Minnesota artist Brandon Kidder's recent award from the National Christian Art Competition is the result of 20 years of hard work -- which sounds like the standard winner's cliché until you factor in that he's only 26.
"I started early," he admitted with a chuckle.
Kidder, a graduate of Anoka High School and Bethel University who lives in Andover, submitted three pieces to the competition (which, despite its name, is now an international contest). His pastel portrait of Jesus Christ titled "Persistent Prayer" won fourth place.
The recognition is nice, of course, but he was more excited about the award's validation of his effort to create a more authentic image of Jesus.
"It's more of an ethnic Jesus than we see in the traditional paintings, which tend to show him with blue eyes and lighter hair," he said. "I'm trying for a more realistic look, a more Jewish look, based on my study of the Bible and other books."
Kidder's artwork is carried by 20 Christian bookstores in the Twin Cities. And he just illustrated his first book, "Come Unto Me" by Tania Frankie. He's been supplementing his income by doing portraits, but now he has launched a company, In His Name Design, and is hoping to be able to focus most of his energy on religious art.
He's not getting rich. "One of my 11-by-14 [inch] pieces sells for $50," he said. But with a website he's in the process of launching (inhisnamedesign.com), and with his mother, Judy Kidder, acting as his agent, he's looking to expand his marketing nationwide.
Besides, there are other payoffs besides money. "I'm meeting some wonderful people, and that's very exciting," he said. "[U.S. Rep.] Michele Bachmann came up to me and said, 'I've seen your work, and I'm a fan.'"
