[Audio Description of "Have Faith"]

UNC Greensboro University Libraries

2021

All rights reserved

English

D021-A

2 minutes, 11 seconds

The 8.5x11 watercolor illustration titled Have Faith, by Ioana Anghelescu depicts a surreal landscape in which two large hands are seen emerging from the sky from behind an isolated radio tower that is topped with a cross. The pale skinned hands are ensconced by white fabric sleeves that have been delicately rendered with tonal gradations of white, gray, and cream. The hands surround the cross, reaching out towards it as if to cup it completely. Beams of light radiate towards the viewer from behind the cross, and extend in front of and out beyond the hands. Simplified, pleasant looking clouds surround the tower on either side, and at points fade into the draping of the robe’s sleeves. This painting is very low contrast—there are no harsh shadows or dramatic clashing colors.The radio tower is depicted with precise black lines and is perched in the middle of a slightly sloping hilltop. The hillside is rendered with various shades of green colored pencil, and sparsely populated by a few scraggly, extra thick pencil marks that suggest shrubbery, brush, or trees. Towards the base of the tower, in between the horizon line of the hillside and the lowermost level of clouds, braille spells out the phrase, “have faith”. There is no indication of a body beyond the depiction of the hands—they seem to be the hands of God, materializing out of the blue sky which surrounds the tower and can be seen between the clouds.

In regards to the inspiration behind this piece, this illustration was made in response to an interview between the artist, Ioana Anghelescu and CJ Wallace, a Greensboro man with vision impairment who aspires to start a faith-based radio station or podcast . Throughout the interview, Wallace’s positive outlook on life is instantly apparent and contagious. He credits his positivity in part to his relationship with God, and wishes to share the power of faith with others. A deep love of nature and music are also important to Wallace, and in creating this piece, Anghelescu sought to depict all of these influences in a harmonious, calm, and positive way.

Watercolor on Paper