Each summer Auburn, Indiana features an outdoor art exhibit. In March of 2011, twenty local artists were provided with the same basic easel to paint on. Each artist chose a subject that would represent the town of Auburn. The finished easels were displayed outdoors around the downtown from June to September. They were auctioned off at a dinner auction in September and half of the proceeds went to support the Downtown Auburn Business Association.
Here is the basic sketch. The subject I chose to represent were the Christian churches. The contemporary stylized cross is drawn with a lot of motion, indicative of the vibrant life that can be experienced in the hearts and minds of those who believe in Jesus. Descending from above in the form of a dove, is the Holy Spirit, who counsels each believer during their life on this earth.
Start of blocking in color. The colors are symbolic: Red for the blood of Jesus, Sky Blue for the waters of baptism, Grey and Dk Brown for the believer's sin, and Gold for the King of kings.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/2dccd8f139c720401533e23df825f922/683631aa06b0330e02935f64_rw_1920.jpg?h=f6e2ec3c0560007027e6b9a31628e3be)
More of the color work completed and rendering taking shape. The dark lines delineate the colorful shapes and give the painting a stained glass feel.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/2dccd8f139c720401533e23df825f922/3595f291521dddfc031a3a2a_rw_1920.jpg?h=090f7b5dd7057b359ab7d8f0499e0ef4)
Starting work on the back. I hand lettered a bible passage to support the artwork on the other side.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/2dccd8f139c720401533e23df825f922/8a318f4b7acc9a469f5939da_rw_1200.jpg?h=63c8ca505bb71031bce332ba9210a694)
The design will be contemporary generic stripes which visually support and guide the viewers eye as they read the bible passage.
I titled this piece–Living Water. This taken from John 4:10. There Jesus is talking with a woman at Jacob's well. He says to her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
^ WIth the design of the base I'm making reference to a spring of water. In John 4:13 Jesus again answers the woman, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." I also intended this part of the painting to represent the waters of baptism.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/2dccd8f139c720401533e23df825f922/b75575ad7ebaa2280b610fc0_rw_1920.jpg?h=d43af4ded5eeb25ef2f4d8dd555b37eb)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/2dccd8f139c720401533e23df825f922/246bdb9e964dc19bb9eef03b_rw_1920.jpg?h=b79d7a5934bd718d583303cc175f0a49)
The completed back of the easel.
The easel on location, downtown Auburn.