the FIRST and the LAST

This semester. My last semester as an undergrad - is technically the perfect semester of wonder and glory! Fracturing my foot was a setback, I got off to a bit of a frustrated and rocky start, but life is finally starting to smooth out. I am off the crutches...thus am able to carry things, walk up stairs (slowly), and move around in general without relying on my arms for support. 

The foot isn't healed completely, but it is on its way. 

I am taking a relief printing course this semester with Tim Frerichs. Our second assignment required us to appropriate imagery from an historical black and white, wood carved print. I gathered inspiration from the work of Albrecht Durer - more specifically his work St. John Beholding the Seven Candelabra. This piece is an illustration of the passage in Revelation describing John's vision.    

Here are some images of the beginning stages of my piece. (My first wood carving!)

 I carved into an 8 x 10 block of poplar using Speed Ball lino cutting tools. 
AND made a big splintery mess! Woops!

 











Above is a proof of the final carving. I entitled it The First and the Last, because in the Biblical passage that is being referenced Jesus tells John not to be afraid because He is "the first and the last." It is an important reassurance of the unmoving presence of God.