Painting a portrait of our Savior, that would be universally meaningful, and would convey His ultimate compassion, has been artist Kendra Burton’s desire as long as she can remember. A significant influence for the painting came when a friend of Kendra’s shared a scene from a film that was especially touching and inspiring:
“Jesus, as a grown man, sees his mother, Mary, sitting in a softly lit room. He kneels at her feet looking up into her eyes as he once did when he was young. He carefully seeks to find the right words to say as his mind is reminiscent of the many experiences they have shared as mother and son. He then tells her, “My time has come and is at hand.” Mary questions what he means to which he responds, “On the morrow they come for me.” Through her concerned expression she reminds him, “Oh Jesus, you have the power to save yourself.” Then with the most tender feelings, considering the magnitude of His Atonement which is soon to commence, he says, “Mother, it is for this purpose I have come into the world.”
A realization overcomes Mary and she wonders if this may be the last time she will see him alive. As tears fill her eyes she reaches out one last time to stroke her son’s hair and to gaze upon him as she once did when he was a child. His compassion toward his mother, as well as every soul in the world, radiates from his countenance as he willingly fulfills the purpose of his life.”
In the original Compassionate Christ oil painting, every eye color in the world is painted into Christ’s eyes. Kendra included a touch of blue, green, hazel, amber, brown, black etc. so that every viewer could see his or her own eyes reflected in the Savior’s eyes, that they might feel his very personal love and compassion for each individual on Earth.
Kendra said that as she was painting this piece, “I thought of all the relatives and ancestors who have gone before me. I know they are with the Savior. The Compassionate Christ was completed a month after my father passed away and my 9 year old twin daughter had passed away several years earlier. I like to believe these loved ones helped to influence this painting of our Savior.
Christ is real. He lives. His arms are open wide to encircle and embrace us as we experience the love of a very caring and Compassionate Christ.”
If you would like the Compassionate Christ art for your home it can be ordered at Deseret Book or Zion’s Mercantile.
Kendra Burton also composes music. You can have a free download of her song Come Unto Christ by clicking here.
Copyright © 2012 Kendra Parrish Burton
P.O. Box 712503, Salt Lake City, UT 84121-2503
Kendra’s current or upcoming events include:
Gospel in Art Show at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Gold Room (mezzanine level), 15 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, with 7 top name artists from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, General Conference week, April 2-6, 2014, includes free keepsake magazine with the artwork and stories behind the art.
Lunch and Learn at Downtown Deseret Book. Bring your lunch and watch Kendra demonstrate oil painting a translucent ocean wave and expressive eyes in portraits at 45 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, April 25, 2014, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Evergreen Art Gallery benefit event for NAMI. Come meet Kendra and other artists, enjoy excellent refreshments and purchase your favorite works which will provide benefits for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, April 25, 2014, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 3295 S. 2000 E. Salt Lake City, UT.
Salon NV Art Show. See Kendra’s art in this 15 piece collection, including originals, displayed throughout the elegant 2 story salon located at 250 S. 200 E., Salt Lake City, UT, through May 2014.
Art Classes and Seminars. Paint whatever your heart desires in oils, acrylics or pastels with television artist and instructor, Kendra Burton. Call 801-865-4770 for details.