A Lump of Coal

A Lump of Coal

Working on a series of paintings today, I realized that the theme was the story of Christmas, and more broadly, that of mankind. I had painted a similar series in 2014, but am excited to be finding new techniques and language to express the same things.

According to some stories, naughty children used to receive coal for Christmas. I tried (briefly) to look up this lore, and found that the legendary gift giver of Holland, Sinterklass (built around the image of St. Nicholas, 270-343) is said to give gifts to nice children, and his counterpart, Black Pete gives black lumps of coal to the naughty ones. Wouldn't it be interesting to learn more of this tradition?

The first painting in the series is depicting man's hopelessness and load of sin. I chose to use black as my main color, and an unbalanced composition to show the feeling of weight and menace. The overpowering heaviness of the textured black brings the eye to the focal point where iridescent gold represents GOD.  

Part of the Wordless Book piece

5 each  7" x 5" paintings mounted and framed

Painted with the finest quality heavy-body acrylic paint on acid-free, heavy weight Fabriano watercolor paper

Click here to view on my website.

As has been the case in other years, part of what is impacting my Christmas celebration this year is the reality of the darkness that requires a Savior. 2020 has been a year of struggle for almost everyone, and it has just brought the darkness to the forefront more and more. And the problem isn't the virus or a particular politician, but it is sin in each person. The New Testament passage Romans 3:10 says As it is written: “There is no righteous person, not even one;"

So while a lump of coal is a playful Christmas tradition that recognizes misdeeds of some, I think we all know (deep down) that we are 'naughty children' who need the gift God offers us - salvation through Jesus Christ. I invite you to follow this short series of paintings for the next few days as I consider Christmas and God's greatest gift!