communion: breakfast on the beach

I recently created this 24x30 mixed media painting on canvas after my experience on the art mentor retreat in Texas last month. It was inspired by several events & people who have influenced my life over the last 10 years...converging together as an epiphany in my heart & mind about communion.

Matthew 26:26-28 talks about Jesus sharing in communion with his disciples (during the Passover Feast) before he was to be crucified. He shared himself in a real way with them over a meal (the bread and wine that was available at the time). John 21:12-13 talks about the risen Christ inviting his disciples to join him on the beach for breakfast (a form of communion). He shared himself in a real way with them over a meal (the bread and fish that was available at the time). I wanted to take this theme and connect it with something our culture shares in today: the act of having “coffee” with one another. When we invite others to “coffee” with us, it’s like we are inviting them to commune with us in relationship and to be real with us over a "meal" (the coffee and whatever food that might be available at the time). It’s like a portal to an ancient custom...a custom that Christ seemed to think was important for us to remember Him in. It’s that kind of relationship of heart to heart sharing over a cup and a meal that Christ desires with us and through us with others.

I created this painting with that kind of communion in mind.