The Signs and Symbols / Where were you when the morning stars sang and shouted for joy?
Title: "The Signs and Symbols / Where were you when the morning stars sang and shouted for joy?" (2022)
Size: 40x40"
Acrylic ink dyed kozo collage, mica powder, white and yellow gold, swarovski crystal, czech glass on canvas
From "O Mirabile Mysterium," my body of work illuminating Genesis 1. This work explores Day Four of Creation, when the sun, moon, and stars were appointed as 'co-rulers' of the heavens.
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Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and they shall serve as signs and for seasons, and for days and years; and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also. God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. –Genesis 1:14-19 (NASB)
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?...
When the morning stars sang together
And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 38: 4, 7 (NASB)
The heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their expanse declares the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Which is like a groom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices like a strong person to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
–Psalm 19:1-6 (NASB)
No longer will you have the sun for light by day,
Nor will the moon give you light for brightness;
But you will have the Lord as an everlasting light,
And your God as your glory.
Your sun will no longer set,
Nor will your moon wane;
For you will have the Lord as an everlasting light,
And the days of your mourning will be over.
–Isaiah 60:19-2 (NASB)
Oh God of Stars, in your luminosity you brought forth galaxies and gas giants, suns and supernovae, the moon and the milky way. You must have known their heavenly bodies would dazzle us into futile worship of their beauty. You made them anyway, symbols of your glory—I wonder at the mystery of such a brilliant body that reveals only a sliver of your majesty. Like mirrors in the dome of the heavens, your stars reflect glimmers of your ancient light from billions of years across the cosmos. Their light reminds me that vast wastelands never daunt you, and no amount of time can tarnish your splendor.
In the imagination of my ancient brothers and sisters, the stars were part of your heavenly council, stewards of time’s order. To them, these heavenly bodies weren’t distant gods; they were God’s creatures, clothed in light. I watch them change according to the season, Orion marching his bow across the southwestern sky until he disappears in Spring, only to reappear in Autumn. Such observations remind me that the invariable index of my creaturehood always inches me forward to meet an end that dips below the horizon, somewhere out of sight. Father, you are the Lord of Time and all my ends. Help me to trust in you as the seasons change.
Your sun and moon keep me tethered to the smaller moments, the here and now. The moon’s gentle luster is just a reflection of the sun’s promised light, a prelude to resurrection. Like a flower, I turn toward the sun’s newborn light each morning. I marvel at Isaiah’s promise that there will come a day when the sun will be no more. The limits of my imagination make such a promise foreboding—Oh Lord, help my unbelief! But what need will there be for such a symbol in that day when your Son turns his face toward us?
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All artwork is signed on the back. Can be signed on the front at collector's request.
Keep in mind that paintings can look slightly different in person. I paint using a lot of texture, so they are even better when you can see them in person - it is hard to capture here!
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COPYRIGHT
Artwork is protected by copyright. All images displayed are property of Kelly Kruse. The sale of original artwork does not include the sale of copyright, including rights to reproduce or license imagery. All rights reserved.
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SHIPPING & HANDLING
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