Some artists draw their inspiration

from nature; others are influenced by their personal environment.

Fayette daughter Kristi Kent,

22, a Georgia State University senior, uses the Bible as a reference point

for her art.

Currently, Kent has two wall

hangings displayed in the sanctuary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Riverdale.

"Kristi has a real gift," said the Rev. David Hansen, pastor

of Holy Cross. "Her work is kind of unique and special."

He added that Kent's work not

only added to the beauty of the building, but also prompted thoughtful

conversations among church members.

One of Kent's most intense

works adorns the side wall of the small sanctuary. It is an acrylic on

water color paper depicting the stations of the cross and Christ's crucifixion,

showing only hands and limbs. "I chose the hands and arms because

they are more powerful than the entire body," she explained.

The overlapping of hands and

arms is a beautiful abstract representation of Christ's final journey.

Kent calls her work "art

with a Christian theme." Her expressionist approach blends strong

color and bold themes from the Bible such as the Israelites' journey out

of Egypt, and an illustration of the words of Christ, "I am the tree

and you are the branches..." with a tree in varying stages of growth

and decay.

Kent has accumulated a large

body of work, with one particular series focusing on light. One picture

in the series depicts Paul on the road to Damascus and his conversion

in a brilliant fusion of color. "There will eventually be 11 in the

series. Right now there are nine," Kent noted, unrolling one of her

large canvases. She hopes to finish off the series with a work portraying

Pentecost and the tongues of fire.

She definitely likes to "work

big," in part because "I have a message for everyone to see,"

Kent said.

Her interest in art has been

a constant for as long as she can remember. Kent's talent was nurtured

during high school by Fayette County High School art teacher Melanie Mickleboro.

"Kristi was a wonderful

student... she always achieved beyond what you asked her to do,"

Mickleboro recalled. As an advanced placement art student, she chose contemporary

artist Chuck Close for her study," Mickleboro noted.

Kent, whose maiden name was

Jones, was graduated in 1996 from FCHS. Her parents, Bill and Vicky Jones,

live in Fayetteville, while Kent and her husband of one-and-a-half years,

George, live in Hampton.

Kent is in the process of putting

together drawings for her senior show at Georgia State University on Sunday,

Dec. 17. Upon graduation next month, Kent would like to take on some commission

work, prior to graduate school.

In addition to having her work

at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Kent has also displayed pieces at Prince

of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville.