I had this image come to me in a dream one night. It had the strangest affect on me. The boy Jesus was very calm and confident. Quietly content but also strangely sad. There was a strength in his demeanor. His eyes were gentle but determined at the same time. If you look closely, you can see that the image of the cross is already in view. It was as if he knew what awaited him, faced it with courage, and would not look to the right or left.
I will not forget this image.
Buy the original drawing.
Buy a print of this drawing.
My name is David Hayward, and I am the nakedpastor. I am a graffiti artist on the walls of religion.
Hauntingly moving! I am so glad you shared this, David.
Reminds me of John Prine’s song “Jesus, the Missing Years.” Thank you David.
The floating STORE banner seems to be continually getting in the way when attempting to read your blog on the iPhone. I’m guessing you didn’t intend for that to happen.
Hi Graham. Thanks for letting me know. Others have complained. The shop is a new feature and I’m still tweaking it to my customers’ satisfaction. I think I have fixed that problem. Check it out!
Freckles? That was my first reaction. I sort of have a knee-jerk reaction to Jesus being portrayed as the usual ‘caucasian’ type of look. I was going to be ‘oh-so-clever’ and post a link of Isreali/Palestinian/Jewish kid that I thought would be more representative. Imagine my chagrin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/velvetart/27568553/
The boys in this photo really moved me, and I thought you’ve captured the same in your picture. Freckles be damned. I can see your boy as clear as day in any one of the boys pictured.
Jews don’t tolerate the word g-d spoken or spelled, at least some of them, orthodoxological. And Muslims get upset if you represent Allah and prefer their sacred renderings geometrical. We (us Xtians) like to personify: make an image we can relate to–some kind stereotypical if not archetypical rendition. Icon, we call it. Till we stick it on the dashboard, and them maybe it’s an idol.
Hi Sam, as to the ‘dashboard’… I always thought it ironic that over the years people have sustained injuries, often to an eye, when they have a car accident and get stabbed by Jesus or Mary on their dash.
Nancy T, your comment and photo link reveal the beauty of doubt, as it often serves to invite greater awareness. Like you said, I can see your boy as clear as day in any one of the boys pictured. To my eyes, the picture you found compliments the drawing in an awesome way, with each boy displaying a different facet of the character and light that resides in David’s boy. Like snippets, they individually appear to contain the characteristics and combinations of the one David described and drew.
Coming to the photo after seeing the drawing felt like walking into the eyes of the one who knew what was awaiting him to find the humor, sensitivity, awareness, curiosity, interest, intent, and watchfulness present and beyond the cross and the grave
While David’s drawing is complete and enough by itself, the fruit of your skepticism provided me with the unexpected delight of an extra measure.
@Nancy T.,
“Freckles? That was my first reaction.”
I had freckles as a boy and I’m a dark complected Lebanese.