“Joseph’s Dreams” Chosen Advent Image 2022
I am honored to share that my original painting, “Joseph’s Dreams” is featured in the UHill Christian Calendar.
Earlier this year, I learned that the Liturgical themes for the next calendar year included Joseph’s Dreams. I knew immediately that this was the theme I wanted to paint. I had made a promise to St. Joseph (till now unkept) to do a painting of him. Even if not chosen, I would at least have fulfilled that obligation.
After contemplating the Biblical scriptures below for several weeks, I came up with a seed of a concept. I sketched the sleeping St. Joseph from my imagination. In the final week, I worked daily on the painting, taking time to reflect. I could not rush it and was not finished when I submitted…moments before the deadline. I hoped and prayed that the judges would see potential, and perhaps like my interpretation. A few months later, I was pleasantly surprised to learn this is exactly what happened.
I meditated on the following Biblical Scriptures:
Matthew 1:20, 21, 24, 25
“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins’….When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And (Joseph) gave him the name Jesus.”
Matthew 2:13-15
“And when they (the Magi) were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, ‘Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.’ When he arose, (Joseph) took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod .”
Matthew 2:19-21
“When Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt saying. ‘Arise and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead who sought the young child’s life.’ And (Joseph) arose and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of Israel.”
Since St. Joseph had three dreams in three different place, I decided to use three canvases, thus a triptych. St. Joseph received the Messages of the Lord through angels, while he was asleep. Therefore, I highlighted the fact that he was in a deep slumber through the triptych. White curtains represent the angel draping down on him, like the “Hand of God” blessing him. The message content are indicated in the windows.
The Uhill Christian Calendar is a powerful tool for evangelization. What better gift for family and friends who are lukewarm, have gone astray, or on their way back to following the Lord.
If you are interested in this painting, or other similar paintings by this artist, go to Biblical Art