"This painting was unique from its very beginning. It would be great if I could take credit for the composition and message it conveys but in my mind, that would be like Moses taking credit for bringing water from the stone in the desert.
"Usually when I have an idea for a painting it starts as a simple seed and it grows as I play with the image in my mind, moving the characters around, imagining the lights and shadows, the values and the colors, eventually deciding on its composition after what might be weeks or even months of pondering and sketches, but this painting was different. There was no seed, no moving of characters, it was totally different.
"I was sitting in church on a Sunday afternoon as the Sacrament was being passed and bang, there it was, the image was instantaneously placed before my mind’s eye just as you see it here. This experience has happened to me only three times and it has been very special each time."
These are a few of the paintings Doc is currently working on. In the upper left is a preliminary sketch of the beginnings of a painting which was suggested by Les Griffith of a group of scriptures in the book of James wherein the Savior compares himself to the vine and compares his Apostles to the branches and speaks of the fruit they can bring forth.
The painting in the upper right is entitled "Line of Authority" suggesting that the love and concern of parents is also shared by the Savior.
In the lower left is a preliminary color work up of a painting entitled "Leap of Faith". There is much yet to be done with this composition though.
Finally, this last color sketch is of a scene with no direct religious message, It is just something I wanted to paint.
As Doc explores new ideas for paintings we will share them with you here prior to their completion so you will be able to see them and know when prints of them will become available for purchase.
