While he considers himself a disciple of Christ, Brian Kershisnik doesn't force spiritual themes into his work.

The artist, however, certainly doesn't mind if such elements end up on the canvas.

"I am a religious man," he said. "I ask and seek after certain kinds of experiences with the spirit, and I hope that shows up in my paintings."

Kershisnik, a graduate of Brigham Young University, lives in the small Utah town of Kanosh, Millard County, with a family, a studio and a highly successful career as a painter. A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kershisnik said his view of the universe includes a "reality that exists on the other side of the veil," an acknowledgement that is often reflected in his work in not-so-subtle ways. For example, angels often attend the subjects of his paintings.

But that's not always the case, which is by design — or lack of.

Kershisnik considers himself a "participant" in the artistic process whose calling is not to deliberately affect the viewer spiritually but rather to give place for truth. Whatever spiritual images that result from that process need to be "incidental," and his hope is to live in a manner that such themes can emerge. More than anything, he wants to be true to the story he's telling through his art.

"What I am concerned with is that my view of the world contains enough light and hope," he said. "I have to give place for the story that wants to be told. If I spend too much energy trying to sell you on my story ... I'm much more likely to be dishonest, to be preoccupied with who I want you to feel that I am, rather than the subject itself."

While some works, such as "Nativity," are clearly religious in nature, Kershisnik said some spiritual elements are "not always overt." Then there are other times when the stories involve dark and tragic themes, such as the subject of his current work — the massacre of children ordered by Herod around the time of Christ's birth.

For Kershisnik, dealing with such subjects is part of life and part of being a disciple. He calls the creative process "hardball" and said it's not always fun.

"Most of (the subjects) are very gentle," he said. "But every once in a while there is a tension or difficulty or a horror that is part of our lives and our love and our discipleship.... There is an element of anxiety that is part of that experience.

"Discipleship to Jesus is very much a fasten-your-seat-belt experience."

And to be a part of it, an artist has to be willing to go along for the ride.

"It is hard for God to steer a parked car," he said. "The spiritual experience of the painting comes because I am willing to proceed not knowing how it will turn out."