Books of the Bible Windows poster

I truly hope this new visual translation of the Books of the Bible as a window and poster is helpful for religious education teachers, students and all who are searching for truth through our good God of beauty. May the windows of our lives receive light through the Word—"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light" (Psalm 36:9).

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> Email me if you're interested in placing larger orders for schools or organisations.

AMDG

~ Jane

In January 2022 I started illustrating the Books of the Bible Windows poster. The genesis of the story began in late 2021 when a friend who happens to be a theology lecturer showed me a basic diagram that he’d put together to show the books of the Bible on a bookshelf (as an educational resource for his students). He then asked me, “have you ever thought about creating a books of the Bible artwork?”

My first thought was, 'well, not really, I mean, I’m no biblical scholar, how in the heavens would I do that?' Soon, as providence would have it, other people within Christian / Catholic schools and religious circles (NZ, AU, USA) also asked me about Bible resources around that time. So, I prayed, and over the next few months, the project stayed in my heart. As time passed, my love of stained glass windows and traditional etching art also stayed, moving me to think...

Why don’t I create an artwork poster for the Catholic Bible in stained glass and etching?

And really, let's go big!

As I began the project, its main focus was to create an art resource for all Christian / Catholic schools in NZ, AU, USA and beyond. I really had no idea what I was about to embark on... I had to trust a strong inner pull to create this artwork, and, yes, comically, this led to many *hand to forehead* and *really God!?* moments over the almost eight months it took to complete this project. We are all invited to discern our inner callings, perhaps Saint Jerome knew this when he first translated the Old Testament into Latin from the original Hebrew—trusting his call, little did he know what translations would follow. “Literature, art and even popular language have continually been shaped by Jerome’s translation of the Bible, leaving us great treasures of beauty and devotion" (1).

Continual listening led me to say yes to creating this new Catholic Books of the Bible Windows poster. With research, I discovered that there are no other visual translations of the Catholic Bible like this. As an NZ Christian / Catholic artist the project required many many “come holy spirit moments” (as my Godmother used to say). I started out sketching by hand, piecing together window shapes, and how they could come together to fit onto available paper sizes. Also drawing flora, scroll sizes, shapes and window details. I soon realised there would be numerous changes, and considering that I value what I have left of my sanity, I switched it up and went the digital route (thanks to Apple Pencil).

Over many late nights and weekends, much community help, and a lot of research the scripture artwork poster came to life. I could not have completed it without the help from others, I'm deeply grateful for the support from my community, Auckland lecturers at the Catholic Theological College (especially Fr Merv Duff SM), Te Kupenga staff, teachers, friends and family in the USA, AUS and Aotearoa NZ (thanks mum). All encouraged me when I felt like giving up. Community gifts us more than we can imagine or can ever do alone. This new Bible artwork has been created by community, for community (AMDG).

Christian / Catholic schools and churches have a rich tradition of beauty through painting, stained glass and etchings. The document Via Pulchritudinis (The Way of Beauty) highlights the role of beauty as a powerful tool to open our hearts to God's ways—highlighting how religious education is understood, and hearts are changed through beauty. My big hope/dream is for this poster to be in every school! I also hope this connects and inspires other Christian / Catholic artists to create beautiful modern education resources too (just like the beauty I also experience through the Word on Fire Bible).

May we be mindful that God is alive in scripture today and hold close to our hearts “the advice that Jerome unceasingly gave to his contemporaries: “Read the divine Scriptures constantly; never let the sacred volume fall from your hand”(1). We would be very grateful if you would consider purchasing a print of this educational art resource for your school, parish, home or community organisation. If you are also aware of a school that cannot afford a print, then please get in touch—I will try to remedy that, ALL students should have access to this work.

> Click Here to Purchase your Print <

> Email if you're interested in placing larger orders for schools or organisations.

Click on the images to view full images with descriptions, and learn how the artwork process unfolded below.

As a Christian artist, I truly hope this new visual translation / Books of the Bible Windows poster / RE resource is helpful for religious education teachers, students and all who are searching for truth through our good God of beauty. May the windows of our lives receive light through the Word—"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light"(2).

AMDG.

~ Jane

(1) Scripturae Sacrae Affectus

(2) Psalm 36:9

4. Scrolls, Books and Letter Sizes

After sorting out a rough outer size / frame shape I then sketched up some more scroll shapes. After chatting with theologians about this I focused on ways to honour Jesus’ Jewish roots and the Old Testament tradition. I researched synagogues and learned about how scrolls are housed within the Ark. For example; A Torah ark refers to an ornamental chamber in synagogues that house the Torah scrolls.

I was then able to look at how they might fit within a window shape. To give an accurate visual account of the size of each ‘book’—the width of the scrolls, the size of the New Testament codices and letters and are determined by how many chapters they represent in the bible. Basically the bigger the scroll the more chapters it takes up in the Bible.

4. Scrolls, Books and Letter Sizes

4. Scrolls, Books and Letter Sizes

4. Scrolls, Books and Letter Sizes

8. Symbols

After looking at how the Old Testament (OT) and New Testament (NT) could be shown / housed within a window shape I also found out through research that a lot of jewish scrolls have fabric coverings with beautiful embroidery. That led me to imagine symbols on each of the scrolls as a way to highlight what is in each. Hmmm I would come back to the symbols later.

Symbols were also used behind the scrolls, books and letters. The acacia tree was drawn because the Ark is traditionally made from Acacia wood. The fruits and flowers also link with what is described in the books in those windows (more on that later).

8. Symbols

9. Frame Etching Details

After drawing the basic scroll size and placement, I focused on how to draw the framing for the windows and think about how they could work together as a whole. I wanted to go for a gothic style, so I researched with books from the late 1800’s - early 1900’s. Learning and absorbing how to draw the framing shape in an etching style too.
Researching gothic window shapes through old books led me to sketch out some brick / concrete illustrations to house the main 5 windows. Eventually I figured it was better to go for a simpler etching / concrete style—less detail on the framing, the more attention to be paid to the windows.

9. Frame Etching Details

9. Frame Etching Details

9. Frame Etching Details

9. Frame Etching Details

9. Frame Etching Details

Design details:

> The etching line details can remind us of the delicate intimacy and intricacy of God's patient ways in our lives.

> The stained glass imagery can remind us that God is always shining through in our lives, revealing through the Word.

If we look towards something it can become like an icon. But, if we look through the Word, like looking through stained glass windows we can experience revelation in every place and space.

> The scroll, codices and letter size are based on the amount of text in the Bible. For example, the book of Genesis has 50 chapters, so it takes up about half of the width of the window.

> The tree that flows from left to right is an acacia tree. The acacia tree wood was used to create the ark box that carries the ark of the covenant. The tree and light on the windows show the light starting with genesis. Natural light also streams through the windows from the right (New Testament). Old and New come together.

> The pieces of glass are held together and drawn with ‘came’. The colours illustrated are very accurate to how the colours would need to be separated if actually made with stained glass.

Fruits, flowers and more:

Pentateuch: Wheat, Bees, Lady Bugs, Grass, Myrtle Communis, Dates, Olives, Erodium Crassifolium, Apricots, Pomegranate

Historical: Wheat, Grass, Bees, 5 Stones, Golden Flowers, Olives, Blood of the Maccabees, Figs, Peas, Thistle, Dove

Wisdom and Poetry: Bullrush, Grass, Bees, Deer, Eagle, Lily of the Valley, Delphinium, Apples, Dates, Roses, Madonna Lily, Thistle

Prophets: Owl, Shepherd, Sheep, Locust, Swift / Swallow, Grass, Leeks, Dog Chamomile, Crocus or Meadow Saffron, Almonds, Anemone / Poppy (Lily of the Field), Dates, Daffodils, Tulips, Roses, Grapes and Vine

New Testament: Magi, Lady Bug, Dragonfly, Butterflies (transformation), Wheat, Grapes and Vines, Crocus, Grass, Anemone / Poppy (Lily of the Field), Dog Chamomile, Flowers, Acorns and Leaves

Top Windows:
Alpha and Omega, Two gold Cherubim (they sit on top of the Ark of the Covenant), 12 Stars (12 Tribes and 12 Apostles), Trinity, Scroll (left), Parchment paper (right) – joining together with the Trinity and all colours of the rainbow (new covenant).

Symbols:
Visual symbols can be found on each scroll, these visual translations represent some of the stories/meaning told within each book, codices and letters.

Surprises / ‘Easter Eggs’:
There are also little surprises or what artists call ‘easter eggs’ with small symbolism that can be found throughout the background imagery – all created for you to discover. You might even find a unicorn head in the New Testament! Unicorns have been used to symbolise Christ through history (especially in the middle ages).

Ideas for teaching:

Cover up the words with post-it notes and have students guess the contents based on the symbol?

Cover up the symbols and have students create symbols for each?

Ask students to create their own symbols, fruits and flowers for each section

Useful links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animals_in_the_Bible

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ark-of-the-Covenant

https://www.csu.edu.au/special/accc/biblegarden/plants-of-the-garden

https://www.catholic.org/bible/books_bible.php

https://www.beginningcatholic.com/books-of-the-catholic-bible

> Click Here to Purchase your Print <

> Email Jane to place larger orders for schools or organisations.