Artist bio

Im 32 years old and I have been a graphic designer for a number of years. While not formally educated, I was given an opportunity to develop my creativity through the use of software like Photoshop, Illustrator and others. What started as a hobby to let out my creativity in a way that I was capable (I was never good with a pencil or brush) I found with the tools best suited for my ability, I could let my thoughts, ideas, and dreams become visual. I've been happily married to the strength in my life (my wife) for almost 4 years now. She is a true testament to the wife of Proverbs 31. While having grown up in church, meeting her and having her in my life has really brought about a fundamental change from knowing about God, to really KNOWING God. Without God, and then immediately thereafter, my wife, I honestly don't believe I would still be on this earth, but that's a testimony for another time...

Title

Armor for Things Unseen

Medium/Genre

Mixed Media

Artist Statement

I orginally made part of the artwork for a poster that I had hung above my desk at work, reminding me every day that we are called specifically to action. He gave us His armor, but WE MUST IMPLEMENT IT. I used a couple of different tools to create the final piece for submission: a 3D rendering software for the "principalities", then used my graphic software to render them into a sketch. The Knight was stitched together from multiple photographs of armor, then everything was brought together.

How it fits into contest

We are constantly being bombarded by forces we don't necessarily see with our naked eye, but through the gift of discernment, we can understand that all opposition we face each and every day goes far beyond things we can touch or hear or see in the physical world. This is the reason that the "principalities" are kind of pulled back, just barely visible in the artwork, because while we can't really see what we struggle against, they are always there waiting to fire arrows of doubt, fear and discouragement. Besides the armor God gave us to protect us from attacks (because lets face it, the devil will do everything he can to keep us from living in the victory Jesus ensured we have), He gave us one offensive tool, "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." While most of the art is black and white, color emanates from the Word of God outward, shining it's truth on anything it's near.

Credits

Leondas Paul III
Jennifer Paul (My Wife) - She was my cheerleader. She encouraged me for weeks and weeks to enter the contest. I kept telling her I didn't think any of my art was good enough, but she continued to encourage me to make something, even if it was just for me.

Submit Your Artwork Today!

Curious? Interested in submitting artwork to our contest? Know someone who might be? Through April 14th, 2022, the Engage Art Contest is open to the whole world! Get your foot in the door by claiming your Artist Page now!