An unfinished work from early last year. It was a special request commission, a painting to represent Christ teaching the “Lilies of the Field” parable, for which I had to do extensive research on period clothing, and the plants, trees, and birds of the region. The “lilies” referred to were apparently of the Allium variety, and more like small star-shaped flowers in clusters of purple or white. It was a detail the commissioner was quite adamant about, as well as not showing Christ’s face.

I was fairly excited about finishing this commission, as it was to be a very large and challenging realism painting, but the commissioner vanished on me after the color/lighting proof stage, and I haven’t heard a word since last June. I’m really not sure what to think, and I don’t know what to do with this now, but I thought I’d post the preview. I do like how the colors and lighting came out, in any case. :)