jenn jones: "oof. that's kind of dark" (FEEDBACK APPRECIATED PLS)

if its anything i've learned so far, its that you absolutely positively cannot have light without darkness. in a way, after trying so hard to focus on light this entire year, my thoughts have always been going back to darkness. entropy. we cannot always be lights. and we don't have to worry about the light leaving us, because it is not generated from us; it is from something bigger.

whenever i get a good idea for a concept, i sometimes think to myself "gosh. that's kind of dark". and that's funny to me, since i'm such a happy person, and i'm trying so hard to make art about light. i thought that might be a good idea for a show title.

i've been holding back on God words and God imagery. honestly, i'm afraid of how people will perceive things like that. not many people enjoy religion very much. and my art is usually just pleasing to the eye, and heartwarming. i hardly ever show my existential / very spiritual / very christian side. but that's something i need to just get over. i have something i want to say, and that's all that matters in the end.

and not going to lie, coming to this realization has made me kind of giddy with excitement. almost like, i want to tell everyone about this! because christianity has become warped by many bad people who think they are doing good things. i want to voice my side, plus scripture, minus theirs. offering anybody a fresh take on a religion that has saved me over and over again is cool. i can't help if talk of religion rubs someone the wrong way, because that doesn't discern me. i'm doing this out of peace.

here are three illustrations paired with verses that help explain my concept how God is light, and darkness is an integral part of life.

this one is self explanatory. i drew this last semester and am more than glad to bring it back.

i got this idea thinking about how Christ is the lamb of God, and it took such a dark thing such as the crucifixion to bring salvation to the world. to make sure jesus was dead, a soldier thrust a lance into his side. so this is a lance in a lamb.

this is about persevering through hardships. the praying hands are literally dead, but still praying. because we all feel dead sometimes. and the olive branches resemble hope and peace of good things to come. i may find a new verse for this illustration, but i like this one for now.

since i have the space by the window, i would like to touch these up and screen print them onto something the sunlight could shine through. either that, or just on paper, and then i can come up with something else to use with the sunlight.


i'm feeling a lot better. and i'd really appreciate feedback/critique!