Artist bio

A lifelong artist and longtime North Carolinian, Julia Lawing synchronizes color, texture and brushstroke to capture the essence of a moment and evoke emotion. She began oil painting in 2014 and with that, she felt she had found her calling. Her paintings are most often impressionistic, gestural and life-giving, and have been called “extravagantly beautiful, spiritual and inspiring.” Julia’s work has been exhibited throughout North Carolina, is found in collections across the U.S., and is currently part of Charlotte’s cityscape through ArtPop Street Gallery (artpopstreetgallery.com) and the Kings Drive window displays at Metropolitan in uptown Charlotte.

Title

Sentry

Artist Statement

This is a depiction of an angel, one of the Lord’s heavenly hosts. I felt inspired to paint this after visiting the Met Cloisters, the branch of the Metropolitan Museum dedicated to the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe. While I paint a wide array of subjects including landscapes, architecture, and still lifes, my first love is figurative art. My subjects are not overtly Christian in nature; I seek to slip in my spiritual connection through titles or other subtleties, mainly just through displaying life in a positive manner, so this kind of subject was new for me but I have long wanted to paint something like this.

How it fits into contest

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” — Ephesians 6:12

Matthew Henry’s commentary on Ephesians 6:10-20 states: “Is not our life a warfare?...Is not our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war by which we are to govern ourselves....By the actings of faith, we must fetch in grace and help from heaven to enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot do, in our Christian work and warfare.”

As a worldly soldier would do, after putting on our spiritual armor, we can call out for backup. As Lord of hosts, God is willing and able to send supernatural help. In the spiritual battle, our help is His heavenly army of angelic warriors. As we wrestle in prayer and cry out, we can expect this to make a difference in the heavenly places where the real battle is taking place: amongst principalities, powers and rulers—the devil and all the powers of darkness—and the Lord’s armies of Heaven.

Credits

This painting was solely created by Julia Lawing. The photos of Julia were taken by Jamey Price, professional photographer.

How to Purchase this Artwork

Type of work: a unique original
Purchase price: $2400

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