I was born that way. My life’s journey, through lots of twists and turns, has brought me here. I am wondering if it is fate that has presented this massive and important art project to me. Yes, I am a fish out of water in the Christian community, but I have been told by some of my closest Christian friends that it couldn’t be a better scenario – a Jew born in Israel asking “Why Jesus?” Everyone is comfortable with people who are familiar to them – preaching to the choir – but one thing that makes this project so profound is that Christians of all denominations from all over the world are coming together for what may very well be “the ultimate Portrait of Christ.” And, in a single voice, and many voices, they will be answering the same question about Jesus. The answer will be heard by “the choir,” but, perhaps more importantly, it will be exposed to the rest of us. Although I am one person, I see myself here as representing many non-Christians. I believe this project will attract millions of others like me, who will be curious with an open mind. Connecting our dots will be HUGE. Why is the Portrait of Christ being created by a Jew from Israel? As my Evangelical friend Beth said, “Jesus was a Jew from Israel too, so I believe you are in good company!”
I don’t believe I am creating this Portrait. I am the instrument. It is being created by one million Christians around the world. Without their participation, the Portrait would not exist.
It is the only Portrait of Jesus Christ I know of that is created literally by “the people.” The Portrait is made from dots, only dots. Each dot represents a real person somewhere in the world. I don’t draw a dot on the canvas until someone signs up for it. Without “the people,” the Portrait cannot be started, it cannot grow, it cannot be completed. I consider it a living Portrait of Christ, because behind each dot is a living, breathing person. It’s very cool when you see one of my drawings in person, and look at it up close and see all of the tiny, individual dots that are coming together to form the image. Then you remind yourself that each dot is a person and the feeling is overwhelming.
People are being invited to come to this website at www.DotsForJesus.com to get their dots. At this stage of the project, I need one million people to reserve their dots. It’s quick, easy and free. I can only accomplish this with your help – tell a friend, tell your church, tell everyone! This is really a mission we are on together. The result will be amazing and, I believe, important.
Once you reserve your dot, you will have a profile page. This will allow others to see who else is supporting this project and to read each others’ answers to the question, “Why Jesus?” It will be fascinating.
When you and your friends reserve your dots, you will be in line to get your dot. Being toward the front of the line is exciting because you will be giving a low dot number, which means you will be one of the first to get your dots placed in the Portrait.
Your dot is free and it will be on the Portrait of Jesus forever. Having a dot in the Portrait will never cost you anything. This is important to me.
Sometimes people think because they can view updates of my drawings online, that they only exist online. This is not the case. I hand draw each dot with an artist’s pen on canvas. The Portrait is real and, if we get our million dots reserved, it will one day hang in a museum and be on exhibit around the world.
You will be able to see updates of the Portrait of Jesus at www.DotsForJesus.com once I begin the drawing if we accomplish our mission of one million people reserving their dots.
No, we don’t need a photograph. You don’t need to send us anything. Just sign up on the website for free to get your dot and the opportunity to attach a message to your dot. This Portrait is not one of those artworks that is a mosaic made from tiny photos. The dot you receive in your name (which will be recorded in the Artist’s Log, along with your dot number and location) is drawn by the artist himself. It is a hand-drawn dot on canvas using pen and ink. As more and more people like you sign up, the tiny hand-drawn dots (each in the name of the participant) come together to form the image of Christ.
The Portrait will only begin when we can get one million people to reserve their dots. It will take one million dots to complete the Portrait. Because I don’t want a half-drawn Portrait of Jesus, I need to be sure there are at least one million people participating.
It will take a few months to complete once it is started.
That’s when “the mission” begins for you. Please tell as many people as possible about this very special project. It is only with your active involvement that The People’s Portrait of Jesus will be.
Once you have reserved your dot, you can add to your profile page on the Dots For Jesus website and also take a look at the profile pages of your fellow dot members!
You will receive periodic updates from me to let you know how it’s going; you can also look at the website for news announcements of exciting developments.
Yes! Just so long as we reach our million dot goal.
Simply invite them to go to the project website at www.DotsForJesus.com. Tell them what you love about this and why you think they will want to be part of something big.
You will receive an announcement by e-mail. If you change your e-mail address, make sure you contact me to let me know. Also, make sure you check the website periodically for updates.
As soon as the first dots are drawn, you will soon receive your dot number. Your dot number is held for you as soon as you reserve your dot.
I keep very good records of where everyone’s dot number is placed in the Portrait: The hair, the nose, the lips, the hands, and so forth. As soon as I get to your name and dot number, I will draw your dot in the location I happen to be drawing that day. My Artist’s Log will be posted on the website. You will look up your dot number in the Artists’ Log to discover where your dot was drawn on the Portrait. The Artists’ Log will go up on the website as soon as I start the Portrait, if we can bring one million people to this project.
You will be able to view the completed Portrait on the Dots For Jesus website. In fact, you’ll be able to witness its progress online as it evolves toward completion. Once the last dot is drawn, it will travel around the world on exhibition so people can see it in person.
Once the first dot is drawn on canvas, you will be able to see the Portrait, as it grows, online at www.DotsForJesus.com. I hope there will also be some occasions for the Portrait to make public appearances as it is being drawn. When it is completed, I plan for it to travel the world on exhibit.
I am very interested in building relationships with churches, charities, organizations, Christian media outlets and others. Please contact me at Info@DotsForJesus.com.
This is a vast endeavor and I can certainly use all the help I can get. For the most part, I am asking everyone to tell a friend, family member, co-worker, church, you name it. Facebook and other social networking websites is a great way to spread the word. The online community seems particularly interested in my projects, so that’s a good place to focus. But posting a notice on a church bulletin board would also be great!
If you are interested in doing more, please contact me directly at Info@DotsForJesus.com. I would welcome hearing from you with offers to volunteer, your suggestions for the project, you name it! Thank you so much. Your support means everything. The People’s Portrait of Christ cannot happen without you.