Description
This series of paintings is based upon the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ premier hymn, The Morning Breaks. "The morning breaks, the shadows flee; . . . The dawning of a brighter day, . . . Majestic rises on the world". "My goal," explains the artist, "is for the viewer of these paintings to visually comprehend the symbolism that is found within this hymn. Just as the glorious dawn dispels the shadows of darkness, the restored gospel promises light to a world waiting in spiritual darkness.”
In this painting, as the intense sun’s rays shine through the tree, the young prophet Joseph Smith can be seen shielding his eyes as he looks into the light of the First Vision. Closing the doors of the Apostasy, this historical event commenced the restoration and truly was the dawning of a brighter day.
Chad Hawkins began creating a series of temple prints in 1989, at the age of seventeen, to support his two-year mission in the Germany Frankfurt Mission. After graduating from Weber State University with a bachelor of fine arts degree, he pursued an art career that has taken him to six continents and over 100 temple locations. He has sold over a million works of art and written and illustrated seven publications. He enjoys outdoor recreation, including cycling and running. His favorite place to be is anywhere with his wife and family.