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Geoffrey Thulin
Manifestations
of the Spirit:
Angels and Beasts
Online version of a highly successful exhibit, fall 2004
Fine Arts Council
Lutheran Theological Seminary
at Gettysburg
61 Seminary Ridge,
Gettysburg, PA
About the work
The paintings in “Manifestations Of
The Spirit: Angels And Beasts” are explorations based on
two very familiar scriptural passages. The first is Isaiah’s
(11: 1-9) vision of a new order, a new dawn, the arrival of God’s
kingdom on earth. This beautiful and evocative passage describes
a “peaceable
kingdom” where animals- predator and prey- eat and lie down
together in peace…” and a little child shall lead them” (vs.
6) My paintings (see example below) based on Isaiah’s words
are playful, bright, childlike celebrations of life, color, harmony
and the
joy in God’s
creation.
Isaiah prepares us for the coming of the
Messiah. In Luke 2: 8-14, an angel, indeed an entire “multitude of the heavenly host” (vs.
13), loudly announces the Messiah’s arrival. This proclamation,
which may have seemed like a vision from another world, was to
a group of shepherds in open country in the black of night. What
wonder, awe and terror must have shaken their bodies and filled
their souls! Heaven literally touches Earth, not just that night,
but every day. God becomes human and the Holy Spirit lives and
breathes in us. My atmospheric paintings and drawings based on
Luke’s stirring account bring forth some of the amazing aspects
of God and Heaven on Earth : the energy, the drama, the marvel,
the beauty, the fear, the turmoil, the inner peace—all in
the expansive night sky as well as our interior experience.
| About
the Artist |
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| Geoffrey Thulin has been
drawing and painting as long as he can remember and felt “called” as
an artist at age 20. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Studio Art from Penn State, where he graduated with highest
distinction in 1982. Geoffrey has also studied Western Literature
and Art History at Gettysburg College and studied in Sweden.
He has exhibited art in San Francisco, Martha’s Vineyard
and State College (PA). In Gettysburg, his art has been on display
at Gallery 30, Blue Parrot Bistro, Adams County Library
and Harrisburg Area Community College (Gettysburg) as well as the Lutheran Theological Seminary. His work has also been seen at the Doshi
Gallery
at the Susquehanna Art Museum (Harrisburg).
Mr. Thulin is descended from a line of craftsmen, builders,
educators and Lutheran clergy. Having lived in various regions
of the U.S., he has made Adams County his home since 1992.
He makes a living as a painter, photographer and picture
framer. My approach to creating is formal yet playful, cerebral
yet child-like, energetic, intuitional and instinctual.
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Spirit 1
“…An angel of the Lord appeared…” [Luke 2:9]
mixed media, 2001 |
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Spirit 2
“… ‘Be not afraid…’"
[Luke 2:10]
mixed media, 2002 |
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Spirit 3
“ ‘I baptize you with water…he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ ” [Matthew 3:11]
mixed media, 2004
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Spirit 4
“…there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…” [Luke 2:13]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Spirit 5
“…the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.” [Luke 2:9]
mixed media, 2004
(Seminary Collection, Gift of Christianson Family)
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Spirit 6
The Annunciation
[Luke 1: 26-35]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Spirit 7
Pentecost [Acts 2:1-4]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Spirit 8
”…an angel of the Lord appeared…” [Luke 2:9]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Spirit 9
“ ‘…for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all people.’ ”
[Luke 2:10]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Spirit 10
“…there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…” [Luke 2:13]
mixed media, 2004
(Seminary Collection) |
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Three Angels
Triptych,
mixed media, 1991 |
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Keeping Watch
“There were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”
[Luke 2:8]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom , no.5
[Isaiah11:6-8]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom , no. 6
mixed media, 2004
“The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together” [Isaiah 11:7]
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom No.7
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom , no.8 (PML)
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom No.9
mixed media, 2004 |
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Peaceable Kingdom , no.10
mixed media, 2004 |
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Cow and Bear
(Isaiah 11:7)
mixed media 2004 |
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Early American Angel
(Jos. Rennals)
mixed media, 2004 |
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Early American Angel
(Abigail Manning)
mixed media, 1996 |
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