_The Pauline Letters_

The Pauline Letters
Oil on cradled canvas
6' x 4.5'

October 18 - November 16, 2021

There was no escaping a painting of Paul of Tarsus for Maryhill School of Theology. At least six units, including the New Testament, are included in the school’s curriculum. 

 

I used available photos of my artist friend Raul Deodato Arellano instead of hiring a model to pose for Paul. I have always visualized Paul as a Stars Wars Jedi sage like Obi-Wan Kenobi. The background was based on Silas’ and Paul’s actual prison cell in the Carcere Mamertino in Rome.  The sword is based on the official sword of Saint Paul as can be seen on his statue in the Vatican. Although we were taught in school that scholars are uncertain as to whether six of the 13 epistles can be attributed to Paul, I included all 13. For his halo I used the Tibetan lotus mandala, the lotus being a symbol of deep spirituality. In this painting the four gateways in the mandala represent not only the four cardinal directions but the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as well. The mandala is a reminder that Paul was inclusive of Asians, as Peter was exclusive of them.

 

The auditory stimulus I used while making this painting was https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVX80UpMPDI. Do listen to it while viewing the painting.