When we settled on the theme for the painting commissioned by the Peoria United Methodist Church as the "Tree of Life", the first thing I wanted to do was to relate to that tree as the kind of trees that I'm already familiar with.  When Ezekiel talked about trees "here and there" I could see an environment that was full of life.  The trees bore fruit, and had leaves with healing properties.  There was water and fish and the sense, with the healing of the Dead Sea, that the region had become paradisical.

As this concept developed, the Tree of Life became a part of a wooded envrion, and an ideal gathering place for people to join together near that stream that flowed from the temple.  In my own mind, I was making a comparision between the Garden of Eden and the "time of the eving breezes" with the physically comfortable place of the City of God in which the "Sun did not smite them, nor any heat".   I have thought of many occassions in the Spring and Fall when the temperature and humidy were just perfect and brought with them a permeating feeling of well-being.

As I further studied the scriptures, I focused most of my reading on the book of Revelations and Ezekiel, I developed mental pictures of a beautiful and harmonious built environment and I wanted to connect that built environment in the form of a gate, with the Tree of Life and the pure waters that flowed and expanded the more distant they were from the temple.  This became the stage where I wanted to place my models.  

Originally, I was considering a narrow sense of depth, but that very quickly gave way to a more expanisive kind of space that might be more familiar to thoe people who grew up along the Skunk River near Maxwell where the Peoria United Methodist Church was situated.   In a most literal way, with members of the congregation, both living and deceased, the congregation is gathered together.  It seemed to me to be a suitable metaphor for gathering in the security of the walls of the church with the love and fellowship of family and friends.  Of course, that love and fellowship is then extended beyond and outward as influence for good within the surrounds and region of Maxwell.

The painting is a considerable undertaking.  Certainly a long term committement for members of the Peoria Church, but for me as an artist as well.  When completed, the painting will have consumed my attention for almost a year and it will become one of my most important works.  As I never undertake a commission lightly,  I have considerable anxiety to exceed my own expectations and capacties.  

The painting measures over 15 feet six inches (without a frame) long and just over 5 feet tall at the center.  Larry and Lynette Sherer will be providing a frame based on a design I developed specfically to fit the compound arched nature of the canvas.

Each living person represented in the painting as been video taped, photographs of deceased persons have been gathered and every attempt to develop likenesses in suitable poses based on those images have been made.  Keeping the members of the Peoria Congregation well informed about the progress of the painting has been important to me, so I set up this web site with an artist's journal or diary with photographs and few words to allow them to enjoy the creative journey with me.

I've also been grateful for the opportunity of working with Pastor Joyce Webb to be sure that the images I create share a message that is consistent with the faith and hope of the Peoria congregation.  I've also appreciated the artistic latitude I have been given, and with that feel a strong desire to honor their trust in my work.  

Many thanks to all who have made this possible!