Survival Mode (Elijah’s Raven) – fine art print
$45.00
This archival quality 8 x 10 inch print features the prophet Elijah’s hand and a raven bringing him bread in tones of gold, blue and black with metallic silver dot work. The imagery is a lively combination of brushwork and stippling on a rich multi-layer background exploration of color and texture. Printed with archival inks on metallic archival quality paper by the artist.
There are many beautiful representations in Christian icon imagery depicting the story of the prophet Elijah having been fed by ravens while hiding in the desert. Elijah raises his hand in anticipation of receiving the bread (a disk reminiscent of a communion wafer) brought by the raven.
In this piece, Elijah’s hand is directly in the path of the raven’s extended wing — the feathers have separated and bear resemblance to knife blades. This stands as a symbol of vulnerability and the potential to be wounded as we extend ourselves into the world and towards others. Like Elijah fleeing to the desert, woundedness/rejection/pain are naturally something we seek to avoid, and yet ironically theses have the potential to serve as a catalyst for tremendous personal growth and maturity — a hidden gift we can receive from the Divine. Now, the disk of bread brought by the raven becomes the representation of that possible gift in the midst of all that we receive as struggle and suffering.
This unframed work of art arrives in a clear protective sleeve with certificate of authenticity. Print is signed by the artist.
Framing options available here — Framing Option
99 in stock
ARTIST STATEMENT
Our world is one of enchantment — there is an element which eludes our physical senses yet speaks to our souls. It is the mystery of divine dwelling.
Though life may feel nothing more than a random string of events, to discover meaning woven into such occurrences is to encounter the Divine. The challenge comes in trying to hold onto such findings in the face of reason and science. How does one begin to explain a feeling, a vision, a word or a touch that defies logic?
Many persons have had such experiences, but have hidden them deep inside lest they be deemed foolish for believing such miracles can occur. My work in this series is an exploration of the internal battle raging over the adoption of a new perspective on and understanding of the world.
What is the fusion between sacred order and apparent chaos, between spiritual and physical realms? Can we ever share what cannot be explained without receiving reactions of doubt and skepticism?
ENEMY: Stoke the fire, toss in your mysteries and questions, stories of miracles and angels, visions and dreams…
Give up on your all-things-are-possible God, Christian…
Can you not understand just how disenchanted this world really is?
You are a fool…and no one will believe you…
What say you, Christian?
ME: No.
This artwork is part of the series, The Battle of Enchantment — an ongoing exploration of some of my personal beliefs around the existence of a spiritual realm, the angels that occupy this space and the divine interaction between it and our world. Each piece begins with color and texture — studies in chaos. I then contemplate and select various images representative of sacred presence and care to balance the randomness of each color study.
The clean lines and stylized forms found in Byzantine and Orthodox Christian art inform my work. I combine these with a technique found in Celtic Christian illumination: to outline/fill the space between forms with tiny red dots — a visual indicator of the life-giving Word. I use a dot pattern to likewise add a sense of life and divine energy to my work.
Additional information
| Weight | 1 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 8 × 10 in |
