The Trinity

Inexpressible (2010) (10" x 5 1/2" x 3 1/2")

mixed media construction



How does one picture the mystery of the Trinity if it can't even be expressed well in words, although the historical creeds have attempted to do so for centuries?

In the above case, it is done with a conglomeration of a wooden hat mold, plumbing connections,painted polyurethane, microscope parts and paper collage mounted on a corregated tin plate.

Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board



I pictured Solomon's hymn to the ideal wife as a traditional crazy quilt with some of the squares, however, reflecting the surprisingly liberated activities that she is said to engage in.

Proverbs 29

Proverbs 29 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board

"Scoffers set a city aflalme, but the wise turn away wrath."

"whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet."

"If a king judges the poor with equity his throne will be established forever."

"When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall."

This is my last post for this month since I am going on vacation.

Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board

"Those who mislead the upright into evil ways will fall into pits of their own making."

"Anyone who tills the land will have plenty of bread, but one who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty."

"When the wicked prevail, people go into hiding; but when they perish, the righteous increase."

Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"Just as water reflects the face, so one human heart reflects another."

"Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds."

"The lambs will provide your clothing and the goats the price of a field."

"Like a bird that strays from its nest is one who strays from home."

"A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike; to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in the right hand."

Proverbs 26

Proverbs 26 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

This chapter contains the interesting pair of proverbs:

"Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you will be a fool yourself" and

"Answer fools according to their folly, or they will be wise in their own eyes."

As with most proverbs, the way to act properly depends upon the specific circumstances.

"The lazy person buries a hand in the dish and is too tired to bring it back to the mouth."

"For lack of wood the fire goes out."

"Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool."

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board



"Like the heaven for height, like the earth for depth, so the mind of kings is unsearchable."

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

"Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is trust in a faithless person in time of trouble."

"If your enemies are hungry, give them bread to eat; and if they are thirsty, give them water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the LORD will reward you."

"Like a city breached, without walls, is one who lacks self-control."

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established."

"Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous; do no violence to the place where the righteous live; for though they fall seven times, they will rise again."

"A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior."

Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"Do not be among winebibbers, or among gluttonious eaters of meat."

"Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old."
"Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like an adder. your eyes will see strange things and your mind utter perverse things."

Proverbs 22

Proverbs 22 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board

"The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on and suffer for it."

"Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will have the king as a friend."

"The lazy person says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!'"

"Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips."

Proverbs 21

 Proverbs 21 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD."

"It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife."

"When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser."

"Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it."

"The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD."

Proverbs 20

Proverbs 20 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

One of the main thems of this chapter concerns a wise king. "A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them."

Proverbs 19

Proverbs 19 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes."

"House and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD."

"Laziness brings on deep sleep; and idle person will suffer hunger."

"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom for the future."

"A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity."

Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board



"The words of the mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream."

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

"An intelligent mind acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board

This is probably my favorite collage within this series since it demonstrates how a completely new landscape can be created by combining a few diverse elements.

Proverbs 16

Proverbs 16 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board

"When the ways of people please the LORD, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them."

"The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps."

"Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death."

Proverbs 15

Proverbs 15 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board

"Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it."

"The way of the lazy is overgrown with thorns, but the parth of the upright is a level highway."

The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous."

Proverbs 14

Proverbs 14 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board



This chapter is a miscellany of sayings regarding wise and foolish behavior:

"The house of the wicked is destroyed but the tent of the upright flourishes."

"There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death."

"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but one who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13 (1994) (7" x 5")

collage on canvas board



"Those who guard their mouth preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin."

Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12 (1994) (5" x 7")

collage on canvas board



"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkens to counsel is wise."

"The hand of the diligent will rule, while the lazy will be put to forced labor."