PORT TOWNSEND — Grace Lutheran Church, 120 Walker St., recently celebrated the dedication of a 4-foot-by-6-foot painting by Richard Jesse Watson.
The painting now hangs in the church’s entryway.
Watson is a Port Townsend author and illustrator, specializing in children’s books (www.richardjessewatson.com).
“The painting is an inspiration to our worship as it evokes the themes of the Holy Spirit represented as a dove and the bread and wine of Holy Communion,” the Rev. Coe Hutchison said.
“There’s many a time,” Watson said, “I’ve gotten lost in a painting. Not lost like, ‘Help me, Obi Wan, you’re my only hope,’ but more, ‘Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.’
“I loved working on the commissioned painting for Grace Lutheran Church and enjoyed exploring the many layers and subtleties.
“The goal was to create a piece that reflected the ethos and welcoming spirit of the fellowship, while echoing the ‘bones’ of the architecture, interior details, stained glass windows by Mark Gulsrud and the exquisite artistry of Russell Jaqua,” Watson continued.
The public is welcome to visit.
Phone the church at 360-385-1595 to ensure the building is open.