This painting depicts a black raven carrying a red ribbon, in front of an abstract white background with scripture from Jude 1:12-13 forming the foundation of the painting.
Jude 1:12-13
[12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

My paintings are intended to create a glimpse into another place of possibilities and loveliness, kindness and simple glory. The animals, people and places in them are front and center in this world. I paint them with lush brushstrokes and pay particular attention to the eyes, which we have all heard are a window to the soul. Bible verses are incorporated into the foundation of the paintings as a symbol of the spiritual realm. Just as God spoke the world into existence and holds all things together, his word acts as a basis for all that exists. Multiple layers of color and texture give the painting a history and create an abstract background for the figure.

This piece was one of the major pieces in my solo show A Wing And A Prayer, in February 2020 at the Faulkner Gallery East in Santa Barbara, CA. The series of 21 paintings featured in this show represented birds and scripture, similar to this painting.

The focal point of this painting is the red ribbon in the beak of the raven, which represents truth. As believers we are instructed to stand firm with the belt of truth as one of our key pieces of spiritual armor, which Ephesians 6:14 refers to.

The raven can represent a deceiver who wraps his lies in a shred of truth, or a deliverer of truth, just as the ravens served Elijah by feeding him by the brook Cherith. Either way it serves as a reminder to be aware of the truth in our daily lives as we persevere in the battle. We are not to live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God. Since Jesus is the Word of God become flesh as well as the way, the truth and the life, I believe incorporating God’s word into my paintings is a way to bring a physical reminder to the viewer of His presence as well as His truth. I believe this work speaks directly to the topic of Spiritual Battle, a physical image of a spiritual moment in the battle.

Allison Gobbell - painter
Holy Spirit - inspiration
God’s Word - source

Original Oil Painting on Canvas 36”x36”x2”
$1200
Available at allisongobbell.com

Original Oil Paintings at allisongobbell.com
Prints at https://fineartamerica.com/art/allison+gobbell