Josie Leicester's Faves

Stephen

Medium : Pen and Ink size : 11'' x 15'' Bristol Board Date : 1993 This study of a piano was done for a woman who was a missionary with her husband. They served in a Christian ministry that reached out to military personal and their families, through the teaching of the Holy Bible and showing hospitality. They have been missionaries most of their lives. I met them while i was a summer missionary the year I was in college. I went back two more summer to help , and they became my friends. The woman is a gifted piano player, so I was asked if i could do an illustration of her piano for her. This couple have inspired me through their dedication of using their lives to serve God through serving others, that many may know God through the teaching, and living out the Word before others.

Stephen

This painting started out as a pumpkin design for the Chads Ford, Pennsylvania, Historical Society’s Great Pumpkin Carve, which I have been participating in for the last eleven years. What inspired me to turn the design into a lasting painting was the message, made the design so relevant. It seems the message, which echoes louder and louder as each day passes; the force of heaven and hell are coming out of the dark and into the daylight. The dove in the painting has always been used in mankind’s history to represent hope, peace, and the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The sun in the Bible is called the greater light that governs the day. So, I used dove and the sun to represent the spiritual force of the heavenly kingdom that is seen and unseen in our world. The bat is known as a creature of the night, thought to be a foul creature that people fear. The moon in the Bible is called the lesser light, which was created to govern the night, to give light on to the earth at night. Nighttime is mentioned in the Bible as when men do their evil deeds. Before man invented methods to light the street and people’s homes, people limited their activity at night due to the absence of light. People with superstitious beliefs believe that demonic creature dwelt in the shadow and would attack them if they stepped out of the light. Another historical fact is that bandits would hide in the dark and rob night travelers. People also worked while it was daylight, then would party, get drunk, and sleep around at night. The Bible mentions that those who reject God’s Messiah do not come into the light because their deeds are evil, and they don’t want them to be exposed. So I chose to use the bat and the moon to symbolize the dark evil kingdom of the fallen angels. 168 The reason why the two creatures converge in the middle is because mankind is the centerpiece that both sides are contesting for. Man kind, in the beginning, was created as a holy creation. But just as Satan decided he was going to exalt himself above His Creator, he went to the rest of the angels to get them to join his army to dethrone God. When Satan and his army lost the battle for the heavenly kingdom, He turned his eyes to conquering the earthly realm by tempting mankind, who God had gifted the deed of the earth to. The devil possesses a snake to hold a conversation with man to deceive them into distrusting God and leading them to disobey the commandment from God not to eat from The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is how man became the middle battleground. God’s force is battling to restore mankind back to fellowship with God and regain their citizenship in God’s eternal kingdom. Satan and his army of fallen angels work on deceiving, afflicting, and destroying mankind in hope of taking as many as his army can drag to the eternal lake of fire, where God will throw everyone who has denounced Him as their God and king. (Sept 18, 2016) See Less

Stephen

Medium : Pen and ink on Bristol Board Size : 11" x 15 " Year illustration was done : 1987 This rendering of a broken down wagon, is part of a group of Pen and ink illustrations I did for a christian mission , for their pamphlet that was put together to imform the public about their services and ministry to the military members and their families. This mission reaches out to miltary through offering hospitality, Bible studies, holding retreats, and hosting luncheons for church groups. Military soldier who are in training also would come out to the rach to spend the weekend off post, to rest, learn the Bible , get home cooked meals, and enjoy out door recreation. I work as a summer missionary with this mission a couple of summer, helping with up keep of the ranch and helping with conducting the retreats. written by Stephen J. Vattimo

Stephen

The Meeting Bell Medium : Pen and Ink On Bristol Board Size : 11" x 15" Year illustration was completed : 1987 This illustration was part of a collection of pen and ink rendering i did for a christian mission, for their pamphlet that was published to inform the community, surrounding churches, and the military post near by, of the services they offered, and about their ranch. Their main ministry is to the military service personnel and their families. They offer a weekly dinner followed by a Bible study. They offer a place where service personnel could spend the weekend at the ranch for free, with meals included. There would also be activities they could partake in , such as going to concerts, going to amusement parks, visiting national park for picnics and hiking. The ranch holds retreat for military personnel who are in training, who want to learn about the Bible , and enjoy good home cooked food, rest, and out door recreation in the country. This ministry also lends it's facilities too near by churches, and to the military chaplaincy, for luncheons. This ministry is a great work of God, share God's word, and love through hospitality. About the bell. I call this illustration the meeting bell, because it sat right out side the activity center, and when ever a retreat was being held, the bell was use to let the guess know when a meal was being served, or a Bible study was about to begin. If you study the bell you can tell that at one time it must have been housed in some kind of church or fire house, by the big wheel attached to it's side, so it can be rung by a rope. Then when it found it's self at the ranch , they must have had a arm clacker manufactured, To strike the bell to sound.

Stephen

This is my study of the destroyed Darth Vader mask.from the movie Star Wars, "The Force Awakens. This ink rendering was my design for the pumpkin carving contest held every year at The Chadds Ford Pa Historical Society headquarter. I chose to do this mask because it illustrates what is the ultimate destination for all who chose to live in the darkness of sin,in stead of living in the the light of righteousness. The mask belong to the villain Darth Vader , who die while trying to force his son to join the dark side of the force. So I thought the destroyed mask over the letters "The Dark Side Of The Force." reflect the Biblical principle " Sin gives birth to death." Written by Stephen J.Vattimo Oct 24,2016

Stephen

This pen-and-ink illustration was done for the cover of a church statement of faith. I named this illustration Foundation of America because I believe this country was founded by Christians who had strong faith in the God of the Bible, and through faith, prayer, and sacrifice, the patriots overcame the mighty British military. By the hand of God, a new nation was born: the United States of America. When the United States was filled with God-fearing people, God raised the country to be a super power, and the world envied the United States and flocked to her shores, the land of freedom and opportunity. Now this country has forgotten the God who gave birth to her and now is setting up new idols to worship: idols of wood, stone, metals that do not hear or see or care. Because the United States has forgotten God, it has been plagued with storms, tornadoes, floods, droughts and her enemies are waging war with her, waiting to celebrate her fall. It is my hope and prayer that people who love this country will return to honoring God and return to giving Him thanks for all the great works He has done for this nation and turn from our sins and follow God by obeying His Word: the Holy Bible. That God will remove His hand of judgment and His blessing may return to our country. This church was fist built in 1890 and is still being used as a church. It is in Norristown, Pennsylvania. This was the first Bible-believing church I attended when I became a Christian. (October 28, 2017)