A Geek Diary

Personally, I consider myself agnostic/non-committal when it comes to religion – however my mate Dan from Uni invited me to his full-immersion baptism at the end of last week.  I’d seen one before, but it was quite different.  He seemed happy and comfortable with the event, and happy in what he was committing to for the future.  He’s my mate.  I’m proud of him, and I’m glad that I drove over there to support him on his (and his cousin’s) “big day”.

As I had no idea what one should buy one’s adult friend as a baptism gift, I asked if he’d like me to do a painting.  I knew he was quite into angels and often felt temptation getting in his way – so I suggested that I paint him an angel for his room, so that he had one watching over him at home. He liked the idea and I set to work.

While he didn’t want “spoilers” – I did make sure that I ran ideas past him (such as the anime style) so that I’d be sure there would be a chance that he’d like it!  I started by spraying the canvas with silver/chrome car-paint, then using house paint (plus acrylic for the black) to paint the wings, Kaworu (from Neon Genesis Evangelion) as the angel, and the verse on the wings.  I wanted to pick something I thought might give him strength – and the wording of 2 Samuel 22, verse 33  – taken specifically from the New International Version – I felt did a good job of putting across the sentiment I was trying to convey.

I also wrote a personal note (including the date) around the back of the frame, as a memory for him, and to tell him that I was proud of him as a friend.