Artist

Nimeka Drakes

Artist bio

The desire to become or achieve that which we believe is crucial to our self preservation and discovery can sometimes motivate us far more than anything else can. My love for the Visual Arts and children has been the catalyst responsible for my career choice. For the last 12 years, I've served as a Visual Art and Educator. During this time, I've displayed work in several galleries. I've had the opportunity to work alongside world renown artists, Gordon Vivian de La Mothe O.B.E, Jason deCaires Taylor and Wyland. My work has been showcased at several establishments including, the Maurice Bishop International Airport under the Ministry of Tourism, the Grenada National Museum, art shows organized by the Grenada Arts Council and also at the Underwater Sculpture Park, Molinere, St. George, Grenada. My preferred media includes acrylic, oil, watercolour and occasionally, digital media. The dominant theme of my artworks has stemmed from my love and reverence for the ALMIGHTY as I always seek to introduce HIM to a ravaged world through my art.

Title

Army RIsing

Medium/Genre

Digital Art

Artist Statement

All of the work that I've completed over the past 8 years have reflected the principles found in the Holy WORD.
For this piece, I looked at it from the perspective of the Church taking its rightful position in the earth as GOD has intended and named it 'Army Rising.'
I created a collage based on personal experiences as they tied in to Ephesians 6:10-20 and related verses.

How it fits into contest

As the earth sits suspended by the hand and WORD of GOD, the setting of this piece depicts the battle unleashed on the Royal Priesthood assembled by the CAPTAIN of the Army of the LORD’s HOST; playing out in both the heavens and the earth.
Silhouettes of soldiers in the Royal Army are scattered across the face of this piece; each stance portraying one piece of the holy armor.
Their waists are girded with truth as they bear the posture of a vigilant soldier in battle. The breastplate of righteousness wraps their torso, guarding every vital organ formed for the functioning of the body of CHRIST. As their boots hit the ground and the dust rises, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace carries HIS WORD into every domain.
The soldiers depicted in the middle-ground cradles a scene that has played out so often in the lives of believers from the sands of time; the enemy unleashes terror from his arsenal and in the midst of battle a soldier becomes temporarily incapacitated. Having the shield of faith, interlocked with each other, quenching the fiery darts of the enemy, towering over hurdles, being fueled by each other’s strength; one brother carries another.
The helmet of Salvation braces the mind of the believer as the battle rages. Words from the HOLY text rests in the foreground as a chain sits broken, reminding the believer to go forth wielding the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD.
A canopy blankets the sky as angelic reinforcements as lightning are released from the heavenlies at the word of our SOVEREIGN ruler. The eagle: a celestial being, immaculately descends, extending its wingspan representing the strength of GOD’s mighty right hand.
The enemy is no respecter of persons. The future of the Church is embodied in the child placed in the middle-ground whose shed tears call into focus the need for GOD’s people to stand.
Many images capture the most powerful stance of an army; positioned in prayer on our knees. Doing all that we can to stand.
It is imperative that we know and understand that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strongholds…an Army Rising!

Credits

Nimeka Drakes: Created this entire piece

How to Purchase this Artwork

Price negotiable

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