James Ellison
"Guardian"
pastel
print, edition limited to 395
image size: 9 in x 12 in

This mountain scape was done along the Angeles Crest. It is of a sunrise in May and the ram has just walked out of the thicket in front of you. The original is an 18" x 24" pastel completed in 1991.

In this picture the edges of the mountains, the rocks on the left and the slope of the land follow the implied lines of the rays of the sun as they go before you to turn night into day. In the sky the dark blue of helplessness turns to the light blue of hope. The slope of the land leads you to the feet of the ram. The ram with the rocks behind and the evergreen tree form a barrier to block your eyes from moving any further to the right. The lower rocks, the head of the ram, and the rocks on the left form a "V" shape to draw your eyes to the path that leads down and up to the next slope in the distance. The rich red of the pine needles on the ground give a sense of potential for growth from their death. The sunlight upon the ram makes his horns glow with an inner power and his body shine with an external power. The green of the bushes and evergreens create a sense of renewal for this is the dawning of the eighth day of creation. Yet on your way to renewal God may put barriers in your path. But they are there because God loves you and wants the best for you. You may have to go down before you can go up in life, but God goes before you as the sun that lights your path and as the ram who will watch over you guarding the rear.

The Bible text which I have selected for this picture is Isaiah 52:12.