In late March of 2021, I got the opportunity to present the final art series of my undergraduate career studying Studio Art.
The main series includes five large figurative charcoal drawings inspired by the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and accompanying landscapes that serve as an extension of the Garden of Eden.
Scroll down for the accompanying artist statement. Thank you and enjoy!
Artist Statement “The Grace With Us”
Creating artwork is the perfect challenge that keeps my life engaging and active in thought and action. Rather than having security in knowing there can be specific answers found like in math or science, the ambiguity of art forces a significant amount of deliberate thought and decision making. There are infinite right and wrong answers. In taking that challenge head-on, art becomes an outlet for continuous complex thought. Art is a way to analyze philosophy, my faith, and my identity. Above all, I am a steward of my faith. My actions on earth are an opportunity to show glory and thanks to God for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and for serving others. Beyond my faith, I have other values that guide my emotions, decisions, and thoughts. Creating artwork is one way that I work to discover and refine those values.
“The Grace With Us”, is a five-part series of charcoal drawings and is a re-creation of a powerful Biblical narrative with added conceptual consideration relating to my personal experiences. By drawing Adam and Eve, I want to point out that they are not distant characters from history with little relation to us today. Through my Christian faith, I know we all share the same love from God as his creation alongside the original sin from the Fall. We all need rescuing from the eternal condemnation that we deserve because of sin. Salvation is possible only through God’s grace: undeserved love. This grace is not always visible to us and manifests itself in different ways. Nevertheless, God’s grace is forever present, represented by the pure white cloth placed in each drawing with varying degrees of subtlety.
Art is the consistently challenging method I use to examine myself, my faith, and my values and to provide a service for others when possible. As an artist and with this body sf work, I hope to encourage appreciation for what’s in God’s beautiful Creation and for the value of self-discovery and affirmation.
“One Flesh”
In creating Eve for Adam, God instituted the first marriage and it was perfect. Through this act of Grace, God gave Adam and Eve companionship, intimacy, and spiritual support for one another. The idea of a perfect marriage today is fascinating but impossible to fully comprehend.
Genesis 2:20-25, Charcoal on Paper, 50″x20″
“The Moment Before”
In the middle of the Garden of Eden, there were two trees: the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. The placement of these trees was a design choice by God that allowed humanity the Grace of free will. The fruit Eve has in hand is from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Genesis 3:1-7, Charcoal on Paper, 30″x33″
“Pointing Fingers”
When directly confronted by God for their sin, Adam and Eve both quickly shifted blame to another. This scene is a seemingly dark moment, but Grace is still evident in the promise of a coming Savior to absolve them of their sin.
Genesis 3:8-13, Charcoal on Paper, 35″x37″
“The Expulsion”
Adam and Eve have eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and brought sin into the world. God then expelled them from the Garden of Eden. This act of Grace kept Adam and Eve from temptation to eat from the Tree of Life. If they ate from the Tree of Life, they would be cursed to live in sin on Earth forever. Looking ahead, Adam holds steadfast to the promise of a Savior.
Genesis 3:14-24, Charcoal on Paper, 38″x30″
“Eve’s Guilt”, Self Portrait
“The Grace with Us,” in part, serves as a confessional of Pitzner’s struggles with guilt and accepting God’s Grace. Pitzner particularly relates to Eve and the guilt that she experienced after playing her part in the Fall. “Eve’s Guilt” is a self-portrait and reminder of that ongoing struggle and God’s ever-present Grace.
2 Corinthians 5:21, John 13, Romans 8:1-4, Charcoal on Paper, 33″x30″
“Created Creators” A Senior Capstone Exhibition
I presented my senior capstone series with two additional graduating seniors. In total, we showed a variety of media including, charcoal drawings, oil paintings, watercolor paintings, and digital photography. “Created Creators” was exhibited in the Ylvisaker Fine Arts Center at Bethany Lutheran College from March 19th through April 6th, and we hosted an opening reception on March 19th. At the reception, I had the opportunity to present “The Grace With Us” and my artist’s story.
If you missed the live event, no worries! We recorded the reception, and it’s currently available on the Bethany Lutheran College Fine Arts page on Facebook.
Click HERE for the Facebook Live Recording of Exhibition Presentations
Thank you to all who came to see “The Grace With Us” in person, and thank you to YOU for taking the time to view the work online today!
MINDY PITZNER 