15-Minute Stations of the Cross for Kids
Illustrated book
Digital art
15-Minute Stations of the Cross for Kids by Jared Dees includes 14 full page black and white illustrations depicting the day of Jesus’s crucifixion, as well as six smaller chapter page icons and full color cover art. The author of this book challenged me to create illustrations of this violent and solemn day in a manner suitable for children. At the same time, it was important to not dilute the emotional impact of these events. There was also an additional challenge: the Stations of the Cross have been depicted innumerable times over centuries; what new perspective or approach could I share? Before I viewed any reference images, I reflected on each station and tried to imagine how the events may have played out. What would the individuals in each scene have been doing, and how would they have reacted to their situations? What angle or point-of-view would best frame the scene? After sketching my initial impressions, I looked at paintings and sculptures to find ways I could improve on my drawings without directly copying other artists or relying on cliches. My hope is that the comic book-like approach that I took—inspired by traditional art—appeals to children and communicates the events in a new and engaging way.
