Preaching to the Chickens

When I was a little kid, I used to sneak into the local "fire and brimstone" church on summer nights and listen to the minister describe the torments of hell. I was aware that he was scaring some of the congregation, and I yearned to be able to do that ... make people hang on every word. After practicing a bit in front of the mirror in my bedroom, I started going to the chicken house at night. I would take a lantern and a Bible and I badly frightened those chickens! When I told them about Chicken Hell, they would get hysterical. I think my nightly sermons were good training for both teaching and storytelling. When I began painting, this was one of my favorite subjects. I've painted this one many times. Each time, I add a few more chickens.