artwork by: L. L. Effler
Revelation Artist
GALLERY 2
Original: Private Collector*
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Limited-Edition hand-embellished Canvas, or Print
"REAPING THE HARVEST" Matthew 13: 24-30, 36-42.
Artist interpretation: As written in scripture, a farmer had planted wheat, and while he slept his enemy had come and planted tares--weeds, among his wheat. The next day, the farm workers came and told him. When asked if the farmer would like them to pull the weeds from the wheat, he told them "no". The farmer told them to let the weeds grow with the wheat, and separation would come at harvest time. In this painting it is harvest time. The sunset represents end of day, the harvesting--end of season, symbolic of end of time. As we can see, the weeds and wheat have grown together, now at maturity, differences plainly show. The workers are angels--worker angels--gathering the weeds and burning them, and storing the wheat in safety. The angels have used sickles to separate the two. Looking at the three piles of weeds, we see the one in the background is burning and smoking, a second pile is being gathered, and a third has just started to burn. Angels are gathered around the third pile, with sad expressions they watch it begin to burn. As the farmer promised, others are carefully gathering and storing the precious wheat, safe from all destruction. The only witnesses, is a small dog and some sheep. In the center of this busy scene is a peaceful lamb, illuminated by the sun, it is symbolic of the Lamb of God to come!
Bible reference: Mark 16:15-16, Colossians 2:6-8, Colossians 3:12-17, 2Peter 2:1-2, 1John 3:8, Revelation 14:15
Original: Private Collector*
"LEAVENED BREAD" Matthew 13: 33
Artist interpretation: The Kingdom of God is like yeast that works its way through dough and causes it to rise, afterwards it is baked into bread. Likewise, in allowing God to permeate our lives he will cause us to rise, and fulfill our purpose in expanding His kingdom. Bread sustains life- so does the Kingdom of God. The woman in this painting is mixing, kneading, and baking bread. She is dressed appropriately for how and where she lives- a small home in the countryside of Israel. This is a common scene today as in biblical times. Her home is warmed by the fire in the stove, where she bakes her bread. We see she has added; leaven/yeast to the dough and put it out to raise. Afterwards it is baked in the oven and set out to cool. Baking is a weekly chore where she is kept company by her cat, warming near the fire. Other animals are drawn to her window by the smell of fresh baked bread. She acknowledges Christ by the cross she has hung on her wall.
Bible reference: John 3:30, Acts 16: 4-5, 1Corinthians 4:20
PRINTS NOT AVAILABLE*
"FIRST VISION" Zechariah 1: 7-11
Artist interpretation: The first vision of the prophet Zechariah. As stated in scripture, four angels of the Lord have been throughout the land, and have reported peace. In the foreground, on his red horse, gazing across the river is the mighty angel of the Lord. Behind the mighty angel are the three other riders. The riders are down in a valley amongst myrtle trees. It's evening and a long shadow is cast on the distant mountain range. If the viewer will carefully observe the mountains, he will see the cross of the Christ to come...leading his eye to the mighty angel of the Lord.
Bible references: Isaiah 14:7, Isaiah 40:27-31, Joshua 5:13, Lamentations 5:19-21, ICorinthians 2:9, Revelation 6:4
Original: Private Collector*
"WELCOME" Psalms 84: 1-4
Artist interpretation: This painting portrays that all are welcome in the temple of the living God---even the little birds! Birds are feeding on the stairs leading up into the temple. In the foreground around the altar, are common sparrows and swallows. Carved into the altar are dogwood blossoms, symbolic of Christ to come: the four petals represent the cross, red tipped--the blood he shed, his wounds, white color--his purity, the yellow crown-like center--His crown in glory. I grew up hearing this old tale, which goes on about how the dogwood tree was the straightest tree that had ever grown, so it was used for the cross of Jesus. After His crucifixion the pure white blossoms bloomed blood-stained, and this "straightest tree" grew bent and crooked, never again to be used as a cross! In this painting, the front temple column directs the viewers eye to a certain bird. The bird has been gathering twigs, building her nest below, in a hollowed-out area of one of the temple stones. In building her nest she has gathered many twigs, this time one in the shape of a cross...for all are welcome!
Bible reference: Jeremiah 31:25, Psalms 43:3-4 & 65:4, Matthew 11:28, John 7:37, Romans 10:11-13, Galatians 3:28-29
PRINTS NOT AVAILABLE
Original: Private Collector*
ORDER
Limited-Edition hand-embellished Canvas, or Print
"AND IT CAME TO PASS" Genesis 8: 6-11
Artist interpretation of scripture. God said it, and it came to pass...the rain, the flood, the destruction, protection, the rainbow, His promise. Here stands Noah, a man divinely instructed to build an ark, in which, he, his family, and animals of the earth, survived the flood planned by the Lord to rid the world of wickedness. Forty days after the rain stopped Noah opened a window, he sent out a raven which flew back and forth. He then sent a dove...the waters were still deep, the dove returned. Days later, Noah sent the dove again...the dove returned to him with greenery from a olive tree, the waters were beginning to go down. In this painting, Noah holds out his hand, he helps the dove back into the ark, the raven carefully watches the return. Above and below the window are little birds nesting safely, soon to be released out to their newly cleansed homeland. The viewers eye is directed to the center, where the raven, the dove and Noah's hand, form a triangle- symbolic of the Trinity. The Trinity: three in One- the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. The Trinity: present then, present now, ever present.
Bible reference: Genesis 6:5-14 &17, Genesis 7: 4 & 21-23, Matthew 28:19
"RELEASE" Psalms 62:8
Artist interpretation: This church is aglow with God’s presence. Brilliant gold, the color of revealed Truth, and orange illuminate the atmosphere with His glory. Gazing upward to the clouds we see hands extended, ready to receive all that is on our hearts. The Trinity is present depicted by the triangular roof: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- three equal parts joined into one.
This familiar-looking building represents “the Church”, also known as the Body of Christ: made up of the followers of Jesus Christ. Purposely placed over the steeple we see a cross, symbolic of Christ who is Head of “the Church”. When we come before God our hearts must be pure; therefore the church is painted white the color of purity. The Church is full of people praying, worshipping…with praise, thanksgiving, repentance and faith. Petitions of the people- as if birds caged within- are spoken, thus released. The birds, portraying prayers, are painted gray the color of humility…for this is what it takes for our prayers “to fly”: a humble heart. Upward they go, where our Father waits to hear from us.
In the deep green grass, a hare has paused…perhaps to rest in the safety of God’s presence. The hare, itself defenseless, is a symbol of people who put the hope of their salvation in Christ. This little creature is to remind us that without God we are defenseless in this world. The pathway leading to the open door serves as an invitation. God is waiting…come, release yourself to Him.
Bible references: Psalms 3:4, 6:9, 66:19-20, 141:1-2; Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 60:1; Matthew 5:44, 7:7, 9:38, 21:22, 28:19; Mark 11:24-25; 1Corinthians 14:14-15; 2Cor. 13:14; Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:18, 2:9-11; 1Thessalonians 5:17; 1Timothy 2:1; James 1:5-7, 4:3, 5:16; 1Peter 2:9, 3:12; 1John 5:14
Original paintings, hand-embellished Canvas Giclees, and open-edition prints available: click on PRICE LIST link below. Looking forward to hearing from you!