancer/choreographer Michael Caldwell, was presented in Toronto in 2011 at the Dance Made in Canada Festival.  Guerilla Gallery in Newark, NJ presented “CROPPED, An Intimate View,” a solo show of large graphite portraits in September 2011.
See more of Seth’s work at www.sethruggleshiler.com

Seth also has a number of exhibitions on view:

“SOLOS” curated by Ricardo Francis
Friday May 11, 2012, 6 – 9 PM until Friday June 8, 2012
Gallery 32, Hudson Pride Connections Center, 32 Jones St., Jersey City, NJ 07306

“Back to the Light”
June 7, 2012 7pm with music by Avelon (May 16 – June 30, 2012)
Right Angle Uptown, 320 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey

“New York Academy of Art Alumni – A One-Night Exhibition & Reception”
Thursday, May 10, 2012,  6 – 9 PM
ING DIRECT NYC Café, 968 3rd Avenue at 58th Street, New York, NY
Space is limited, RSVP required: http://cafes.ingdirect.com/new-york-city/.

Image is copyrighted by the artist and used here by permission.
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Listen to “Do You Love Me”

Jonathon says: “I was recently talking to a friend about the theme of sheep for Spark and Echo Arts, saying we are only spending a month on this theme because it’s harder to fill a whole three months with art on sheep passages in the Bible. He said, ‘Well Jesus spent a whole lifetime on sheep.’

And so he did… Here is one of the most famous – and rather mysterious I think – sheep illustrations from Jesus (John 21:15-18). In the song, we’ve tried to capture some of the youthfulness of Peter in the bassoon and the style of the song while recognizing the true underlying depth of what Jesus is saying to us all.”

John 21:15-18 - When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

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A note about the image accompanying the song: This is a take on the mosaic located in the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna. It is one of the best preserved early mosaics, though only hinted at in this graphic presentation. Recognize it? The illustration reminds that in John’s account, Peter “didn’t see it right away.” Jesus asked him three times (hinting at a painful reminder for Peter) before Jesus’ message came clear. 

Braden Williams, Two Bites: Still Life with Blood Orange, 2012, oil on linen, 20 x 16 inches
click image to zoom

Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

About the work: “This piece is intended to represent the moment of the beginning of sin. The forbidden fruit represented by a blood orange (In contrast to the popular thought that it was specifically an apple) spills its juices on barren earth, bringing to mind Jesus’ blood that stained the ground in order to bring redemption to the earth. Pairs of feet pointing in opposite directions surrounded by failed attempts at covering show the broken relationships brought by selfishness, rebellion, and pride.”

Artist Statement: “My primary desire as an artist is to reflect the Christian idea of redemption (one I personally experience) through finding, revealing and expressing value in what has been otherwise considered trash, worthless, useless, or despised.”

-Braden Williams

Read more of Mr. Williams’ artist statement and see more of his work at www.BradenW.com.

Braden Williams received his BFA from Western State College of Colorado, in Ceramics. He received his MFA from the New York Academy of Art. His sculptures and paintings can be found in various public and private collections. Braden has experience in a very wide range of media from marble to homemade walnut ink. He is most comfortable, however, working in oil.  He currently lives and works in Grand Rapids with his wife Stacy.

We’re illuminating the entire Bible with new artwork. Help us connect with more great artists by donating.

Our theme for April 2012 with new artworks from Spark & Echo and painter Seth Ruggles Hiler-Destino who explore interpretations of scripture concerning ‘sheep.’ Do you know someone who’d enjoy reacting to the words in the Bible along this theme? Let us know, and help us illuminate the entire Bible with new artwork!

Yo Sé by Spark & Echo

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “…For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

From the Artist

I created this image of my 8 month old daughter Vera and her father, who is raising her up in his arms. It was crafted by using a lensbaby, a lens that I use which works with a very small focal plane and blurs out the rest of the image. I wanted to capture my daughter’s expression of childlike confidence in her father. It was challenging to take a photograph of a moving baby, but I finally captured one that gave the effect of a surreal world while still seeing an expressive child. Once the image was in Photoshop, I copied and pasted the flowers from the lamp behind her to give the image even more of a “virtual reality” feeling. By just playing with the levels and adding some old photo effects I was very pleased with the final results and I imagine this is how God sees us as we were brought into light through baptism.

I want this image to evoke the significance that the Holy Scriptures has on children, and that from infancy you can be communicating to them God’s love and raise them to know God’s saving work. As a parent, I feel my most important job is to implant in the minds of our children the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior. It can be a scary, unforgiving world and that is shown by the darkness surrounding Vera in this image. But with God’s light of salvation, our children can be raised to the light of Jesus, and as parents we can know that with his word at baptism they are saved. We are free and his light shines on us so we may be truly happy and our childlike faith is visible to the world.

Melissa Vandermause has a B. A. in Fine Art from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN, where she concentrated in photography and graphic design. After she graduated, she worked with New Generation Studio (now Lime Rock Photography) and was the recipient of the Wedding Album of the Year (2006 MPPA) award. Melissa, her husband Greg and two children live and work near Hartford, Connecticut where Melissa “captures life as intended” through her photography studio, Galleria Vivid.

This work is copyrighted by Melissa Vandermause and shown here by permission. If you are interested in this or other work by Melissa Vandermause please Contact Us for assistance.

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Kings&Prophets [chapter13]
by grandmaster mumbles

Nahum 3:1,6
“Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not… And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.”

Ecclesiastes 1:2-4
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”

Job 28:3
“…as it were fire. The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.”

Job 28:5b-6
“He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death…”

Isaiah 26:17
“Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.”

Malachi 1:10,11
“…saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles…for my name shall be great among the heathen… But ye have profaned it….”

Isaiah 6:1, 9, 11
… I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. …And he said, Go, and tell this people….Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate….”

Proverbs 22:33
“Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.”

2 John 5
“And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.”

More info and artist reviews:

This work and photos featured here by permission of the artist. All right reserved by the artist. If you are interested in using this piece please contact the artist at www.barakanoel.com or Contact Us and we will help you reach the artist.

We encourage talented artists to spend time responding to the Bible by creating art. To support the creation of more compelling work consider Donating.

Panegyric, 2009, 9 x 12 in., oil on wood

Excerpts from Maria’s personal statement:

My work has always been process driven. Works evolve, mutate, meander, and grow. Images come, go, stretch, disappear. The end of a painting is just the close of a chapter, the preparation and introduction to the next work.

Working in such an organic manner the images tend to reflect personal ruminations—an ongoing conversation with the medium and the questions of daily living. I tend to grapple with themes of acceptance and belonging: life lived in the tension between individuality and community;the struggle for unity and union without demolishing the personal and particular.

In all my art-play whether it be with paint, collage, or fabric, I’ve learn that making art is a faith journey; living in the tension can be good and beautiful; and, art making aids our exploration of the mechanized, consumerist, and fractured world we live in.

Read and discover more about Maria and her fine work at www.MariaFee.net.

Friends of Spark and Echo Arts, Kenyon Adams & American Restless will be performing their new songs on Friday March 23rd, 8pm at Rockwood Music Hall.

I really liked the idea of contending with God for His name’s sake – as if to say, “I know I am not worth helping, but You have to help me because of who You are.” So the song is sort of exploring that and this idea of being completely out numbered and surrounded in a Psalm 91 sort of way, with nowhere to turn but to the Lord.
-Noah Lekas

Listen to Shame

This song is copyrighted by the artists and is featured here by their permission.
Buy the EP after March 23, 2012 here.

Click here to listen to the original demo Don’t Let Me Be Put To Shame (solo version)

Spread the word, and consider Donating to help keep Spark and Echo Arts going.

Following a successful West Coast Tour and the release of their debut album, Spark & Echo the band is touring the Midwest April 18-May 7. Hear duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel play original art songs and piano rock featuring beautiful vocal harmonies, baritone ukulele, clarinet, and Emily’s trusty steed, Boris the Bassoon. Interested in booking a show? Email info [at] sparkandecho.org.

Check out their YouTube channel www.youtube.com/sparkandecho and website www.SparkandEchoBand.com where they’ll be posting updates.

Clips from their new album

Clip from the West Coast Tour

Sponsor a Performance
One of our ongoing goals is to bring live concerts and similar events to venues that normally wouldn’t be able to afford it. If you would like to support this effort please consider a Donation. Your generosity will subsidize an exciting performance for a new audience that will greatly appreciate your gift. We will let you know what event you helped facilitate. Thank you for supporting our community of artists and audiences!