Tradition Studio: Fine Art by Matt Philleo

Gallery » passingThrough

Passing Through

30" x 15"
Acrylic on Panel
$750.00

In the early and mid-1800's thousands of families in America travelled the Oregon Trail, making their way from Missouri or Kansas, all the way to Oregon. Protected only by covered wagons, plodding along as fast as their overused oxen could take them, they braved brutal weather conditions, disease, and attacks from hostile Indian tribes with true pioneer spirit--knowing that a place of prosperity awaited them at the end.

As Christians, we are just sojourners in this world, people on the path to a better destination. This world is not our home. We are just passing through. In fact, the things that seem so permanent, so formidable, and worthy of our attention are actually just mirages. In 2 Cor. 4:18 it says, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

My painting shows a man on a camel riding through a lifeless midwestern town, obviously out of place, perhaps even jeered at from time to time, but not veering off the path. He is not distracted by the pleasures of this world, for he can see the world as it is: a "ghost town." He continues towards the narrow gate. He is focused on the goal--eternal life--and the One who holds the key to it: Jesus Christ.