Lost
Art Medium: Graphite
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Art Price: $NFS
Avery Ricks – For this project, I drew a girl looking lost to represent Jonah’s state of running from God. As Jonah, she is wanting to rid herself of guilt and sin.
The Shunning
Art Medium: Oil on Canvas
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Art Price: $NFS
Marion Rice – God’s calling is on each of our lives. He lays before us fields of opportunity to serve Him as represented in this painting. Though the fields may be ripe with harvest, we are often overwhelmed with our own fears and insecurities. In this painting, the modern day Jonah seeks to mute God’s voice and direction – thus our struggle.
What If
Art Medium: Acrylic
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Art Price: $NFS
Patti Retzloff – What if the seas soaked up Jonah’s roiling self-pity? What if they raged with Jonah’s anger? In this piece, the seas are roiling beyond and above Nineveh. Will they come crashing down on the city? No, God lifts the seas away from the forgiven people. Where will the waters flood, seething with Jonah’s resentment?
Jonah’s Anger
Art Medium: Acrylic
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Art Price: $NFS
Patti Retzloff – Jonah was tossed into the raging seas; he was swallowed by a fish and spat back up. Finally, he resentfully trudged to Nineveh, all on God’s orders to warn the people there. After following God’s orders, he sat back to watch the show. But did the show ever happen? No, a caterpillar killed his shelter, and God forgave the wicked city of Nineveh. Anger, anger, anger welled up. Did Jonah ever understand forgiveness? Do we?
Jonah and the Whale
Art Medium: Acrylic and Plasticine Clay
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Art Price: $NFS
Jake Raine – This picture depicts God’s provision for Jonah by sending a big fish to swallow him and keep him for three days. During this time, Jonah was repentant and returned to God’s call on his life.
The Conversation
Art Medium: Oil on Canvas
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Art Price: $NFS
Scott Powell – I was sitting in the EDGE looking through the bulletin. I noticed the call for artists. The following Monday I was reading my One Year Bible, and I came to the book of Jonah. Hello. I decided at that point I wanted to enter the contest. I love art and feel that I am creative; however, I am NOT a professional artist. I hope my passion for God and art shows beyond my artwork.
Jonah Box
Art Medium: Mixed
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Art Price: $NFS
Lisa Powell – I wanted to expand my artistry by doing something different. This decorated “treasure box” can hold photos, channel changers, or heartfelt treasures. I kept thinking of the verse “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Jonah (which means “dove”) ran away from God’s will because he treasured his reputation more than what God called him to do. He didn’t want to look like a fool. God’s grace drew him back, teaching him the overall loving-kindness of the Lord for Nineveh, Jonah, and the shipmates on the boat. May we all be reminded to treasure God’s will above our own before we get swallowed up by the “whales” of life.
Dove Painting
Art Medium: Painting
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Art Price: $NFS
Lisa Powell – Jonah means “dove – the messenger.” The predominate figure is the dove in flight – Jonah flying away or fleeing from God’s will. Surrounding Jonah are sandstone blocks representing the city of Nineveh as well as stained glass fragments and wood representing Jonah being tossed in the sea. He was swallowed by a whale and stayed for three days. The three gold leafed circles represent the three days which also symbolize of the three days and nights Jesus lay in the grave. They also represent the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May we all learn from the book of Jonah to trust that God’s will is always best.
Miserere Nobis
Art Medium: Mixed Media on Paper
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Art Price: $NFS
Scott Pollock – “Miserere” simply represents a state of conviction of sin felt by those Ninevites to whom Jonah preached.
Nineveh
Art Medium: Pastel
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Art Price: $NFS
Susan Plunkett – Assyria was a great and evil empire and was Israel’s most hated enemy. Nineveh, the capitol city of Assyria, was overflowing with violence and corruption. Jonah ran away when he was told to go to Nineveh. He knew because of God’s great mercy and love that God would forgive Nineveh for their sins and that the people would repent. He hated these people and really didn’t want God to go to any trouble to save them. But God had a lesson for Jonah and for all of us: God’s love and compassion is for all people who will repent and believe in Him.
Jonah Inside Out
Art Medium: Pen and Ink
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Art Price: $NFS
Greg Pelton – Jonah is sitting in the shelter wishing he was dead. God’s plan to destroy Nineveh had changed. My heart is sometimes just as calloused toward that region. The ruins of Nineveh are believed to be just outside present day Mosul, Iraq. In the sand storm, the three figures represent the spiritually dead and people worshipping along with the militants of modern time. God desires that no one perish.
Mercy Inside a Fish
Art Medium: Mixed eMedia/Sculptur
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Art Price: $NFS
Janet Peebles – The old catfish skull I found has waited over a year to be used in an art project. When the Jonah Art Exhibit was announced, I began to examine the skull. When I noticed the shape of the cross, I suddenly remembered the legend of the crucifix fish. This sculpture represents God’s mercy from creation to the cross and His plan of salvation for all.
Filled with Anger
Art Medium: Acrylic Paint, Ink, and Gold Paint Pen
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Art Price: $NFS
Katherine Payne – This picture represents Jonah and his struggle with God. The dove symbolizes Jonah, because Jonah’s name means “dove.” The Hebrew word inside of the dove means “anger.” The word was placed inside of the dove because Jonah was filled with anger toward God and his fellow man.
Swirling Repentance
Art Medium: Acrylic/Watercolor/Markers
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Art Price: $NFS
Hannah Pastor – I was inspired by Van Gogh’s painting, “Starry Night.” I really liked the technique and wanted to use it for the swirling waters.
Oh, Mercy!
Art Medium: Oil, Gold Leaf and Metal Beads
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Art Price: $NFS
Rosemary Parker – The red sky expresses Jonah’s anger that we read throughout this book. Nineveh is represented in gold leaf as is Jonah’s head covering, symbolizing God loved Nineveh as much as He loved Jonah. The region would later be destroyed by God again and again despite the prayers of God’s people for mercy down through the ages. These prayers are represented here by golden grains of sand.
