Q&A with Gaye Frances Willard
Author of Every Knee Shall Bow—A Christmas Collection
Q: Talk about how you felt when your painting was flagged as "violent" on Facebook last year.
A: My initial reaction was disbelief, followed by confusion. What could possibly be construed as “violent” in an image of Santa kneeling at the manger? But what I realized was that it was not the actual image that carried a message of “violence,” but the conversations that were the result of viewing it. It had provoked anger from two camps: those who opposed the person of Jesus Christ and those who opposed the depiction of Santa Claus and Jesus in the same space.
Q: What inspired that particular painting?
A: Even if I didn’t know Jesus, I’m certain that I would still love Christmas. I love the artistry of Christmas; the beauty of the lights, the bright colors of packages and bows, the sparkle and the festive mood. But because I know Jesus there is an element to Christmas that cannot be realized without Him. It is a quietness—a sense of awe and wonder. It is reverence. It is worship. And worship of the King is the inspiration and message of “Every Knee Shall Bow.”
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
A: Over the years, images of my paintings have been shared on social media and have sparked quite a lot of debate as to their meanings. Interestingly, the images seem to anger atheists and religious people alike. Then there are those who love anything with a Santa Claus. But every image contains a spiritual truth which became more and more important for me to share. There is a “why” behind every painting. Even though I know that art speaks a different message to different people, I felt a need to share what had compelled the creation of each of my pieces.
Q: You share in the book that an image appeared in the Every Knee Shall Bow painting that you did not create. Talk about that.
A: I purposefully drew a cross in the form of star over the baby Jesus because I felt that was more appropriate for the birth of Christ. But God had other plans. When I took a break and returned to my easel, there was a shadow image of the cross that I had not painted! It was perfectly positioned at the feet of Jesus. I got chills and started crying.
Q: Talk about some of the other paintings in the book and what inspired them.
A: In two words—loving Jesus! Each one of the paintings comes from an overwhelming desire to express that love. Some were inspired by actual events. “The Reason” is the result of my time in Africa as a missionary. I was accustomed to the “over-celebrating” of Christmas in my own culture and was forever impacted by the lack of it in another. Others, like “Behold the Lamb,” simply give imagery to scripture. Jesus came in human form so that we might see, hear and touch the unfathomable love of God. That is such a profound and life-changing truth! How can I help but share it in every way that I can?
A: My initial reaction was disbelief, followed by confusion. What could possibly be construed as “violent” in an image of Santa kneeling at the manger? But what I realized was that it was not the actual image that carried a message of “violence,” but the conversations that were the result of viewing it. It had provoked anger from two camps: those who opposed the person of Jesus Christ and those who opposed the depiction of Santa Claus and Jesus in the same space.
Q: What inspired that particular painting?
A: Even if I didn’t know Jesus, I’m certain that I would still love Christmas. I love the artistry of Christmas; the beauty of the lights, the bright colors of packages and bows, the sparkle and the festive mood. But because I know Jesus there is an element to Christmas that cannot be realized without Him. It is a quietness—a sense of awe and wonder. It is reverence. It is worship. And worship of the King is the inspiration and message of “Every Knee Shall Bow.”
Q: Why did you decide to write this book?
A: Over the years, images of my paintings have been shared on social media and have sparked quite a lot of debate as to their meanings. Interestingly, the images seem to anger atheists and religious people alike. Then there are those who love anything with a Santa Claus. But every image contains a spiritual truth which became more and more important for me to share. There is a “why” behind every painting. Even though I know that art speaks a different message to different people, I felt a need to share what had compelled the creation of each of my pieces.
Q: You share in the book that an image appeared in the Every Knee Shall Bow painting that you did not create. Talk about that.
A: I purposefully drew a cross in the form of star over the baby Jesus because I felt that was more appropriate for the birth of Christ. But God had other plans. When I took a break and returned to my easel, there was a shadow image of the cross that I had not painted! It was perfectly positioned at the feet of Jesus. I got chills and started crying.
Q: Talk about some of the other paintings in the book and what inspired them.
A: In two words—loving Jesus! Each one of the paintings comes from an overwhelming desire to express that love. Some were inspired by actual events. “The Reason” is the result of my time in Africa as a missionary. I was accustomed to the “over-celebrating” of Christmas in my own culture and was forever impacted by the lack of it in another. Others, like “Behold the Lamb,” simply give imagery to scripture. Jesus came in human form so that we might see, hear and touch the unfathomable love of God. That is such a profound and life-changing truth! How can I help but share it in every way that I can?
Christmas: Sacred or Secular? |
The miraculous cross in the painting |
Q: Some Christians might think Santa Claus and Jesus shouldn't be in the same painting. How do you respond?
A: I get that a lot! Some Christian retailers have refused to carry these images for that very reason. I understand, insofar as Santa Claus is not the reason for Christmas. Jesus is. And they are right, in a very religious sort of way. Because of His righteousness and our lack of it, Jesus really shouldn’t be in the company of sinners. Yet that is why He came. I am very aware of my own humanness, my own sin, brokenness, and need of a Savior. If He had not been willing to be in the presence of the likes of me, how could I ever be made worthy to stand in His? If I insist on separating the human from the Divine, the flesh from the Spirit, then I will never know the fullness of Christ. The two images are the artistic expression of what is true for me. I need Him in my life…in my brokenness…in my heart…with me. I desire the relationship His coming granted me and relationship requires close proximity. Jesus with Santa Claus is just my way of showing the Savior with the sinner. And the sinner doing what he is called to do—worship his Savior.
Q: What do you hope readers will gain from this book?
A: Throughout my lifetime, I have watched the attempts of a humanistic worldview try to obscure the message of the Gospel. During the Christmas season, I see a profound opportunity for followers of Christ to tell the story of Jesus. It is my desire to encourage believers to do just that. Seize the opportunity that the season grants us! Every day we face increasing pressure to keep our Christian beliefs and values to ourselves. Those who know Jesus are the only ones who can tell anyone who He is. I, for one, refuse to confine the Good News of His birth and life inside the four walls of a church. He came to offer peace to the entire world, and we are called to testify to that fact. I hope this book challenges every reader to take advantage of the designated time on our calendar called “Christmas.” We don’t need to spend our energy trying to make a secular society hold Jesus up as “the reason for the season.” They cannot share what they do not know. That is the job of the believer. If every disciple of Jesus makes it their personal mission to tell His story within this space of time so openly granted to us, it just might change the rest of the year. And that is my hope.
A: I get that a lot! Some Christian retailers have refused to carry these images for that very reason. I understand, insofar as Santa Claus is not the reason for Christmas. Jesus is. And they are right, in a very religious sort of way. Because of His righteousness and our lack of it, Jesus really shouldn’t be in the company of sinners. Yet that is why He came. I am very aware of my own humanness, my own sin, brokenness, and need of a Savior. If He had not been willing to be in the presence of the likes of me, how could I ever be made worthy to stand in His? If I insist on separating the human from the Divine, the flesh from the Spirit, then I will never know the fullness of Christ. The two images are the artistic expression of what is true for me. I need Him in my life…in my brokenness…in my heart…with me. I desire the relationship His coming granted me and relationship requires close proximity. Jesus with Santa Claus is just my way of showing the Savior with the sinner. And the sinner doing what he is called to do—worship his Savior.
Q: What do you hope readers will gain from this book?
A: Throughout my lifetime, I have watched the attempts of a humanistic worldview try to obscure the message of the Gospel. During the Christmas season, I see a profound opportunity for followers of Christ to tell the story of Jesus. It is my desire to encourage believers to do just that. Seize the opportunity that the season grants us! Every day we face increasing pressure to keep our Christian beliefs and values to ourselves. Those who know Jesus are the only ones who can tell anyone who He is. I, for one, refuse to confine the Good News of His birth and life inside the four walls of a church. He came to offer peace to the entire world, and we are called to testify to that fact. I hope this book challenges every reader to take advantage of the designated time on our calendar called “Christmas.” We don’t need to spend our energy trying to make a secular society hold Jesus up as “the reason for the season.” They cannot share what they do not know. That is the job of the believer. If every disciple of Jesus makes it their personal mission to tell His story within this space of time so openly granted to us, it just might change the rest of the year. And that is my hope.
About Gaye Frances Willard:
Gaye Frances Willard is an award-winning artist with commissioned portraits in both private and public collections worldwide. Her painting, “Every Knee Shall Bow,” was represented in an exclusive line bearing her name, and carried nationwide by Hobby Lobby and other retail outlets. In addition to her latest release, she is the author/illustrator of four children’s books as well as the book, “Common Sense Christianity for an Uncommon People.” She is a member of the Portrait Society of America and makes her home in Trinity, North Carolina. She and her husband, Eddie, have five children and fourteen grandchildren. For more information, visit www.portraitartistnc.com.