HOW CAN I PAINT GOD

Imagination is integral to my craft as a painter. Suppose that I consider painting a picture of God, not as an idol to be worshipped but rather to tell God's story using visual imagery, how can I paint God when God is not observable? I am confounded. God is concealed, invisible. I have no model, nothing upon which to base a rendering. However, I remember that Jesus was a young adult when prayed the words, “our Father who lives in heaven.” Imagination encourages me to envision God the Father as at least one generation older than Jesus himself. Furthermore, in first century culture, men did not shave their beards so God likely had a long white beard. Would that seem plausible? It's highly unlikely. Let's say that it's at least convenient because it indulges the human mind that finds it easier to process the physical than the spiritual.

The famous Italian artist Michelangelo had no hesitation in painting a representation of God on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. In his central scene of creation, Michelangelo painted God as a Caucasian white-bearded grandfatherly patriarchal figure extending his forefinger in a gesture by which he was imparting life to a newly created Adam. That was pure speculation and it was likely gloriously incorrect because no one has seen God the Father and the Bible says that God is spirit and we cannot assume God looks like a man. In fact the task of painting God is more problematic than any of us might imagine.

BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB

This painting by Ron DiCianni, renowned painter of images that tell biblical and Christian stories, is entitled, “Before I Formed You in the Womb.” When you look closely, you can see the faint image of a baby in mother’s body. Ron has placed the hand of Jesus on mother’s abdomen, unmistakably his hand with the hint of the nail print in his wrist. The shadow of his hand on mother’s body casts a cross and at the point of contact where the baby’s hand reaches to touch Jesus’ hand, DiCianni has placed a dazzling starburst. DiCianni’s artistry has entranced me for a long time. Mom wears no ring here which is the artist’s statement that regardless of how the child arrives it is a precious life.This is a fitting image at this Christmas season, and Ron tells a story that his mother was in an abortion clinic when she had second thoughts and walked out and within months gave birth to him.