Imagekind Gallery Hymnscript

Crown Him with Many Crowns

To me, the language of this hymn is exquisite. If words could truly illuminate the depth of this hymn's exaltation, "Crown Him with Many Crowns" might be the champion of the hymnal. This work uses a chorus of type amidst a royal robe of color to capture a spirit of praise to the Lord of love, the Lord of peace, and the Lord of years. Amen!

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

The traditional Welsh melody of "Immortal, Invisible" reminds me of cycling ocean tides as well as the eternal nature of God's character. In this work, I let the type carry the hymn's undulating tune, and its vivid colors witness--as much as possible--the spectrum of His love and wisdom.

Nothing but the Blood

The shape of the typography in this work came about because of the way the lyrics wove together--in my mind, like a circular square: an endless completeness to it like a circle, but with solid, square corners as a strong foundation. The rough-edged and abstract center cross is inspired by Isaiah 53:5, "...and with his stripes we are healed," and is constructed from a weaving of colors representing the spectrum of the human race for whom He died, of which the individual threads are our names, written in His Book of Life.

And Can It Be That I Should Gain

The challenge of "And Can It Be" was to portray a boldness yet not a boasting, a marveling but yet a certainty, about our salvation by grace. In color, texture, and type, this work seeks to illustrate this gift, which transcends borders, cultures, and generations and is free for all to accept.

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

This hymn's essential calls to worship are so vivid: "Bring forth the royal diadem"; "hail him who saves you by his grace"; "go, spread your trophies at his feet"; "to him all majesty ascribe"; "join the everlasting song." This work's abstract petal-like backdrop was painted to evoke a responsive movement of adoration toward the lyric's portrait of the splendor and power of Jesus' name.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

This work is a plaintive cry for God's guidance amidst the din and distractions of our world. The canvas of "Guide Me" continues a signature motif of my work: the "working" side of the tapestry our life has woven, which to us appears mottled and random, but the Lord sees completed on the "finished" side.

Fairest Lord Jesus (Thee Will I Cherish)

The stained-glass landscape of this three-paneled series intentionally--if none-too-subtly--recalls the chapel where I spent many summer mornings as a kid at Vacation Bible School. "Fairest Lord Jesus" is one of many hymns I learned there, and boy, I had these verses down pat. It wasn't until years later that appreciated this hymn's symphonic-like march of a melody that gently imparts a majestic reverence to its lyrics.

Fairest Lord Jesus (Jesus Is Fairer)

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

A brash, disturbing cross is the backdrop for "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," but its focus is the lyric, "See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down: did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?" Perhaps no other single verse in my life's hymnal affects me as profoundly as this one. Its words overwhelm me with an enormous sense of humility because I cannot fully fathom the depth and width and breadth of Christ's love for me: "Love so amazing, so divine."

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Transgression)

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Transgression)" focuses on one part of this hymn's lyric that literally takes my breath away. Here is the weight of our human floundering and the depth and darkness of our transgressions. But here also is emerging light through the darkness: Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for us when we come to Him, admitting, "Mine, mine was the transgression, but thine the deadly pain."

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded (Thine Forever)

What does atonement look like? Is it ugly? Is it beautiful? Is it sharp or blurry? Does it have color? Texture? As the lyrics of "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" describe our response to Christ's suffering for our sins, so does "Thine Forever," painting atonement as transfigurative yet with a clear, single focus.

O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

Although earthly circumstances often ensnare us, there is an even greater hold on us: Christ's love. "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" paints the relentless, overwhelming binding of daily life and the deep, calm, curative core only Jesus can provide, one that breaks the binding weariness and promises "life that shall endless be."

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

Color and texture are given a workout in "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling." The brewing, flaming movements of red and other dark tones entwine with golden, glorious tones and pink, compassionate tones to suggest a refining. Along with the movement, layering, and variations of the work's typography, the work portrays a sanctification and renewal taking place.

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds

To interpret the gentle sweetness of the Name above All Names, I decided to depart from the usual strong colors I work with and turn to a less-saturated palette. The result is an abstracted orchestra of nature that showcases a hand-picked bouquet of typography.

Fairest Lord Jesus (Jesus Shines Brighter)

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

The lyrics of "Come, Thou Fount" express a heartfelt petition to be in tune with God. The work's foundation is a melding of texture and hues that form a fountainhead of praise-like movement. At the forefront is an overlayment of cleansing forgiveness sealed by a bright crimson shield.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Inspired to a literal interpretation of Martin Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," I designed the centerpiece of this work to be a bulwark of type. Every letter is constructed to be bound together by at least one pixel of its adjoining letters so that the verses' structure is solid and impenetrable yet still allows the light of truth to beam through.

Amazing Grace! (How Sweet the Sound)

The "Amazing Grace!" series features a multi-faceted, abstract stained-glass backdrop with foreground typography portraying the simplicity and timelessness of this hymn's redemptive message.

Amazing Grace! ('Twas Grace That Taught)

The "Amazing Grace!" series features a multi-faceted, abstract stained-glass backdrop with foreground typography portraying the simplicity and timelessness of this hymn's redemptive message.

Amazing Grace! (Through Many Dangers)

The "Amazing Grace!" series features a multi-faceted, abstract stained-glass backdrop with foreground typography portraying the simplicity and timelessness of this hymn's redemptive message.

Amazing Grace! (When We've Been There)

The "Amazing Grace!" series features a multi-faceted, abstract stained-glass backdrop with foreground typography portraying the simplicity and timelessness of this hymn's redemptive message.

Blessed Assurance

"Blessed Assurance" is one of those hymns that seems barely able to contain itself within the boundaries of its melody. This joyous spirit is reflected in waves of fresh, bright blues and greens that flow behind typography echoing Fanny Crosby's jubilant verses.

Be Still, My Soul

Although a sea of mottled, earthly bound hues crash all around it, the central cry, "Be Still, My Soul," remains safely enveloped in a calm, anchored core. The twists and turns of the typography are inspired by the melody of Jean Sibelius' "Finlandia," which, despite its complicated melody and occasional dissonance, weaves this hymn's words into a comforting quilt of a reminder, "through thorny ways leads to a joyful end."

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Painting a fresh take on a 500-year-old German carol is an interesting proposition, and one I decided to tackle with a juxtapositioning of traditional and contemporary techniques and typography.

Watchman, Tell Us of the Night

Many of us aren't familiar with this hymn; it certainly isn't one in the common Christmas songbook. I discovered it tucked away in an older hymnal while researching a theme for our family Christmas card. The antiphonal dialogue I heard in "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night" captivated me, and I couldn't resist trying to depict its clarion message of expectancy and the promise of fulfillment.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

The richness and vitality of this traditional Christmas spiritual is painted in an abstract landscape of saturated strokes, and its clear message is mirrored in forthright typography set against a pure white field.

Joy to the World (Savior)

Joy to the World (Prepare)

This interpretation of Isaac Watts' beloved Christmas hymn features a deep-colored background meant to make its message, a reminder of the Advent season, spring to heads and hearts.