Artist bio

Sacred Illuminations is inspired by my Bulgarian roots, celebrating the Light of the Spirit and the sacred symbolism of medieval manuscripts, using gold paints and Swarovski crystals. Participation in 110 solo exhibits, art festivals and bazaars in the U.S. and worldwide, published in magazines and the music production of Arvo Part's Adam's Lament (the Hague). The catalog includes 400 titles.

Title

Victorious - The Spiritual Warrior

Medium/Genre

Mixed Media

Artist Statement

VICTORIOUS – THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR (The battle between virtue and the vices)

The Christian lives a life of constant spiritual struggle and passion to gain the fruits of the Spirit. This Spiritual Warrior is grounded firmly like a tree, with branches that end with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: gentleness, goodness, patience, peace, love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. I envision the spiritual battle spoken of in Ephesians as a battle between virtue and the vices, a continual fight for perfection and union with God.

In this picture, the head of the Spiritual Warrior lies in the middle of the Eye of God to remind us that God views the human soul as the pupil of His eye. The Holy Trinity is represented by the Omniscient Eye, the Dove being the Holy Spirit, and Christ represented as the Word of God - the two scrolls of Gospel, inscribed with the passage from Ephesians.

At the bottom of the picture burns the fire of the passions, the vices, and the sins: envy, anger, greed, pride, lust, gluttony, sloth, and others. Together, they form a chain that tie us down and deny us unity with God.

Instead of blaming the existence of evil, I choose to emphasize our responsibility to control our passions. Our sins result from our choosing the path of self-satisfaction and independence from God.

The armor of God, spoken of in Ephesians 6:10-20, protects the Spiritual Warrior against evils: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. The Gospel of Peace, depicted as the two scrolls, resembles the rivers of Living Water that quench the fires of passion and sin. The breastplate of righteousness displays a Cross made of the twelve precious stones from the breastplate of the Old Testament priest Aaron. The breastplate protects the heart, where the soul resides.

The Spiritual Warrior is victorious over the passions and achieves the fruits of the Spirit. He holds the cup of salvation of the precious Body and Blood of Christ, that heals and saves the soul. This Holy Communion unites us with Our Savior.

How it fits into contest

The Christian lives a life of constant spiritual struggle and passion to gain the fruits of the Spirit. This Spiritual Warrior is grounded firmly like a tree, with branches that end with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: gentleness, goodness, patience, peace, love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. I envision the spiritual battle spoken of in Ephesians 6:10-18 as a battle between virtue and the vices, a continual fight for perfection and union with God.

Credits

the artist

How to Purchase this Artwork

Victorious - $1750 by check

Other Goods & Services Available from this Artist

Reproductions with Swarovski crystals, based on the originals submitted

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