Here's what I'm calling the finished piece for now. I need to focus on a way of framing it.

Here's the progress of a piece I started earlier this week.
The idea began with God's Law and it's purpose. I've been reading and understanding how God's Law was never intended to be a measure of our acceptance to God, but an way of seeing and understanding what is important to God. The more we understand God's Law is directly related to understanding His character. One night, last week, before going to bed I asked God how to portray His Law in a work of art. In response I heard, "The Law is like a map." Depending on the direction and path we choose we can trace our destination and consequences of our choices. After talking with a trusted friend about this they pointed out that it's pretty silly to get mad at a map if you make a wrong turn. But you can go back to the map and trace your wrong turn to find the correct turn. God's rules were never meant to hurt us but protect us and lead us into a closer relationship with God. God's rules are an expression of His character. Next, I imagined a map with land and water labeled with aspects of God's character. A topographic map and when you look at this map from a larger perspective you could see a smiling face. I was sold on the concept but nervous about putting this concept into physical form. A photo session with Matt Armstrong's grandfather and some research on topographic maps led to this point. I'll begin labeling areas and rivers today and hopefully develop a compass too. My goal is to see a map first and then a face. Anyone I've shown who doesn't know the concept sees that map first so I think I'm on the right track.

Who: Artist Craig Hawkins

What: A one man show of 50 Drawings by Craig Hawkins

Where: Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, 527 North Patterson St., Valdosta, GA

When: July 30th - September 17th ( Opening July 30th 5PM -7PM)

How: I've been saving my daily drawings to prepare for this show and now I'm going to sell them super cheap ($150 each) to get them out of my studio and hopefully develop a larger mailing list for future shows.

Link: 50 DRAWINGS

Purchase: You can purchase any drawing(s) by visiting the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts or finding the art you desire to purchase on my link and calling the Arts Center to place your order. Call 229-247-ARTS

When God speaks things happen. At least a month ago I was reading Genesis and became stuck on day 5 of creation. Since a voice is invisible to the eye, I thought about what it would be like to see something seemingly come out of nothing. How could a sound wave mimic an ocean wave, a whisper like a gentle breeze over the water. Fish falling out of the sky and birds emerging from water as a result. Or maybe simultaneously appearing from the horizon line, the surface of a whisper. My mind immediately went to an MC Escher print I've seen before and I used it as a starting point. Here's the end result.