No Other Way

This piece received an Honorable Mention in the 2019 Book of Mormon Central Art Contest.

 

"'No Other Way' is an oil painting on 16x20 canvas panel. It's my depiction of Mother Eve as described by Lehi in 2 Nephi 2:17-25. 

 

Throughout the history of art, there has too often been an air of foolishness or even depravity in the way Eve was depicted, which only reflects the sad reality that many view Eve as a less-than-noble woman. Thanks to the Book of Mormon and other modern scripture, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a vastly different view.

 

In the ultimate act of motherhood, Eve placed her children's well-being above her own. She and Adam sacrificed the ease, beauty, and immortality of Eden for a cursed world full of sickness, sin, death, and all manner of trials, so that each of us "might have joy." I sought to portray her conflict, her fear of the unknown, her goodness, and her strength. Her back is towards Lucifer (depicted here by a serpent), and her eyes toward the light, almost in prayer. This was the moment she realized there was no other way to keep God's first commandment. She would have to officially claim her agency by transgressing a lesser law."