The Covenant by James Seward

I find it a great honor that Somerset Fine Art has entrusted me to paint these pictures depicting Christ. I realize it is my responsibility to paint these depictions as scripturally and historically accurate as possible. It takes much research as well as scriptural insight.
In Biblical times at a feast with a large gathering, the tables were placed in a U shape, so that the serving people would have access to the guests. I needed to find authentic vessels and containers to place the food on.
These would be baskets, pitchers, terracotta goblets, and some metal pieces. For the oil lamps, I molded one in clay and baked it. I set the tables up with some fake foods as well as real foods, and I placed candles on the table to simulate the illumination of the lamps.
My two sons, my wife, Lyn, and other friends posed for the figures. They were dressed in representative clothes of the era, and I created a light source appropriate for the position of each in the painting.
Since people do not have time to pose for long periods of time, we used a digital camera to photograph everything and printed them on the computer so I could refer to them easily while painting.
This is a Passover feast. Some may call it the Last Supper. Jesus is about to show his cup and say, This is my blood, which is shed for you. Several near him are praying. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going away (John, Chapters 12-17), and the Father is going to send another comforter, which is the Holy Spirit. He says in John 14:20 that on that great day (Pentecost) You will know that I am in you and you are in me.
In verse 21 he promises to manifest himself to the believer, and in so many words explains that the Holy Spirit is given to make Jesus real inside of us. Chapter 17 concludes the evening speaking of that inner union of Christ and the believer as a reality. My great desire is that this painting and its message will be a blessing to all.