Advent Artist Statement

When reflecting on the theme of this devotional, I was immediately struck by the word “flesh.” Its softness and vulnerability called to mind the image of a delicate flower—fragile, yet beautiful. This image captures the paradox of God’s immense power and choice to take on human form as a tiny, defenseless baby. Just as a flower, though fragile, holds within it great beauty and life, so too does the infant Christ embody both vulnerability and divine strength. In each of the paintings, you will notice the presence of a small red flower, which culminates in the poinsettia. This flower, with its distinctive shape, symbolizes both the Star of Bethlehem and the blood of Christ shed for us, reminding us that even in Christ’s vulnerability, Christ’s life and sacrifice bring redemption and new life.

In reading the verses for Peaceful and Wild, an image of a tree sprouting from rocky ruins immediately came to mind. Here, the flower depicted is an apple blossom, a subtle reminder of the original sin, the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.

For Hidden and Visible, I envisioned Moses raising his hand to shield his face from the glory of God’s presence, while a faint Blood Flower appears, alluding to the stigmata—the marks of Christ’s crucifixion in His hands.

In Humble and Powerful, I thought of the crown of thorns as a powerful symbol of both the nature of God’s kingdom and the ultimate humility of Christ, who endured mockery, torture, and crucifixion. The flower in this painting is a Crown of Thorns, representing the truth that, even in the darkest of times, God’s goodness remains steadfast.

For Anticipated and Surprising, the flower is a red crocus, referenced in Isaiah 35:1 I envisioned an eye, symbolizing our watchfulness for the second coming, while stars fall from the sky, tears flowing from the eye into an ocean. The eyelashes transform into tree branches, suggesting the deep connection between God’s creation and divine prophecy.

Finally, in Word Made Flesh, I sought to weave together elements from each of the previous works—the flower sprouting out from the manger like a tree, a bright light breaking through darkness, the spotlight around the manger echoing the one around the crown of thorns, and a starry sky, reminiscent of the eye’s vision of the coming of Christ.

About the Medium

All pieces are acrylic on canvas or canvas board.

- Louise Adillon