Client: Covenant Presbyterian Church

Overview

I was commissioned to create a visual reflection of Genesis 1:1-8 for the gathering space in Covenant Presbyterian Church.

“Let There Be Light” is a 5×8’ triptych painting made with acrylic paint and sand from the River Jordan on floating wood panel.

Goals

My goal was to translate the scripture they provided into an abstract painting that spoke to them and worked well in their new gathering space.

Artist Statement: “Let There Be Light”

“Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light,” Genesis 1:3.

While painting “Let There Be Light,” I was reflecting on Genesis 1:1-8. The dark areas symbolize “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep.” The metallic gold spiral with heavy texture and gestural brush strokes convey “a wind from God.” Throughout time, artists have used gold to symbolize divinity. “Let there be light” is translated as an explosion of light.

Process

I worked closely with their art committee. They sent architectural plans and paint samples. To harmonize with the sacred space, I used their interior design color palette within the painting. Along the way, I provided a design rough and photographs of the painting for their approval. We worked long distance, from Texas to Montana, through email.

"It was divine providence for our church to discover Linda's luminous paintings! From our initial contact with her, I felt very comfortable with Linda's professionalism and desire to ensure that the final painting would match our vision. Her completed piece has blessed us with a vibrant representation of God's Word and a new - and highly personal - way to consider how God speaks to us through all aspects of His creation,” Elaine Peterson, Covenant Presbyterian Church.