Pentecost 2021 Painting: Tongues of Fire

In this post I’m sharing the process I went through to create my Pentecost painting, Tongues of Fire.

Pentecost falls on Sunday, May 23rd this year.

Here I began with a photo.

The following passage provides the imagery for this painting.

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind…Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.”

Acts 2:1-4
Sketch on Basswood of mouth/tongue and flames.

Images can transcend language, and take discernment to see and understand. I had to seek out my understanding of this Biblical miracle, using the imagery of the scripture, even as I created the painting.

Here I have carved the mouth/tongue into the basswood and inked the painting. The next step is to paint the poetic Biblical language of tongues of fire.

What does it mean, today, to be touched by the Spirit?

“I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh…”

Acts 2:17

In my thoughts during the creation of Tongues of Fire, I sought out the meaning of this painting, and what Pentecost means for me. The miracle is that each of us has the Divine Spirit within us. The Pentecost story is a sensual connection to the Spirit; hearing an awesome and vibrant God speaking in all tongues for all people.

Perhaps, in your quiet moments, you might hear God’s still speaking voice within you.

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