Laura Summer

21 faces of those who have been through the tribulation

These paintings were done using the elements of traditional icon drawing – poplar boards, rabbit hide glue, linen fabric, traditional gesso, egg tempera and dry pigment. The process was also like the process of icon drawing, I began by drawing and then added color in many semi transparent layers. But the process was also not like icon drawing, unlike the traditional approach I did not know how each painting would turn out. I had no sketches or even imagination before I began. Each face arose out of the lines and color surfaces as I worked. I knew that I was working with the quote from the Revelation of John 7:13-17 and that these 21 faces would in some way show a process. This is the process that manifested. Unlike icons these are not the faces of saints or angels, they are those who have been through the tribulation.

Revelation 7:13-17

13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.

16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."