JESUS TEACHES THE DISCIPLES
RUDOLPH VALENTINO BOSTIC
“Then Jesus opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Luke 24:45-53
JACOB LOVES RACHEL
RUDOLPH VALENTINO BOSTIC
“Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to marry to her.”
DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN
RUDOLPH VALENTINO BOSTIC
“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “0 Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you front the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “0 king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, 0 king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
Daniel 6: 16-23
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Known best for his biblical images, Rudy noted that he did enjoy watching TV, with elements of popular culture showing up frequently in his work, sometimes as stand-alone themes or worked into his biblical stories. At least he was watching educational television, and the viewer knew when Rudy had been watching the travel channel or the history channel.
Art books borrowed from his local library also gave Rudy inspiration, integrating stylistic elements from old masters, from chiaroscuro to cubism. Rudy’s bold sharpie marker lines, vibrant colors and metallic paints lend his paintings a quality reminiscent of stained glass.
Mr. Bostic began his adult painting career while working in a bakery; he noticed images of Jesus and other biblical themes on certain boxes that came into the bakery filled with ingredients. He asked if he could take these special boxes home. Once there, he painted out what he alone could see in the cardboard…a true visionary, his work is now a part of the permanent collection of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA.
Rudy’s use of inexpensive materials reminded us of other southern self-taught artists such as Jimmy Lee Sudduth or Sam Doyle. But his flamboyance, his breadth of subject matter and his varied artistic influences put Rudy Bostic in a class by himself.