Biblical Illustrations by Scott Aasman, Ned Bustard, Scott Erickson, John Hendrix, Aaron Kapper, Chris Koelle, Kayla Mayer, and Stephen Procopio

On view April 7 - May 12, 2019

GALLERY TALK + RECEPTION: Friday, April 26, 2019 7-9p.m.

The definition of the English word illustration is commonly known as “an example serving to clarify or prove something.” To illustrate a point is a staple rhetorical device used in books, essays, speeches, and, in our context, sermons. We unknowingly use this in our everyday speech through similes, analogies, metaphors, and hyperboles. The act of illustrating helps us as humans make sense of our complex world. Similarly, the art of illustration uses images to further a storyline or to make something clear.

Illustration as an art is important for the church the same way storytelling is. Jesus was a master storyteller and rarely made His points in a straightforward way. By using storytelling as a primary mode of communication, God is inviting us into something deeper. Stories engage our imaginations, critical thinking skills, and sense of wonder. Especially in our modern day and age, our imaginations are needed to understand scripture in a fuller way. Unlike the original audiences, we cannot feel the dirt Jesus walked on, taste manna from heaven, or recall from memory the brutality of a Roman execution.

Being able to understand God’s Story with more breadth and depth helps us find our role within it. These illustrations invite us to fully consider the beautiful, painful, miraculous, and ordinary reality of God.

Scott Aasman is an artist, illustrator and carpenter living and working in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada where he and his wife, Michelle, settled after completing his degree in Art and Theology from Redeemer University. His work is primarily concerned with playing with the ideas, questions, and mystery that arises out of the marriage between those two fields of study. When he’s not being a human jungle gym for their two children or having his nose buried in a sketchbook, Scott enjoys a good western novel, John Prine’s discography, nerding out over Northern Renaissance art, and spending time at his family’s cabin. You can follow him on Instagram @sanillustration.

Ned Bustard is the graphic designer, children’s book illustrator, author, and a printmaker. Some of the books include It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God, History of Art: Creation to Contemporary, Every Moment Holy, and Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups. He and his wife Leslie have three daughters, one dog, and an unreasonable about of books. Ned lives in the West End of Lancaster, Pennsylvania—much too far inland for him to get to go sailing. To see more of his work, visit www.WorldsEndImages.com.

Scott Erickson is a painter, performance speaker, and professor. His work is deeply honest, turning many of his own struggles and doubts into work that encourages others. He is the co-author of Prayer: Forty Days of Practice and is an adjunct professor at Warner Pacific College. Scott lives in the PNW with his wife Holly and two children, Anders and Elsa. To see more of his work, visit scottericksonart.com.

John Hendrix is a New York Times Bestselling illustrator and author of many children's books including, Drawing is Magic, John Brown: His Fight for Freedom, Miracle Man: The Story of Jesus, and YALSA Award finalist, The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler. His illustrations have appeared on book jackets, newspapers and magazines all over the world. John also is an associate professor, teaching illustration in the Sam Fox School of Art as Chair of Design at Washington University in St. Louis. To see more of his work, visit johnhendrix.com.

Since earning his BFA in Illustration in 2012, Aaron Kapper has worked as a freelance illustrator, drawing editorial and conceptual illustrations. Allegory and medieval art, engravings and woodcuts, political cartoons, and good ol’ pen and ink and graphite get him excited about drawing. Most of his completed illustrations are digital works that are finalized after 10-25 thumbnails sketches are made, digitally scanned, and then brought into Photoshop or Illustrator. Aaron is married to a graphic designer named Briana. They have a cat named Luna and they all live in a really old house in Shelby Park, Louisville since summer 2018. To see more of his work, visit aaronkapperillustration.squarespace.com.

Chris Koelle is an award-winning illustrator whose dramatic, visceral artwork has helped tell compelling stories across multi-disciplinary mediums including graphic novels, documentaries, feature film, animation, illustrated books, and fine art. He is currently illustrating a motion graphics film about new prosthetic technology for combat amputees. Clients include The National Guard / GX Magazine, The Documentary Group, Oxford University Press, HarperCollins Publishers, and Chronicle Books. To see more of his work, visit chriskoelle.com.

Kayla Mayer currently storyboards and illustrates animated explainer videos at the bibleproject.com. Her work focuses on fantastic creatures and compelling foliage. Kayla specializes in illustration for animation, including storyboards, background design, character design, layout, and background painting. She also enjoys editorial work, and advertising. She lives in Portland, and bikes to work. A Pacific Northwest native, she enjoys abundant greenery and good food. She keeps a steady sketchbook you can follow @krmayerillustration.

Stephen Procopio is an illustrator living in Northern Virginia where he works full time making drawings for a church. Stephen spends most days drawing in sketchbooks and on computers. He is very blessed to be married to his wife Ali and father to two kids, Logan (4) and Audrey (2) and a dog named Frank (9). Drawing has always been a huge part of Stephen’s life, using it to interpret the world around him and processing most information, but mainly using it to understand his faith. Stephen is a huge fan of comics and loves teaching. He received an MFA in Illustration from SVA in New York City in 2018. Stephen currently teaches at The Art League in Alexandria, VA and is partnered with the newly founded Fishcoin Press out of Richmond, VA. You can find him online at procopiodraws.com and follow his work on Instagram @procopiodraws.