The four men in the middle are the Four Evangelists: Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They can be recognized as such by the scrolls they are carrying and their symbols of the winged angel, lion, ox and eagle in the border design. Sts. Peter and Paul, the "pillars of the Church", stand on the right and left. Peter can be recognized by the key around his neck, and Paul by his sword. 

The saints are shown immerging on the clouds from the kingdom of Heaven behind them. This is to honor the Catholic theology of Heaven and earth coming together during the Sacrament of the Mass-that everyone in Heaven through the power of God is present--that we truly are ONE Church, transcending time and physical dimension. This is stated before the "Holy Holy"--that we sing "in communion with the angels and the saints". While six canonized saints appear in the mural, we can imagine EVERY person in heaven right there with them.

Just as my personal hero, Michelangelo, often chose to portray saints as perfect physical specimens, my saints are rather handsome on purpose, but robed so they're not too distracting! In my mind there are no weight problems in Heaven, no skin problems, no loss of hair or teeth or eyesight… no problems at all. And while I think the beauty of our perfected souls (represented by the glowing auras) will outshine whatever "bodies" we have, showing these saints, strikingly handsome as I think they are, is symbolic of that perfected state that they have reached in Heaven.

I was asked while painting the kingdom if that's what I imagine Heaven to look like. I imagine Heaven is MUCH more--much more beautiful than we could ever imagine, and definitely in more color! What I have painted is reminiscent of the Father's mansion with many rooms, but also represents the edge of the kingdom; everything else you imagine Heaven to be exists beyond it. This mural was designed with limited color so it would sit back on the architecture; full color can tend to jump off the walls and be more distracting. I imagine these saints to be in the "space between" the dimensions of Heaven and earth… enough in our dimension that they take physical form, carrying their traditional objects so that we might recognize them, but still in the outlying mists of Heaven. If they could fully materialize and walk off the wall, I'm sure they'd do so in living color.

The scripture on St. Luke's scroll says, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you. (Lk. 17:20-21)". This scripture was chosen to reinforce the idea of unity. The kingdom of God is among us, especially at Mass, but also in every part of our lives if we have the courage to recognize it. God and the saints are not separate or distant from us. God transcends time and space, and the Spirit of God dwells in every person, past, present and future. We should rejoice in our union now as well as later, and recognize EVERY person as one we should love in Christ. To build the kingdom is to empower others to see this Truth and to live as saints in this world. Many other shades of meaning could be discerned through meditation, and I hope many people will take the time to do so.