Contemporary Artists

 

CookChris Cook. Southern artist Chris Cook works in a variety of media. Likely influenced by his work as a commercial illustrator, exposure through books on other artist and his experimentation as an artist, his work began to take on many different looks and he also moved into dimensional art – sculpture. His spiritual paintings cover a variety of Old and New Testament themes. The thumbnail on the right shows his interpretation of the epiphany on the Mountain of Transfiguration.  

BonnellDaniel Bonnell. Take some time to wander through the beautiful website of artist Daniel Bonnell to see a remarkable collection of striking works in mixed media on a variety of biblical topics. You can find out more about the artist here, and please also consider joining Bonnell’s free patron community by clicking here. Bonnell’s art may be found in private collections and churches around the world. A graduate of the Atlanta College of Art, he continued his studies under the direction of renown photographer Ansel Adams and, later, the French Dominican Monk Pere Couturier, who was responsible for encouraging Henri Matisse to create sacred art. 

LawrenceMark Lawrence. Even a quick trip to artist Mark Lawrence’s website will reveal a visually stunning style you’ve likely never seen before. Lawrence innovated what he calls the “Painting With Light” technique in 2006 with a desire to express God’s word more deeply through his spiritual art. The special digital process re-renders his art using the selected Bible verse that inspired the original painting as a paintbrush. Lawrence writes, Creating and sharing art is something that I just have to do or I’ll explode. I am so blessed that God has allowed me to be used in this way. I am driven by a mission and a vision to share God’s Word with the billions of searching people who need Jesus in their lives. 

McBeeRichard McBee. Born in 1947, McBee studied painting at the Art Students League of New York and has dealt exclusively with subject matter from the Torah and Jewish history in figurative narratives since 1976.  The subject matter of his paintings includes classic Old Testament stories. Additionally he has made many figurative relief sculptures, unique ceramic menorahs and other Judaica. In 1991 he was one of the founding members of the American Guild of Judaic Art. Find his website here. 

McKillopIain McKillop. Working mostly in the field of Christian religious works of mixed media, English artist Iain McKillop is another favorite of our community of faith. Find out more about this artist and his striking style at his website here. The artist lives in England and his creative works may be found in a wide variety of locations including private homes, historic sites, public locations, and churches and cathedrals. Perhaps some of McKillop’s most striking works are those associated with the events leading up to, including, and after the Passion of Christ. 

 

 

RatnerPhilip Ratner. Internationally-renowned multimedia artist and native Washingtonian, Phillip Ratner is the grandson of Ellis Island immigrants. Also known as “The Artist of Ellis Island,” numerous Ratner bronzes can be found at the base of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and in the National History Museum at Ellis Island. Ratner works in sculpture, painting, glass, tapestry, drawing, lithography and the graphic arts. In 1984, he opened The Israel Bible Museum in Safad, Israel. Ratner also spent time in Israel using sculpture, painting and graphics to design more than 250 works of art relating to the Hebrew Bible. Ratner has degrees from Pratt Institute and American University, and for 23 years taught in Washington, D.C. area public schools. He continually builds his reputation as an international artist.