Advent Artist Statement

In each piece, I wanted to create a visual representation of the significance of individual words that are dreamed about in this devotional. In the first three paintings, I incorporated the image of a butterfly, as I believe it symbolizes how we can be perceived as beings that God protects, nurtures, and allows to flourish.

As I approached the final two paintings, I found myself struggling to decide on a direction. Ultimately, I decided to concentrate on the themes of light and lines, which convey the emotion and strength that God provides. By this point, I felt bored with watercolors and wanted to explore new mediums. Earlier in the year, during a visit to my grandparents’ home, I was gifted my great-grandfather’s oil pastels. Inspired by this, I began to doodle and created a form resembling a heart. I used colors similar to those in my initial doodle to complete the heart and later added additional elements.

Having completed the heart, I appreciated how the lines guided the viewer’s gaze inward toward the cross at the center of the artwork while also extending beyond the page. This visual effect motivated me to continue with this approach for my final piece. I envisioned an angel to represent the story of the angels announcing Jesus's birth to the shepherds; however, to maintain an animal theme, I chose to depict the angel as a bird-like figure.

Even though this description shows what I meant when creating the art, my intentions when making art are never rigid. My favorite part of art as a whole is the thousands of ways it can be interpreted. So when viewing my artwork, don't be confined to just my perspective. Look for more than I even recognized, and relate it to your own life.

About the Medium

Watercolor on cold-pressed paper, oil pastels on black cardstock, and gold highlights added with acrylic paint.

- Charis Long