"In 'Faith Ascending' by Rita Adams, the Tree of Life stands as a symbol of nourishment, basking in the gentle embrace of golden light while a shimmering ladder descends, intricately intertwining with the roots, forging a bridge between earth and sky. Through its imagery, the artwork hints at boundless opportunities for faith and knowledge.

Faith Ascending

In "Our Daily Bread," part of the *Jacob's Ladder* collection, Rita Adams weaves a visual narrative inspired by Genesis 28:10-22. This piece depicts a celestial ladder extending from heaven to earth, symbolizing connection and nourishment. Light and water descend from above, nurturing the golden wheat fields below, representing the essential elements provided by the heavens for our sustenance. The artwork beautifully merges themes of provision and sustenance, inviting viewers to contemplate the sacredness of daily nourishment.

Our Daily Bread

In "The Burning Question", Rita Adams captures the urgency for unity and intervention as an angel commands immediate attention, emphasizing the pressing need for divine involvement. A messenger figure serves as a bridge between heaven and earth, with a vital message to Jacob, affirming his companionship in the forthcoming journey.

Call to Action

It is a captivating encaustic painting inspired by the profound beauty and spiritual significance of Jerusalem. The artwork depicts a celestial ladder descending from heaven, symbolizing divine connection and the outpouring of angels over Jerusalem to share with the world. As Adams painted, she reflected on the Talmudic words: "Ten measures of beauty were given to the world. Nine were taken by Jerusalem, and one was distributed all over the earth." This piece resonates with a sense of sacred beauty and universal harmony.

Infinite Ascent

"Tension Between Good and Evil" by Rita Adams portrays a haunting landscape of scattered ladders, symbolizing humanity's futile attempts to reach the heavens on their own. This evocative encaustic mixed media piece highlights the eternal struggle between good and evil, underscoring the belief that true ascent is only possible through divine intervention. The rich, textured layers of the encaustic medium create a powerful visual narrative, inviting viewers to reflect on the spiritual battles and the necessity of a heavenly ladder descending to guide us.

Tension between good and evil

Adams draws inspiration from Jacob's dream at Bethel, as recounted in the Bible. This evocative encaustic painting explores the profound imagery of angels ascending and descending a ladder, symbolizing the dual nature of divine communication. Are these angels like prayers sent up to heaven, or blessings cascading down like rain? Through rich textures and symbols, Adams invites viewers to contemplate the profound two-way street between the earthly and the divine.

Celestial Connection

Seen with the Unseen by Rita Adams portrays a scene of departure and transformation against a backdrop of rosy skies and a tall orange ladder. Departing Beersheva in the Negev desert, Jacob embarks on a journey towards Padan-Aram, fraught with both peril and promise. In a departure from traditional symbols, birds, rather than angels, serve as messengers, symbolizing unseen forces guiding Jacob's travels. His departure is laden with significance; fleeing his brother Esau's wrath and fulfilling his father's directive to seek a suitable wife, Jacob stands at a pivotal turning point in his life. Adams' composition captures the tension between uncertainty and hope for the journey.

Seen with the Unseen

"Upward Bound" by Rita Adams draws inspiration from the biblical narrative of Jacob's dream as a journey from the mundane to the sublime. From the depths of water wells, symbolic of life's everyday struggles and challenges, to the vast expanse of the starry sky above, the composition evokes a sense of fragility with Jacob's experience searching for something greater amidst the trials and triumphs of daily life.

Upward Bound II

"Tension" by Rita Adams is a powerful mixed media encaustic painting that captures a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey. Amidst a turbulent night, a green ladder stands central, symbolizing Jacob's connection to the divine and his aspirations. A swirling dust devil approaches Jacob's sleeping place, foreshadowing the challenges and unpredictability of his upcoming journey. As Jacob prepares to embark on a 500-mile journey to Haran, which will ultimately become a 20-year exile from his homeland, the whirlwind captures the tension and anticipation of his quest for direction. The painting's contrast of dark, stormy colors with the vivid green ladder masterfully emphasizes the themes of struggle, hope, and resilience in the face of life's uncertainties.

Tension

In "Wanderer's Dream," Rita Adams creates a dreamlike landscape where an ethereal ladder, composed of misty, translucent steps, stretches upwards, enveloping the dreamer at its base. The piece, part of Jacob's Ladder collection, uses subtle blues and whites to craft a tranquil yet mysterious atmosphere, blending reality with imagination. The ladder symbolizes life's journey and the quest for higher understanding, capturing a moment of introspection between grounded reality and infinite possibilities. Adams' use of encaustic media blurs the lines between the tangible and the ethereal, exploring the boundless potential of the human spirit.

Wanderer's Dream

"Rungs of Revelation II" by Rita Adams is an evocative piece that suggests hope and doubt. The artwork employs encaustic mixed media with Linen cords to form ladder-like structures. The sun has set, and the heavenly hosts are absent from the visible sky, pondering the LORD's assurance to Jacob, "I'll watch over you wherever you go and I'll bring you back to this Land,". Through the delicate yet resilient nature of the linen cords embedded in wax, Adams captures the fragility and strength of the human heart in times of uncertainty.

Rungs of Revelation II

In "Wanderer's Dream II," Rita Adams creates a dreamlike landscape where an ethereal ladder, composed of misty, translucent steps, stretches upwards, enveloping the dreamer at its base. The piece, part of Jacob's Ladder collection, uses subtle blues and whites to craft a tranquil yet mysterious atmosphere, blending reality with imagination. The ladder symbolizes life's journey and the quest for higher understanding, capturing a moment of introspection between grounded reality and infinite possibilities. Adams' use of encaustic media blurs the lines between the tangible and the ethereal, exploring the boundless potential of the human spirit.

Wanderer's Dream II

"Blaze" powerfully depicts a moment from Jacob's dream, where he envisions a ladder descending to a fiery terrain. This encaustic painting captures the intense blaze and thick smoke obscuring the angels who bring God's promises to Jacob. As Jacob sleeps deeply, the path he must traverse to Padan-Aram appears dangerous and fraught with danger. The vivid use of encaustic mixed media enhances the dramatic and surreal quality of the scene, highlighting Jacob's challenges and the divine mercy he seeks.

Blaze

"Adio Nonni" by Rita Adams is a deeply personal and emotional encaustic art piece that explores the complexities of family, identity, and closure. The artwork poignantly represents the artist's difficult childhood, marked by rejection and abandonment from her maternal grandparents, who encouraged her single mother to give her and her siblings up for adoption. 
Years later, the artist revisited her grandparents, capturing a photograph of them, but the encounter brought no peace. It wasn't until she became a grandmother herself, and her grandparents had passed away, that she found a sense of resolution. By cutting the photograph and creating a ladder to symbolically send them to eternity, she transformed a painful memory into a powerful work of art. 
"Adio Nonni" is a testament to the artist's journey towards healing and forgiveness.

Adio Nonni

"Have Mercy on Us" is an evocative encaustic painting that explores themes of distress and uncertainty. The artwork's poignant narrative is embodied in the thought: "My ladder is broken, the rungs are burned out, from this arid desert how can I find my new place?’’ Through the rich texture and depth characteristic of encaustic painting, the artist conveys a barren landscape with daunting obstacles, capturing a deep sense of yearning and inner struggle.

Have Mercy on Us

In this captivating digital composition, "The Stairway of Faith," Rita Adams masterfully merges the serene landscapes of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights with the biblical narrative of Jacob's dream. Printed on canvas, this piece transports viewers to a realm where the divine and earthly converge. 
Against the tranquil backdrop of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights, a majestic stairway descends from heaven, its steps bridging the gap between the mortal and spiritual realms. Angels gracefully ascend and descend the stairway, embodying the fluid communication between God and humanity. Jacob's dreamlike vision comes alive, inviting viewers to contemplate the connection between faith and the beauty of creation. 
 
This stunning piece, part of the "Jacob's Ladder Multimedia Art" collection, showcases Adams' blend of photography, digital art, and biblical inspiration.

The Stairway of Faith

"Space X" by Rita Adams is a surreal digital painting that takes you on an otherworldly journey. In a dreamlike outer space setting, clouds float effortlessly, and a never-ending ladder reaches for the stars. Jacob sleeps peacefully surrounded by who tend to him with care. 
 
One angel kneels in devotion, while another stands guard, watching over Jacob with steadfast vigilance. A third angel trumpets announcements, heralding the continuation of Jacob's transformative journey, which began with his first night's dream at Bethel. Meanwhile, a fourth angel offers guidance, to direct Jacob through the challenges that lie ahead. 
 
Through this artwork, Adams invites viewers to reflect on the connections between faith, art, and personal growth. Jacob's journey serves as a metaphor for our own paths to self-discovery. The angels' roles raise questions about their purpose: are they Jacob's entourage or his attendants? The answer lies in the endless possibilities of our majestic universe.

Space X

"Bethel's DNA" by Rita Adams is a thought-provoking digital painting that intertwines the concepts of biology and the vastness of our universe. This artwork features a striking visual of a DNA ladder spiraling around the globe, symbolizing the profound connection between life on Earth and the infinite reaches of space. Adams draws on the astonishing fact that if all the DNA in a human body were unraveled and laid end to end, it would stretch to the moon and back almost 1,500 times, a distance totaling approximately 744 million miles. This remarkable visualization underscores the incredible scale of our genetic makeup, which could reach the Sun and return four times over. "Life" is a powerful reminder of the vastness contained within the smallest components of life, encouraging reflection on our place in the universe.

Bethel's DNA

"Pennybacker Bridge" by Rita Adams is an imaginative digital painting that reinterprets the iconic structure of the Pennybacker Bridge in Austin, Texas. Known for its unique design that resembles a giant ladder, the bridge in this artwork transcends its terrestrial bounds and encircles the globe, creating a celestial pathway populated by angels.

Pennybacker Bridge Austin, TX

In this haunting and thought-provoking digital artwork, Rita Adams reimagines the biblical narrative of Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28:10-22) with a modern twist, on the second night of his journey to Haram, a contemporary Jacob slumbers by the serene Sea of Galilee. However, his dreams are far from peaceful. 
In his vision, a celestial ladder descends from heaven, but instead of angels ascending and descending, pairs of angels transform into the razor-sharp claws of a ferocious dragon. The beast appears to be closing in on Jacob, aka Israel, its menacing presence evoking a sense of foreboding and danger. 
The piece seems to allude to the struggles and threats faced by Israel, leaving the viewer with a lasting impression of disquiet and concern. 
As the artist herself noted, "When I saw the result, I was troubled. It looks like the enemies are coming to destroy Israel." This powerful and evocative artwork invites us to contemplate the ongoing struggles of the modern world.

Watch out for the dangerous night

In this haunting and thought-provoking digital artwork, Rita Adams reimagines the biblical narrative of Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28:10-22) with a modern twist, on the second night of his journey to Haram, a contemporary Jacob slumbers by the serene Sea of Galilee. However, his dreams are far from peaceful. In his vision, a celestial ladder descends from heaven, but instead of angels ascending and descending, pairs of angels transform into the razor-sharp claws of a ferocious dragon. The beast appears to be closing in on Jacob, aka Israel, its menacing presence evoking a sense of foreboding and danger. 
The piece seems to allude to the struggles and threats faced by Israel, leaving the viewer with a lasting impression of disquiet and concern. 
As the artist herself noted, "When I saw the result, I was troubled. It looks like the enemies coming to destroy Israel." This powerful and evocative artwork invites us to contemplate the ongoing struggles of the modern world.

"Gate to Heaven II" by Rita Adams is a captivating digital painting Jacob is transported to Mount Moriah, where he rests by the ancient walls of Jerusalem. These walls, stand as silent witnesses to millennia of faith and history. The soft, luminous glow enveloping the ladder and angels contrasts beautifully with Jerusalem's walls' solid, ancient stones, creating a harmonious balance between the mystical and the historical.

Gate to Heaven II

In "Visions of the Night," Rita Adams crafts a vibrant digital artwork, transporting viewers to the pivotal moment in Jacob's journey from Beersheva to Haran. Fleeing from his brother Esau's wrath, Jacob finds himself near the serene Sea of Galilee, where the boundaries between reality and the divine begin to blur. 
As night falls, Jacob's mind replays the dramatic vision from the previous night, reliving the ethereal encounter with the angels and the radiant ladder that guides his path. The scene comes alive with a kaleidoscope of colors, evoking the emotional intensity of Jacob's experience. 
Adams' masterful use of color and composition invites viewers to step into Jacob's dreamlike state, where the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds dissolve.

Visions of the Night

In "Bethel to Zion" Rita Adams crafts a poignant digital painting, capturing Jacob's first night on the run from his brother Esau's deadly plot. Seeking refuge in the elevated place of Bethel, Jacob finds solace in a dream that transforms his fear and uncertainty into hope and promise. 
 
As he sleeps, a golden staircase descends from heaven, attended by angels and culminating in the majestic presence of the Lord above Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. The divine voice resonates with a promise: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying... All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go..." 
 
Adams' composition conveys the emotional drama of Jacob's journey, as the golden light of the staircase symbolizes the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. The angels' gentle forms and the Lord's benevolent voice embody the

Bethel to Zion

Ein Avdat Night" by Rita Adams is a digital composition on canvas that beautifully captures the serene and historical essence of the ruins of the fortress of Ein Avdat in Israel where angels watch over a weary traveler, offering a sense of divine protection and rest. 
The depiction of the fortress ruins, set against the expansive landscape, evokes the historical significance of Ein Avdat as a crucial resting point for caravans traversing the ancient Incense Route between Petra and the King's Highway in Israel, blend historical and spiritual elements The angels, tenderly positioned, create an atmosphere of safety and tranquility, suggesting this place as a sanctuary for those on long and arduous journeys.

Ein Avdat Night

"Inside Out" by Rita Adams is a captivating digital artwork printed on canvas, this piece offers a poignant glimpse into the heart of Jerusalem, specifically the historic German Colony (HaMoshava Hagermanit), also known as the "Valley of the Rephaim" (Emek Refaim). 
Through the window's panes, we see Jacob's dreamlike vision come alive, as angels approach and blur the lines between the physical and spiritual worlds. The Valley of the Rephaim, a site of great significance in biblical texts, provides a powerful backdrop for this surreal encounter.

Inside Out

In "The Promised Path," Rita Adams crafts a breathtaking digital composition, transporting viewers to the majestic Mount Gilboa in Israel. Every spring, this iconic location beckons visitors to witness the stunning black iris in bloom. Amidst this serene and historic setting, Adams envisions Jacob's transformative dream, as he embarks on his trek to Haran. 
 
Surrounded by the vibrant black iris, a ladder descends, symbolizing the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms. The delicate petals of the iris evoke the fragile yet resilient nature of faith, while the dreamlike quality of the scene invites viewers to step into Jacob's life-changing journey. 
 
As part of the "Jacob's Ladder Multimedia" collection, this piece continues Adams' exploration of the intersections between faith, history, and the human experience, inviting us to reflect on the promises and pathways that shape our lives.

The Promised Path

In this captivating artwork, Rita Adams reimagines the biblical narrative of Jacob's Ladder (Genesis 28:10-22). Set against the weathered wall of Hope Chapel in Austin, Texas, the artwork depicts an angel and Jacob sleeping, blending the spiritual with the architecture to create a contemplative scene of divine connection and hope.

Hope Chapel

Hope Chapel II

"Golan Heights" by Rita Adams is a digital painting composition that offers a stunning view of the Sea of Galilee with the Golan Heights as seen from Magdala. This artwork features an ethereal ladder made of clouds, hovering over the Sea of Galilee and the biblical region of Bashan, which borders Syria and Jordan. The imagery suggests a connection between heaven and earth, blending the serene landscape with a spiritual element.

Golan Heights

Hope Chapel III

"Jacob's Awakening II" by Rita Adams is a stunning digital artwork printed on canvas. It takes you on a journey to the historic Tower of David in Jerusalem, where a beautiful, shimmering ladder comes down from the sky. Many angels gather around, ready to guide Jacob on his important journey to Haran. 
The Tower of David, a strong and resilient symbol, remains steady amidst the whirlwind of change. Rita Adams skillfully combines digital art and biblical inspiration to create a wonderful and captivating scene, inviting you to experience Jacob's moment of awakening.

Jacob's Awakening II

"Come and See" by Rita Adams features a figure standing behind a ladder, symbolizing the transformative journey of Jacob. Twenty years prior, Jacob fled from his brother Esau, alone and uncertain. Now, he returns with a family and abundant gifts, capturing the essence of God's grace and favor. The piece beautifully depicts love, companionship, and prosperity.

Come and See

A garden scene unfolds teeming with life and beauty. Amidst the lush flowers and hovering birds, a ladder stands symbolizing the quest for knowledge and connection. The textured, layered encaustic mixed medium shows a serene yet dynamic atmosphere that invites us to contemplate our search for meaning and the mysteries that lie beyond.

Angelic Procession

Gift Offering" is an encaustic painting inspired by the poignant account from Genesis 28:10-22, and Jacob's transformative encounter with the divine ladder, bridging the earthly and celestial realms. A weathered ladder stands alongside pomegranate branches, bursting with fruit and promise. The encaustic medium adds a tactile, layered depth, inviting viewers to step into a moment of revelation. As we gaze upon this "Gift Offering," we're reminded of the enduring legacy of faith, hope, and divine guidance that unites us across generations and traditions.

Gift offering

"A Bridge from Bethel" vividly portrays Jacob's restless night, haunted by his brother’s plot against him. Created with encaustic mixed media, the artwork features Jacob's black silhouette, ambiguous and unsure whether he is coming or going. An angel stands guard on a red line, a boundary not meant to be crossed, highlighting the tension and uncertainty of Jacob's journey. The piece captures the unsettling and precarious path that lies ahead for Jacob, emphasizing his vulnerability and the divine protection guiding him.

A Bridge from Bethel

In "The Morning After," Rita Adams captures the poignant emotion of loneliness through the ethereal presence of an angelic messenger and a ladder. This encaustic mixed media piece features an angel with raised hands, a gesture that can be interpreted as either an invitation or a sign of surrender. Both the angel and the ladder float amidst a nebulous backdrop, symbolizing the uncertainty of the future. The subdued color palette enhances the sense of introspection, inviting viewers to reflect on moments of solitude. Adams' work delicately balances hope and melancholy, evoking a personal exploration of faith and the unknown.

The Morning After

In this symbolic encaustic mixed media painting, Rita Adams depicts yet another interpretation of Jacob's dream (Genesis 28:10-22). The angel kneels in humility and reverence as if awaiting Jacob's response to the divine message. Around the base of the ladder, other ladders lie abandoned on the ground, like forgotten tools or pathways. A tall tree rises in the background, its branches stretching towards the heavens like nature's own ladder. The encaustic medium adds a tactile, layered quality to the piece, inviting us to contemplate our journey, the ladders we climb, and the messages we receive.

Message Given

"Go Up to Zion" is a beautiful and meaningful painting that celebrates Jerusalem's spiritual significance. At its center, an angel climbs a ladder connected to the Tree of Life, representing the link between heaven and earth. The angel's peaceful presence near the Tower of David fills the scene with a sense of calm and safety. The painting's layered wax and pigments create a dreamy, textured surface that draws the viewer in. The angel's gentle guidance invites us to climb the ladder of faith, embracing hope and redemption.

Go up to Zion

"Hope in the Promise" soars with expectation and reimagines the celestial messenger as a gentle bird between two vertical orange stripes symbolizing the patient waiting for promises to unfold. The mixed media texture adds a sense of depth and dimensionality, inviting viewers to step into the space of hope and anticipation.

Hope in the Promise

In this captivating encaustic painting, Rita Adams weaves a tapestry of hope and transformation. As winter's chill begins to thaw, the trees stand poised to burst forth with new life, symbolizing the promise of a brighter future. A majestic ladder, sent from above, stretches towards the earth, bridging the divine and the human. Meanwhile, a flock of birds gathers, waiting patiently for Jacob to continue on his journey to Aram, a path that will shape his destiny. With its rich textures and vibrant colors, "Dreams of Destiny" invites the viewer to step into the threshold of possibility, where the boundaries between heaven and earth dissolve, and the dreams of tomorrow unfold.

Dreams of Destiny

"Connecting Steps (Triptych)" by Rita Adams is a poignant exploration of desolation and the remnants of dramatic encounters. The triptych unfolds across three panels, each meticulously painted to convey a narrative of loss and abandonment. 
Jacob has departed from his turbulent night, leaving behind a landscape strewn with broken ladders. Their fragmented forms suggest the dissolution of the devotion bridges that link heaven and earth. The steps of these ladders appear to be melting, a visual metaphor for the dissolving faith heightening the sense of sacrifice and defeat. 
The angels who once descended and ascended these ladders are conspicuously absent. Their departure leaves a void, emphasizing the loneliness and desolation of the landscape.

Connecting Steps, Triptych

"Jacob's Journey" is a dynamic artwork inspired by Genesis 28:13-14, depicting three paths and three ladders, symbolizing the parallel journeys of faith, hope, and divine guidance. The use of bold colors enhances the significance of the scene, reflecting the promise that Jacob's lineage would extend in all directions, blessing all families of the earth.

Jacob's Journey

"Jacob's Journey II" is a dynamic artwork inspired by Genesis 28:13-14, depicting three paths and three ladders, symbolizing the parallel journeys of faith, hope, and divine guidance. The use of bold colors enhances the significance of the scene, reflecting the promise that Jacob's lineage would extend in all directions, blessing all families of the earth.

Jacob's Journey II

October 7th, 2023

October 7th, 2023" by Rita Adams is a poignant encaustic painting that profoundly expresses the artist's anguish over the devastating Hamas attack in Israel. The deep red hues, juxtaposed with two birds and a missile aimed at a ladder, symbolize a brutal assault on divinity itself. Using the ancient encaustic technique, Adams layers heated beeswax and pigments to create a textured, evocative surface. This artwork encapsulates a moment of deep sorrow and reflection, resonating with the timeless struggle between violence and spirituality.

October 7, 2023

"Still Night" by Rita Adams captures the tumultuous emotions of Jacob on a dark and stormy night. The artwork depicts Jacob’s fear with his journey, filled with uncertainty and haste as he flees from his family and homeland. Amidst the emotional chaos, angels hover, symbolizing divine presence and guidance. The encaustic mixed media enhances the mood, creating rich, textured layers that reflect Jacob's inner turmoil and the atmosphere of his departure.

Still Night

Divine Connection II, by Rita Adams, is an evocative encaustic art piece that draws inspiration from the biblical story of Jacob’s dream, where a ladder descends from heaven to earth. Adams reinterprets this vision with a unique, contemporary twist. The radiant angel poised gracefully amidst a sea of clouds is holding two ladders, suggesting the dynamic between give and receive. 
The use of encaustic techniques—a method involving heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments—imbues the piece with a rich texture and depth, enhancing the surrounding atmosphere, and offering a modern, artistic interpretation of an ancient, timeless vision.

Divine Connection II

Divine Connection by Rita Adams is an evocative encaustic art piece that draws inspiration from the biblical story of Jacob’s dream, where a ladder descends from heaven to earth. Adams reinterprets this vision with a unique, contemporary twist. The radiant angel poised gracefully amidst a sea of clouds is holding two ladders, suggesting the dynamic between give and receive. 
The use of encaustic techniques—a method involving heated beeswax mixed with colored pigments—imbues the piece with a rich texture and depth, enhancing the surrounding atmosphere, and offering a modern, artistic interpretation of an ancient, timeless vision.

Divine Connection

This evocative piece portrays a pivotal biblical moment with emotional depth. Set under the serene glow of the moon, the artwork captures the stillness of night as Jacob sleeps, enveloped in a landscape of ethereal beauty. Nearby, an angel stands watchful, poised to guide Jacob away from the wrath of his brother Esau. The celestial guardian’s presence imbues the scene with a sense of divine intervention and protection, highlighting the significance of Jacob's journey to Padan-Aram. The use of light and shadow emphasizes the contrast between vulnerability and safety, making this piece a compelling narrative of faith, guidance, and providence.

Because the Sun had Set

"Because He Stops for the Night" by Rita Adams captures a profoundly moment from the biblical story of Jacob. As Jacob sleeps beneath the Tree of Life, an angel descends to offer assurance and guidance. This evocative artwork reflects Jacob's uncertainty and fear as he flees from his brother Esau, contemplating the journey ahead. The rich textures and layers of the encaustic medium bring to life this awe-inspiring and reassuring encounter, highlighting the divine presence in moments of vulnerability.

Because He stops for the Night

In this vibrant and symbolic artwork, the boundaries between heaven and earth dissolve as a ladder descends from the fiery sky, bridging the divine and human realms. Against a backdrop of swirling flames and ethereal light, the ladder stands as a beacon of hope and connection. With bold brushstrokes and radiant colors, Rita Adams captures the intensity and beauty of the divine encounter.

Come to me

"Eagerly Waiting" is an evocative encaustic painting by Rita Adams, it captures a moment of anticipation at the start of Jacob's journey from Beersheva to Padan-Aram. The ladder, symbolizing divine presence, appears on the first night of Jacob’s nearly 500-mile journey, possibly by foot or donkey. The painting's wax layers and pigments create a rich texture, prompting reflections on faith, destiny, and the dialogue between the divine and human. It’s as if God is saying to Jacob, “I placed this ladder here on your first night because I look forward to spending time with you, Jacob.”

Eagerly Waiting

In "The Heavenly Summit II" Rita Adams presents a vision with mirrored images reflecting mercy. As Jacob sleeps, heavenly beings map his path from Beersheba to Padan-Aram, with guidance and assurance. The two panels, like a mirror in the sky, offer Jacob a glimpse of an alternative life beyond the known and comfortable. Subtle hues and layered textures create a serene atmosphere, inviting viewers to ponder their alternative paths.

The Heavenly Summit II, Diptych

"Coming and Going" by Rita Adams offers a new perspective on Jacob's Ladder. From a bird's-eye view, two ladders meet, forming a celestial and earthly crossroads. The orange ladder rises to the heavens, symbolizing spiritual growth and connection with the divine, while the blue ladder descends, representing our journey on earth and human culture. This art piece honors the biblical story while also referencing the Ladder of the Intellect, a symbol of critical thinking and scientific discovery. The layered wax and pigments create a textured, dreamy surface that invites viewers to reflect on the intersections of faith, reason, and human progress.

Coming and Going

This artwork depicts ladders without steps, resembling ethereal fingers reaching down from above. Inspired by Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:10-22, these ladders symbolize the divine reaching out to Jacob, and to us, rather than a means for us to ascend. The encaustic medium adds a sense of simplicity and intimacy to the piece, contrasting with the depth of its message. This artwork invites us to reflect on our journey - encouraging a personal interpretation and emotional response.

Affraid

Escada de Jacó

versiculo biblico

Escadas

Jacob's Ladder, Encaustic and Digital Paintings by Rita Adam

Artist Statement

Rita Adams

Introducing my latest collection, 'Jacob's Ladder,' inspired by the timeless biblical story of Jacob's dream in Genesis 28:10-22. This iconic narrative depicts a celestial ladder bridging earth and heaven, with angels ascending and descending in a poignant symbol of divine connection. For this collection, I deliberately chose to work with encaustic, a medium steeped in history and tradition, dating back an astonishing 5,000 years. By melting and fusing hot wax, resin, and pigment, I create luminous and transparent compositions that evoke a sense of depth and spirituality. In addition, I have incorporated digital painting into the Jacob's Ladder collection, embracing the innovative possibilities of contemporary art.

Jacob's Ladder Art Collection