The weight of the Baptizer

Mark 1:1-8 in the preparing for the coming of Jesus. John the baptizer is sent out to preach repentance. As I was starting on the sketch, I thought about how crushing a call like that would be. So, the image of John holding back the waters of baptism is what I drew. The weight of his call is to “prepare the way of the Lord, and make His path straight”. Wow, the mental pressure, spiritual stress, and the fact that he wore camel’s hair and lived of bugs and honey. I just love what Jesus has to say about him. (Matthew 11:4-11) And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, "'Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.' Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. (ESV)

Well, enjoy and God bless,  

Thanks, Nino Olson

Jesus Carries Our Sins

I will be doing the Christian calendar in a Japanese tattoo styled art (or Japanese woodblock for those who care). The reason for that is, I love the ability to use readable symbolism in art that speaks. So, Jesus carries our sins is originally inspired by Isaiah 64:1-9 (it’s one of the passages to be read) and most of the image comes from the first three verses. But, as I began more imagery came to me so I let it come in. at first it was just going to be Jesus standing at the base of the mountain. I had created the background first, so I had to deal with the image in a different way, (and since I’m not a master at Japanese art, I relied heavily on wood block art and how they draw).  I drew Jesus posing then added in the cross; his hand was going to be holding a net full of skulls (which represent Jesus carrying our sins to the cross). Instead, I thought a rope would do better, one that held seven heads like the seven deadly sins tied in some way to a rope, representing eternity. There is plenty more imagery used but I will leave that to you to see. Enjoy and happy advent season. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!

 Nino Olson

Celebrating the Scape goat is the Christian Calendar

So this isn't the first Advent season. We are actualy in the second part of the cycle. I have no intention of explaining the Christian Calendar to you, you have the internet. I'm sure you can find out what you would like to know with a couple of clicks. But for our purposes this blog will be dedicated to do something out of the Lectionary of the Christian Calendar. We will put something up before Sunday each week.

Thank you and enjoy

Nino Olson