Making of “Resurrection Courage”

Click Link Above to view In Process Video

“Resurrection Courage” is the theme of the Zoe Freedom Center 2022 fund raising Gala.  I have the honor of creating a painting based on this theme and finishing it live during the Gala for the benefit of the Center.  The process started in mid-April, culminating at the Gala, 11 May.

The process began with journaling, prayer, and searching scripture as the idea developed.  With only 2.5 hours to paint live during the Gala, significant development of the painting occurred in advance.

Elements of the Painting:  This painting has four major elements to express the “Resurrection Courage” theme:

1)  The Lion of Judah – Represents our victorious savior, Jesus Christ.

2)  The Human (Arm & Hand grasping the lion’s mane) – Represents our utter dependence on and need to follow our savior to overcome the challenges of this life here on earth.  We must reach out to Him for help, He is waiting to be invited to respond.

3)  The “Challenge” (Chains & Broken Sword) – Represents the bondage, barriers, and sin we gain freedom from and are victorious over WITH our savior’s power and authority.

4)  The Background (Cross and Empty Tomb) – Provides the context of the crucifixion and the resurrection of our savior as evidence of God’s supernatural power and authority over ALL.

These images show the major progression steps in the development process PRIOR to the actual Gala and finalizing live during the event:

 

Robyn Ryan's "Resurrection Courage" Concept Study

Resurrection Courage WIP – 8″x8″ Concept Study

 

Robyn Ryan's "Resurrection Courage" painting - drawing on panel

Resurrection Courage WIP – Drawing on Panel

 

Robyn Ryan's "Resurrection Courage" WIP - Initial Color Blocking

Resurrection Courage WIP – Initial Color Blocking

 

Robyn Ryan's "Resurrection Courage" WIP - Background

Resurrection Courage WIP – Background

 

Robyn Ryan's "Resurrection Courage" WIP - Incorporated Scripture

Resurrection Courage WIP – Incorporated Scripture

 

The evolution of the ideas and the actual painting up to this point of the pre-Gala painting development are documented in a short video.  Click the ‘Making of “Resurrection Courage”‘ link below to view!

Making of “Resurrection Courage”

 

Stay tuned for highlights from the Gala and images of the final painting!

 

Here is the Artist Statement for “Resurrection Courage” describing the inspirations and ideas that went into its development:

 

Artist Statement

“Resurrection Courage”

 

“Resurrection Courage” is the theme of the Zoe Freedom Center 2022 Gala.  I have the honor of creating a painting based on this theme and finishing it live during the Gala for the benefit of the Center.  The process started in mid-April, culminating at the Gala, 11 May.

The process began with journaling, prayer, and searching scripture as the idea developed.  With only 2.5 hours to paint live during the Gala, significant development of the painting occurred in advance.

Key thoughts and ponderings inspiring this 30” x 30” Acrylic painting are summarized below.  My hope is pulling back the curtain to this aspect of creating this piece will add to your enjoyment and enrichment as well as its impact on your own heart and mind.

 

First Things First – The Word Study:  Looking up literal definitions and adding my interpretation created a basis for designing the painting.  Scriptural word searches also helped provide a solid foundation for developing the ideas.  Here are the distilled thoughts based on the painting title “Resurrection Courage” (more on the included scripture later!):

Resurrection:

  • (initial capital letter) the rising of Christ after His death and burial.
  • (initial capital letter) the rising of the dead on Judgment Day.
  •  Bringing dead dreams, dead capabilities, dead hopes to life again…
  • Reviving what we thought was forever lost to us due to our failings, our mistakes, our sin…

Courage:

  • The quality of being ready and willing to face negative and difficult situations and tasks involving danger, pain, or discomfort.
  • Being courageous is often thought of as facing such situations without fear.  A courageous person might not be fearless, but they face the dangerous, difficult, or frightening situation anyway.
  • GOD IS THE MULTIPLIER of our courage both in infusing us with more courage than we could possibly muster on our own because we are confident, HE (The Lion of Judah) is FOR and WITH us so who can successfully be against us!
  • Courage helps us when FACING something or LETTING GO of something…

 

Elements of the Painting:  This painting has four major elements to express the “Resurrection Courage” theme:

1)  The Lion of Judah – Represents our victorious savior, Jesus Christ.

2)  The Human (Arm & Hand grasping the lion’s mane) – Represents our utter dependence on and need to follow our savior to overcome the challenges of this life here on earth.  We must reach out to Him for help, He is waiting to be invited to respond.

3)  The “Challenge” (Chains & Broken Sword) – Represents the bondage, barriers, and sin we gain freedom from and are victorious over WITH our savior’s power and authority.

4)  The Background (Cross and Empty Tomb) – Provides the context of the crucifixion and the resurrection of our savior as evidence of God’s supernatural power and authority over ALL.

 

What this Painting Means to Me:  As we die to our old worldly driven selves and are resurrected to new life with our Savior we are continually transformed.  Daily we must die to our self-ness and rededicate ourselves to love and serve GOD and each other.  As I’ve progressed in my own walk with Jesus, like a spiral, he revisits all areas of my life…  He helps me face, step by step, those areas where change or growth is needed, bringing dead dreams back to life in the context of living them out WITH Him.

WITH Jesus, we can move forward, facing the challenges and threats before us with supernatural courage. Our limited human courage is multiplied by our victorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, because He goes before us to clear the way.  He stays beside us to encourage and guide us as we step forward, and He stands behind us to defend us from attack.  Though we stumble along the way we will not fall as He leads us to glory and victory.

 

Incorporated Scripture:

58 verses associated with “Resurrection Courage” were identified related keywords including Resurrection, Courage, Victory, Freedom, Sword, and Lion of Judah which I then culled down to the 20 which were incorporated into the painting.  Each verse was mapped to the element of the painting it best related to:   the background, the lion, the arm, the sword, and the chains.  Here are the verses you will find incorporated into each element of the painting:

 

 Background:

  • Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” ~ Revelation 5:5
  • Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” ~ Luke 18:27
  •  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57
  • Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ~ 1 Peter 1:3
  • Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Do not be burdened again. This is the promise we stand on. – Galatians 5:1

 

The Lion:

  • Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9
  • Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
  • For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” ~ Deuteronomy 20:4
  • The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. ~ Psalms 118:7
  • The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. ~ Proverbs 28:1

 

The Arm:

  • Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” ~ Isaiah 12:2
  • You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ~ Psalms 23:5
  • I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

The Sword:

  • “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:55
  • You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. ~ 2 Samuel 22:40
  • I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’” ~ Jeremiah 39:18

 

The Chains:

  • With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies. ~ Psalms 60:12
  • for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4
  • If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ~ Daniel 3:17
  • I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. ~ Psalms 30:1

 

This has been a fantastic opportunity and experience to express my interpretation of the “Resurrection Courage” theme for the 2022 Zoe Freedom Center Gala.  My hope is this painting moves, inspires, and delights you as it also brings resources to the wonderful mission of the Center!

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