Artist bio

I grew up in the Midwest, where I live now with my husband and four children. We created our family through adoption and the majority of my work primarily is a celebration of adoption. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. Ambrose University with a Bachelor of Arts in both Painting and Art History. I work in oil paint on wooden panels.

Title

Not Against Flesh and Blood

Medium/Genre

Painting

Artist Statement

The figure in the work is my daughter Anna. Our family was created through adoption and my work contains themes about the inherent value and preciousness of all people. You realize even more so when you adopt that love is what binds us, more visceral than biology, and more powerful than any obstacle that you have to overcome to become a family. The linear themes in the work are about "becoming." You begin a painting with a drawing and flesh out the work. My work is left is various states of intentionally unfinished because we are always in the process of growing in our relationships.

How it fits into contest

I'm writing this on a frustrating day trying to meet this deadline and I realize that I often fall short of the call to love and the battle against evil in my own heart. Thankfully God doesn't give up on any of us. I wanted the work to show that we fight evil in an unexpected way. "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." We see imagery of wars and battles, Rev (12:7-9) and contrasting imagery of a slain lamb (Rev 5) and martyred saints (Rev 6) How do we fight this battle? We submit our hearts to the spirit of God to transform ourselves. The abstracted heart hovers and twists like a dragon around the figure who dress is symbolically made of the blood of Christ. The heart needs to be transformed so we can take part in helping others on the same journey. We fight spiritual battles with sacrificial, persevering, and redemptive love.

Credits

I painted the work The model in the art is my nine year old daughter Anna. I believe all of my work is created through the help of the great artist, Creator God and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

How to Purchase this Artwork

Original work is available for purchase for $500. Giclee prints will become available for $25 plus shipping and handling at https://www.llrichter.com/ or contact me via FB https://www.facebook.com/LLRichterArt/

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