God gave me a vision to paint this oil work mid-2019 and I completed it by the first week of lock down in 2020 due to covid 19 in Melbourne.
The covid-cow lying down in Victoria (see the painting) was very appropriate as Melbourne has gone on to be the proverbial lockdown king in the world today! So, I sense my vision was quite predictive and from God.
I called it the ‘2020 Vision of Hope for Humanity.’
I was certainly majorly inspired by Genesis 41 where Pharoah’s vision revealed the fat cows being devoured by the scrawny ones. In context, this was God’s warning to prepare for a famine which Joseph understood.
However, I reversed the order, with fat cows devouring the impoverished ones, as I felt it was to be NT application. It portrays how through the gospel we can be intentional in releasing God’s blessing in Christ.
Anyway, how do you prepare a painting you will use to preach and preach from the painting you paint?
Obviously, there is not a formula, however, here is some practical advice:
Step 1 Allow scripture and the spirit of God to inspire your subject and motif. How do you do that?? You probably already know, just give it a try!
Step 2 When inspiration or revelation is from God it often lingers and empowers your energy level and creativity to paint. Joy unspeakable.
Step 3 If you prefer not to paint from imagination like Van Gogh use some photos. Happy selecting and configuring!
Step 4 Step out in faith to paint by keeping in the mind the joy of finished work for by yourself and the viewers. Too many canvas’ remain empty! This work is approx. 90cm x 130cm. ‘God please help me.’
Step 5 Allow God to inspire more colours and additions as you paint. Nothing beats practice and plenty of it.
Step 6 Let the motif come alive by applying it to your sharing. Adapt your theme to your message and vice versa.
I used my painting for a grace-theme running through letter to the Romans, to empower discipleship.
Step 7 The proof is in the pudding. Hope you enjoy part 1 in this short video clip of myself preaching from my painting. Enjoy!
Mark Rusic was born in Melbourne and has a bachelor in Mechanical engineering. He became a missionary to many suffering hardship and poverty on Madura Island in Indonesia, for about 4 years, from 1990. He has worked as a pastor-life coach over the past 17 years in Hope International Ministries. Mark is also an artist and author and has also written two books which are a collection of his own paintings, photography and poetry. These include ‘Iconic Melbourne of Australia’ and ‘Iconic Animals of Australia with a voice to release your giant potential within.’ He has been counted among some of Australia’s best-selling authors since 2014 and is a public speaker in various community groups, organisations and churches. He has a special grace to help people find and release why they were born. See iconiccolours.com for more information about Mark’s services.
