The Meaning

“Song of Songs Sketches” was the foundational work I laid down on paper and cardboard over twenty years ago, which I did with a set of colored pens and markers which were mostly inspired by the book “Song of Songs” from the Old Testament.

Symbolism

Also, I learned how to include symbolism in my sketches and illustrations, which helped communicate a deeper meaning of what influenced me at the time. Today, I still use symbols to convey the application of spirituality in my life, and attempt to communicate the same to those around me.

In The Garden

I recognize one sketch from Matthew 26:36-46 where Jesus goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Scriptures like this were often related back to the Song of Songs which compared the passion of the king persuing his bride to how Christ is so passionate to die for humanity.

Quite often, I wrote notes around the sketches to express what the scripture meant to me personally, despite what religious leadership told me it meant (which seemed to always point back to themselves to build and support their ministry, rather than to help those around them).

The Process

I had been sketching with pencil for a while, but seldom with colored pens and markers, so this was a new beginning for me.

Like a River

Creativity from within started to flow out of me like a river. I sketched a mountaintop with a flow of water coming down on a city on fire which references the sea of glass mingled with fire from the book of Revelation.

Experimental Stage

These sketches helped me develop an original style, although they were very raw and undefined at times.

The most important thing I did to continue to develop my own style was to not worry about making mistakes with my lack of experience, and to follow through on the visions and feelings that came from within. For example, a couple of years later I painted “River of Fire” which shows a bright, colorful, hot-and-cold style.