For my dear friend Mary.

Mary Mary,
I painted this for you. In 2006 you gave me the oil paint set because you didn't have anyplace to put it, and I promised you I'd paint something for you. I finished this sometime in 2007 and I've been meaning to get it to you ever since. It is my first attempt working in oils and while it is really a small study of a photograph that I took of the Christus statue in SLC, I think it says a lot. Looking at it reminds me of how much I have to learn about painting and how much more I have still to learn about the atonement of Christ. It also reminds me that good people are placed in our lives to make things happen; this painting is the result of your kindness and generosity to me. The color in the image includes many shades of blue. I'm sure the use of color in this painting could be refined to a higher level, but I like the rawness of it. It reminds me of when I was trying to understand the color blue in each stoke I put on the canvas. It also reminds me of how the Savior truly understands blue, our blues, every shade, every instance, no matter how intense or wide-spread. He knows our sorrows and our hearts. There is no better place or better person to receive this original painting than you. Thank you. Thank you.

Your friend,
ryans