Exquisite from the inside out, the NIV Artisan Collection Bibles invite you to journal or draw alongside Scripture while delighting in the beauty of the cover, featuring a unique expressionist art piece by painter Leslie Vann. The carefully composed interior features the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface in a double-column typesetting, allowing you to carry this Bible wherever you go.
Bible Gateway interviewed Leslie Kehl Vann (@leslie_kehl_vann), abstract expressionist artist for the cover of the NIV Artisan Collection Bible (Zondervan, 2022).
Please describe your artistic method.
Leslie Kehl Vann: My painting technique can most closely be described by the style of Abstract Expressionism—although I intend to go beyond it and call my personal technique, “Painting by the Spirit.” Where Abstract Expressionism and I are similar is that we value the inherent significance of the creative process as a means of revealing or expressing what’s inside the artist. Where we differ is that where the abstract expressionists were influenced by Jungian psychology, I’m motivated to express specifically how the Spirit sanctifies and changes me through encountering his Word and thus leads me increasingly toward my real “true self” as I seek to become more like Christ.
Therefore, my painting technique is truly a blend of various physical paint applications and real time practice of the spiritual disciplines or graces–some spontaneous and some structured. These apparent tensions are an expression of the reality in my own life where I seek to live with purpose while remaining open-handed with my well-intentioned, but often short-sighted plans in favor of God’s most beautiful and sovereign ones (Romans 8:28-29).
For visual spontaneity I regularly combine a variety of mediums and additives applied directly to the canvas. My favorite additive to use is denatured alcohol combined with latex paint or acrylic paint. It causes crackling and a variety of textures and varying levels of viscosity. Some of my favorite painting techniques are double loading, palette knife, scraping, pouring, dripping, and splattering, etc. I love being surprised by these combinations and then having to react to the effects in real time. This approach lends itself to a moment of “creative surrender.” Often, the artwork starts going in a direction different than I had imagined. This is probably the most crucial part of my process and where I practice spontaneous spiritual disciplines such as surrender and breath prayers. In these moments I stop to reaffirm my dependence on Christ to achieve anything of true excellence and remember that I’m already loved and accepted by God because of Christ and that it’s not dependent on my performance. As I’ve practiced this discipline in my artwork, it’s become more second nature in the rest of my life.
To create visual structure, I rely heavily on color symbolism, color theory as well as the other formal elements and principles of art such as texture, line, movement, balance, and contrast. In order to create spiritual structure, I regularly listen to worship music while I paint and intentionally take time at the beginning of each piece to consider the verse I’m using as my subject and pray for guidance on how my composition can effectively communicate its truth.
I believe this intentional process of prayer/dedication before I begin to paint is integral to creating a work of art that will truly be used by the Spirit to touch the spirit of another person. Just as Scripture says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of,” I believe the same principle applies to any expression of our body—so therefore my hands are communicating what’s in my heart as well (Luke 6:45).
I’m also structured in how I use a variety of paint applications in hopes of honoring the triune Godhead. For example, almost all my pieces have some metallic paint. This represents the majesty of the Father and his sovereignty over all things. I like to incorporate drips and splatters to represent the Spirit—often organically letting them be influenced by the wind if I’m painting outside or a fan if I’m painting in the studio. It reminds me of John 3:8 “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” To represent the Son, I often lay the “foundation” or background of my piece with paint applied in alternating horizontal and vertical strokes with a palette knife. This creates a cross-like pattern which is reminiscent of the Cornerstone I’ve built my life upon.
How do you get your inspiration for your artwork?
Leslie Kehl Vann: Subject wise, I draw inspiration from the study of the Bible and the peace of soul it provides as I chose to trust him. If the piece is a commission, I ask the client to share with me any passage of Scripture or biblical principle that’s been particularly meaningful to them. I want my artwork to function as an “ebenezer stone” in their home reminding them of God’s past faithfulness and encouragement to trust him in the present and future.
With regards to inspiration for my painting technique, I’ve always loved the artwork of Vincent Van Gogh, the former minister turned post-Impressionist painter. His use of color, the impasto painting technique, and his love for people and desire to know and be known deeply makes him a true hero in my book. He is also thought by some in the art history world to be a forefather of the Abstract Expressionist Movement. Of this group of artists, I especially enjoy the work of Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler for their Avant Garde use of paint, texture, and color. Whereas these artists were often expressing theirs and the world’s collective angst following World War Two, I’m attempting to use a similar painting technique to express the timeless truth of “the peace that passes all understanding” that’s available to all who trust in Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:6-7).
[Read the Bible Gateway Blog post, Zondervan Publishes 2021 Artisan Collection Bibles]
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What do the paintings used on these covers mean to you?
Leslie Kehl Vann: I’d like to answer that in a couple of ways. First, the fact that my artwork is on the cover of God’s Word is truly the best commission and highest honor I could ever be given. God’s Word endures forever. My work will fade away, but his will remain (this is one reason I intentionally do not varnish my pieces and sign most on the back of the canvas). It’s also indescribably special that right before my father went to be with the Lord, I was able to tell him that although I may not be able to pass down our family surname, his name and legacy will be represented through me and these covers.
With regard to the meaning of each of these paintings—at the time I was commissioned these represented the “bookends” of my collective work professionally. The team at Zondervan did not know that when they selected them, but it was a very special nod from the Lord that he saw me and the work I was seeking to do for his glory.
“Your Word V” was literally created during my first painting session after the Lord called me to pick up my brushes again. I had been in a difficult season for some time and had been unable/unwilling to paint. That morning in between waking and the lingering stillness of the morning hours the Father gently whispered to my spirit, “My Word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path” followed with “Get up and paint” (Psalm 119:105). What resulted from that experience was the beginning of a new approach to God, myself, and my art philosophy. One where I dared to believe I was unconditionally and lavishly loved by God and therefore free to try, fail, and try again. This was where my artwork and design aesthetics became an extension of my journey of faith and freedom through Jesus Christ.
The other painting, “The Magnificat,” was created during Advent and coincided with another failed fertility attempt. In truth, I had originally set out to create this piece to accompany a new rug I had recently acquired for my dining room, but since it was Advent, I also had been marinating on the Scriptures in Luke surrounding the birth of Jesus. I had been particularly moved by Mary’s willingness to submit to God’s plan for her life, realizing that it was also not how she had expected her story to unfold. Also, God gently began opening my eyes to see that he had already given me a child—a Son—and he was the only Child I could place all my hope in and where I could find true joy and purpose. He reawakened me to the multifaceted hope of the gospel not only for my eternal life but also for this present one.
My mother and sister always like to “find” the unintended, subconscious, somewhat realistic imagery my painting style lends itself to. My mom told me it looked like Mary was in the top right part of the canvas. When I looked at it more intently, I did indeed see that some of the paint was grouped in such a way as to express this young girl tenderly bending over to embrace her swollen abdomen. It was a word for me: “treasure the Treasure I have already been given” and “nourish the life that is true Life.” I did not set out to create this image, but God knew my heart needed more than the thrill of a newly designed room with a coordinating rug and painting, a pregnancy, or anything less than the reminder that God still comes to us in the midst of our ordinary lives to tell us he is Immanuel, God with us!
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How do you hope your artwork inspires others?
Leslie Kehl Vann: Simply put, I pray my artwork inspires others to know Christ personally, love his Word, and join him in living out his purpose for their lives. It’s the best adventure, most beautiful treasure, and solid hope available on this earth and beyond.
What is a favorite Bible passage of yours and why?
Leslie Kehl Vann: One of my most favorite Bible passages is Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” I love this verse because it reminds me where true life, direction, joy, pleasure, and power is to be found—God himself. My greatest desire is to be faithful to God by knowing, enjoying, and glorifying him with and in my everyday life. This verse is a powerful tool to expel and expose false loves and loyalties that arise along the way on this side of Heaven. It functions as the contact lens or glasses that realign my vision to what truly matters.
The NIV Artisan Collection Bible is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.
Bio: Leslie Kehl Vann is an abstract expressionist painter whose compositions explore the mysterious relationship between spontaneity and structure as well as the inherent significance of the creative process itself. She draws inspiration from the study of God’s Word and the peace of soul it provides. Her paintings seek to visually interpret this journey through a method she likes to call “painting by the Spirit,” where the overflow of her dependent, Spirit-filled heart comes through the expression of her surrendered hands with the intention of truly blessing those who view her work. She and her husband, Adrian, live in Georgia with their three fur babies.
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