Let Mercy Lead: Rich Mullins (1955-1997) - 20th Anniversary Tribute. 2017 by Stephen B. Whatley
LET MERCY LEAD: Rich Mullins (1955-1997) - 20th Anniversary Tribute. 2017
A new portrait tribute of the American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, Rich Mullins (1955-1997) painted at the beginning of September 2017. Rich Mullins was tragically killed in an auto accident on this date, September 19 in 1997.
The oil painting was commissioned by a new American collector of mine, whose heartfelt and perceptive appreciation of my expressionist work has made her a dear friend too; and indeed I feel I know - have always known - this great singer and man of faith, like a friend.
I was touched to learn that his birthday was October 21 - also the date that the first native American Indian, Kateri Tekakwitha was made a Saint by the Catholic church in 2012 - so fitting, as in the late 1980s, the singer worked as a music teacher on a Native American Indian Reserve in Arizona.
The art of Rich Mullins was his music - through which he constantly expressed his unwavering faith in the Mercy of Jesus Christ - though he was far from a traditional Christian. Whilst he had a great devotion to the traditions of Christianity, through his deep innate faith - and indeed was moving towards the Catholic faith (with a great affection for Saint Francis of Assisi & Saint Elijah), at the time of his tragic passing - his early life was immersed in The Quakers testimonies of peace and social justice - that later inspired many of his lyrics.
He refused to hide the many personal life battles and struggles he encountered and indeed they became the foundation of many of his poetic lyrics; and the contemporary 'sermons' - often sprinkled with self- deprecating humour - that he felt lead to share at his concerts - all with the heartfelt aim and belief to share the message of the Mercy of Jesus - for all.
Jesus did not exclude anyone in society: His was - is - the most Unifying Heart - and this message resonates from the heart and soul of Rich Mullins - as is vividly evident from the quote from the man himself, with which I end this tribute.
This painting was as much about capturing the soulful essence of the man, through a selection of photographs (ranging from portraits to captures of him playing at his concerts) as about his music - so much of which I absorbed, in the build-up to the creation; and during breaks when painting over the duration of 3 days. Indeed the portrait's title was inspired by one of my favourites, 'Let Mercy Lead' (1995).
Rich's recording history dated from 1981 to 1997 - and his songs "I See You' Cry The Name' , 'An Awesome God' , We Are Not As Strong As We Think we Are', 'Elijah', 'Hold Me Jesus', 'Step By Step' 'Green' and 'Verge of A Miracle' are among those that echoed in my heart as I painted with prayers.
"Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you’ve done it to me. And this is what I’ve come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they’re just wrong. They’re not bad, they’re just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken-hearted..." - Rich Mullins, 1997.
Listen to Rich Mullins singing Let Mercy Lead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1QqrOfO3E0
More about Rich Mullins:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Mullins
Oil on canvas, 30 x 24in/76 x 61cm
Private collection, Virginia, USA
Let Mercy Lead: Rich Mullins (1955-1997) - 20th Anniversary Tribute. 2017 by Stephen B. Whatley
LET MERCY LEAD: Rich Mullins (1955-1997) - 20th Anniversary Tribute. 2017
A new portrait tribute of the American contemporary Christian singer and songwriter, Rich Mullins (1955-1997) painted at the beginning of September 2017. Rich Mullins was tragically killed in an auto accident on this date, September 19 in 1997.
The oil painting was commissioned by a new American collector of mine, whose heartfelt and perceptive appreciation of my expressionist work has made her a dear friend too; and indeed I feel I know - have always known - this great singer and man of faith, like a friend.
I was touched to learn that his birthday was October 21 - also the date that the first native American Indian, Kateri Tekakwitha was made a Saint by the Catholic church in 2012 - so fitting, as in the late 1980s, the singer worked as a music teacher on a Native American Indian Reserve in Arizona.
The art of Rich Mullins was his music - through which he constantly expressed his unwavering faith in the Mercy of Jesus Christ - though he was far from a traditional Christian. Whilst he had a great devotion to the traditions of Christianity, through his deep innate faith - and indeed was moving towards the Catholic faith (with a great affection for Saint Francis of Assisi & Saint Elijah), at the time of his tragic passing - his early life was immersed in The Quakers testimonies of peace and social justice - that later inspired many of his lyrics.
He refused to hide the many personal life battles and struggles he encountered and indeed they became the foundation of many of his poetic lyrics; and the contemporary 'sermons' - often sprinkled with self- deprecating humour - that he felt lead to share at his concerts - all with the heartfelt aim and belief to share the message of the Mercy of Jesus - for all.
Jesus did not exclude anyone in society: His was - is - the most Unifying Heart - and this message resonates from the heart and soul of Rich Mullins - as is vividly evident from the quote from the man himself, with which I end this tribute.
This painting was as much about capturing the soulful essence of the man, through a selection of photographs (ranging from portraits to captures of him playing at his concerts) as about his music - so much of which I absorbed, in the build-up to the creation; and during breaks when painting over the duration of 3 days. Indeed the portrait's title was inspired by one of my favourites, 'Let Mercy Lead' (1995).
Rich's recording history dated from 1981 to 1997 - and his songs "I See You' Cry The Name' , 'An Awesome God' , We Are Not As Strong As We Think we Are', 'Elijah', 'Hold Me Jesus', 'Step By Step' 'Green' and 'Verge of A Miracle' are among those that echoed in my heart as I painted with prayers.
"Jesus said whatever you do to the least of these my brothers you’ve done it to me. And this is what I’ve come to think. That if I want to identify fully with Jesus Christ, who I claim to be my Savior and Lord, the best way that I can do that is to identify with the poor. This I know will go against the teachings of all the popular evangelical preachers. But they’re just wrong. They’re not bad, they’re just wrong. Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in a beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken-hearted..." - Rich Mullins, 1997.
Listen to Rich Mullins singing Let Mercy Lead:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1QqrOfO3E0
More about Rich Mullins:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Mullins
Oil on canvas, 30 x 24in/76 x 61cm
Private collection, Virginia, USA