Happy Donut Day!

Apparently, today is the feast day of the Sacred Donut. And no artist captures the wonder and awe of the Doughnut (as some heathens spell it) like Eric Joyner.

Joyner explores in his art the questions of free will and the Sovereignty of God by showing that all of us are really just cool tin robots. Each is unique and beautiful in its own appearance and giftedness, but all are earthbound, limited in their abilities. We are not, for all of our shortcomings, less loved by our Creator, however. Yet the question remains: Are we all by nature, as Joyner endeavors to show in "Caught Again," "bad toys"?

In the Donut, the metallic inhabitants of Joyner's paintings find joy and purpose, but also terror!

The Donut is, of course, a circle and thus, a symbol of eternity. However, occasionally we see it depicted in a twist or jelly-filled style. By this, we may understand that God does not always appear or act as we expect.

The Donut is the source of life, as we see in "Gangenstein," a depiction of the Golem myth by way of the early Frankenstein films. Seen here, instead of lightning imparting the spark of life (itself an homage to Michelangelo's "Creation of Adam" on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel,) the life force flows from the Sacred Donut!

And here is another depiction of the Donut as the Source of life. In juxtaposing the human being with a locomotive engine, we are reminded that the Donut is, at its base, bread--the staff of life, and fuel for us all.

But the Donut is also sweet, and delightful to partake of. This recalls the words of Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good!" Thus, in "Donut Redemption," the central figure seems to have an ecstatic experience of being showered with the Donut's Goodness!

So, have a Donut and some coffee, and enjoy the religio-mystical artwork of Eric Joyner!