CROSS DRAWINGS
This is a rendering of the current commission piece I am working on for C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Coadjutor Elect for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. After weeks of shared conceptualizing and bouncing ideas back and forth, I put the pencil to the paper last week. Through many email exchanges of my drawings, we decided over the weekend that we now have a working design.
My next step is to sculpt the design in wax. I started the wax model on July 22 and am posting the photos of the progress in the following galleries as the work continues.
I have added the full symbolism of each design element in the drawing close-ups. Here's a brief description of the symbolism in full:
The shape, known as a budded cross, features the Christ figure as The Good Shepherd bringing peace to his flock, symbolized by the lion and lamb at his feet. Each of the trefoil ends feature different resurrection symbols; the lotus flower, lily, bursting pomegranate, and dogwood blossom. The grape vines filling the form remind us that Christ is the Vine and we are the branches. When we abide in Him we bear much fruit. The cross will measure 4 1/4 X 3 1/4 inches, cast in gold and set with garnet gem stones symbolizing the blood of Christ.
Doyle is also an artist and this project is proving to be a fun and rewarding collaborative design process for us.