In 2024, I had the honor of meeting Ava artist Juanita Herrell, who works in mosaic clay art. She came to my church and spoke to our women’s group about her art and the themes she incorporates – because it reflects her deep devotion to Christianity. At that time, she mentioned that she was working toward completion of a series titled “End of Time.” Based on the book of Revelation, the series includes the following pieces: Resurrection, Four Horses of the Apocalypse, Jesus’ Second Return, Great White Throne, Hell and Paradise.
Hailing from deep in the heart of the Ozarks, in Douglas County, Missouri, Juanita Herrell found that creating ceramic mosaics – painstakingly shaping, carving, painting and firing, then glazing each integral piece of a larger artistic puzzle – was her forte in the art world. As a result of years of steadfast study and creative works, she earned top honors at prestigious art shows and is a recognized ceramic teacher by the National Association of Ceramics.
We agreed that when she finished the project, I would visit her and write about the art. Shortly after completion of this complicated series (age 91) last summer, she discovered that she has Stage IV cancer and was whisked to a nursing home in Springfield, Missouri, where she now lives.
The “End of Time” is on display at the Hawthorn Gallery in Springfield. Juanita has been in a beneficial relationship with this prestigious gallery since its earlier days in Branson.
Her kiln, paints and other supplies have gone to various places, such as the Ava Art Guild, of which she is a member. Her home in the country has been sold and will become a bed and breakfast, and will offer a respite to others wishing to get away and enjoy country life, as she did. She likes that idea.
“End of Time” Publication
Last fall, I visited her in Springfield and she told me that one of her greatest regrets was that she hadn’t been able to produce a brochure that informed people about meaning of the “End of Time.” I offered our services at DISA LLC, and my team worked with her to design a beautiful brochure, along with bookmarks featuring “The Sinner’s Prayer,” which Juanita dictated to me. It features photos by Mark Farbin. It is her wish that the brochure and bookmark appear for years after she goes home to Heaven, and that people will begin to understand the meaning of the book of Revelation and God’s grace.
Meanwhile, Juanita and I have been enjoying getting to know each other through visits, which are short but meaningful. I recorded a visit last October (2025) where we talked about “End of Time.” You can see our conversation below.
When did you become a full-time artist?
At 75, I walked out of my office – an employment agency I had grown for 34 years – and became a full-fledged artist. I proved to myself I could have done it, especially if I had put as much effort into it as I did to my business. I figured out that when I left, we’d placed over 6,000 people. I have no regrets about that.
Why did you decide to do “End of Time?”
I don’t work with patterns. For example, with the “End of Time,” I felt like I was being asked – probably by God, “Why don’t you do a horse, but do it all in circles?” So I got out my circle cutters, and I poured my clay into molds and after five hours, the molecules quit moving around but it’s still pliable. Then I’d wrap it in plastic wrap. When I got enough, I would set down and cut, and then, fire it, clean it off, fire it and then you glaze it – you glaze it from two to seven times, depending on the color. You have to put it on in layers and bake it between layers. Then, you have to fire it again and then, you get to have fun because … you get to put it all together! I started the horse, and someone asked, “Are you doing the four horses of the Apocalypse?” Then, I thought that’s total destruction of our world, so I decided to do the second coming of Christ.
I finished that one and I had so much fun. Then, I thought I had to have something to go with it. And I was reading Revelation and enjoying reading it, so I decided to do the whole story.
How did you learn about the book of Revelation?
If you go to YouTube and put in “Pastor Chuck Smith,” he teaches the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, word by word and piece by piece. I listened to his explanation of Revelation. I’ve done them all … I’ve done Billy Graham and Dr. Jeremiah, but I like this guy the best of everybody. He teaches the Bible, but when he gets there, and he explains that and he doesn’t refer to all other places, where if you go to church the minister will jump all over.
Explanation of the “End of Time”
The series includes the following pieces:
Resurrection
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” ~ 1 Corinthians 15:52
Artist’s thoughts: Notice the last trumpet. Look for the faces, which are all different colors, representing all nations, colors and creeds.
Four Horses of the Apocalypse
“And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” ~ Revelation 6:2
“And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”
~ Revelation 6:4
“And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.” ~ Revelation 6:5
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.” Revelation 6:8
Artist’s thoughts: On the white horse, note the bow, but no arrow, which means he’s not coming to do war, to make peace for three-and-a-half years; then he’ll stand on the throne and demand that everyone worship him and take the mark of the beast. The red horse is war and features a sword. The black horse is famine with empty scales and gray horse is death, represented by a sickle.
Jesus’ Second Return
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” ~ Revelation 19:11
Artist’s thoughts: Look for the little horses behind Christ. Those are the saints and every face is different. Jesus is coming to make battle and to claim back the title deed to the world. Note the markings on the horse’s thigh – exultations including “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords.”
Great White Throne
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” ~ Revelation 20:11
Artist’s thoughts: This is about the last judgement. It took the longest to make. Cherubs are not pretty. While I was firing the cherubs in the kiln, I heard popping. They had blown up. I had to remake them. You’ll also see 12 apostles and 12 elders in this piece. The great white throne is where people who were not saved during the Tribulation will be judged.
Hell
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. ~ Revelation 20:15
Artist’s thoughts: Hell is just hell. Note the tormented faces within the lake of fire.
Paradise
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” ~ Revelation 22:14
Artist’s thoughts: This represents the tree of life with its “twelve manner of fruits.” The number 12, to me, represents the 12 tribes.
If you would like to read more about Juanita Herrell’s life, please see Ozarks’ Alive’s excellent story, “Pieces of create mosaics – and life.”
