This is the new commission for It is of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. I have always loved the imagery of this passage of scripture. Half the men furiously trying to lay block for walls, and the rest patrolling for the enemy. Some having tools in one hand and weapons in the other as they worked.
I have always loved Caspar David Friedrich’s work. Of all the painters from the Romantic era, I would say his work has always been the most influential on me. While other genuises like Thomas Moran and Turner have always inspired and impressed me to no end, I always find myself referencing Friedrich’s work the most.
In this piece I knew immediatly, as i read the passage, that I wanted to do something with a low horizon and with a massive skyscape. There is something so awesome about ruins at twilight. In 2002 I wandered around the middle of England and got to see dozesn of ruined abbeys, castles and cathedrals. One night I even slept on the grass in the chapel of one called Llanthony Priory. There was no ceiling or floor to the old church anymore. I sat there staring up at the moon and watched bats flying out from the arches above until morning. I have always loved ruins.
The piece is almost finished. I am a big fan of huge ominous cloudscapes and this piece will be n exception. The overall mood of the piece is almost there, and now its on to the fine detailing…
