ECVA - Claudia Smith - Sacrament and Image

Rock of Salvation

Mixed media
6" x 6"

Artist Statement: The sacrament of Holy Baptism is visible to us as it occurs. We welcome it, participate in it, embrace and rejoice in it. Its outwardly visible sign is water. Christ’s presence, although not outwardly visible, is inwardly and spiritually felt and acknowledged through the Holy Spirit. The love and joy that the event and His “felt” presence produces, reveals itself when it transforms us from within.

I am a lector at St. Anthony on the Desert. While going through the Prayer Book, I came upon Psalm 105: Part II: p. 41: “He opened the rock, and water flowed, so the river ran in the dry places.” It actually made me blink! I instantly felt a connection and a definite “call” that I couldn’t ignore. To me it clearly says: God’s gift of his Son is known and acknowledged through Baptism and Holy Water. We are saved by His sacrifice and Grace—we, who are the “dry places.”

Bio: Claudia graduated with a degree in Art Education. She was a high school art teacher for several years. Eventually, she ventured into the commercial world of interior design and freelance work, but never lost her love for creating fine art. Her oil paintings and mixed-media pieces have been featured in galleries and municipal buildings, and are in many private collections. Claudiacreate1@aol.com