The Meaning
“Shelter in the Life” is a sequel to “Dancing Leaves,” but the Tree of Life is used differently, although it uses the same symbology for the three-ring trinity on the dove.
Moving Humanity
At the very top center right, there is a flaming dove with a rose in its mouth to express the beauty of God’s Spirit when it comes down from heaven and moves a human being to respond to Him. The dove also has a three-ring symbol to reveal the mystery of The Trinity.
Great Anticipation
A female angel responds by holding up a rose she entwines within her wings of gold and fire to reveal the beauty she’s experiencing. Right below her is her twin brother who sings with joy along with her in great anticipation of how his Master draws human souls to him.
Willing to Fight
To the left of the dove is a warrior angel showing how willing God is to fight for the redemption of a dying human soul.
In the Life
The tree represents the Tree of Life under the authority of Christ who mysteriously appears out of the black smoke on the bottom right corner. The new and redeemed Adam and Eve are on both side of the tree eating the fruit of His life for them without worrying about the temptation of the Devil alluring them away from God because they have believed and received His eternal love and sacrifice for them.
Under the New
The large angel spreads out his wings of fire over the Tree of Life to protect those under the new covenant of the blood of the Son (expressed by the red color throughout the branches).
The Mystery
The man and women stand on “a glass sea mixed with fire” (Revelation 15:2) coming out of the smoke which indicate the mystery of how or why He changes humans.
The Process
The fire on the angels’ wings and the blended, less defined fire in the background behind the man and woman, express spiritual transformation for them, which I have used in the same way in many different pieces over the years. Twenty years later, I’m still trying to portray the mystery of transformation in a more personal way, to myself and others.
Left Untouched
There are places that were left untouched (in white) and is the original color of the canvas.
Blended Clouds
The blue and black clouds were blended with white acrylic paint in the top left behind the warrior angel.