Pockets full of Posies

In the face of a global pandemic, I did what I’ve done many times before - paint. I paint to calm my mind, give myself something to focus on, and to remember creation in the face of destruction.

So I started creating these small “posies” - nosegays to ward off the plague, if you will. The brushstrokes took on the shapes of hearts, sending some love and hope out into the world. As I created them, I mailed them off to family and friends in lieu of sharing physical space.

I’m sure there will be more yet to come. But, as I’ve collected the images before mailing them out, I’m sharing them more widely in this virtual space. I hope societal changes and improved health(care) will be with us soon…

Small Posies i

Gouache on cold press paper, 2 x 3.5

Small Posies ii

Gouache on cold press paper, 2 x 3.5

Posies I

Gouache on laid paper, 4 x 6

Posies II

Gouache on cold press paper, 4 x 6

Posies III

Gouache on laid paper, 4 x 6

Posies IV

Gouache on laid paper, 4 x 6

Posies V

Gouache on recycled wedding stationery, 5 x 7

Posies VI

Gouache on recycled wedding stationery, 5 x 7

Posies VII

Gouache on recycled wedding stationery, 5 x 7

Lenten and Easter Season for Lumina Arts

I was honored to create a series of paintings for the Lenten and Easter season and the Lumina Arts Incubator at Grace UMC, Wilmington in February. They were such a joy to create, from burning palms and making paint to the symbolism for each holy day. There are five in total, Ash Wednesday, Lent (Pelican in her Piety), Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter Sunday.

A limited number of 8x10 prints are now available for $20 plus $8 for USPS. Please send me a note if you’d like to purchase a print!

Ash Wednesday

Traditionally, the Ashes of Ash Wednesday are made from the previous year's palms from Palm Sunday. I've carefully burned my palms, ground and sifted them, and made the paint which I then used in smudge-like brush strokes.

Lent (Pelican in Her Piety)

The Pelican in Her Piety is a symbol for Christ's passion common in Medieval European Churches. Her nest is heart shaped and she is set against a purple background and the three crosses on Golgotha for the Lenten season.

Palm Sunday

For Palm Sunday I've put the focus on the palmette design in Liturgical purple and rose, fading from the Joyous triumphant entry into the more somber colors as we enter holy week.

Maundy Thursday

On Maundy Thursday, I've depicted the Eucharist and the lights of the Tenebrae, which are gradually extinguished. There are 15 lights in all, for the 12 apostles, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and the Christ Candle at the top. Again the purple color for Lent is featured in the Trinity and Quatrefoil symbols.

Easter Sunday

The colors of Easter stand in bright contrast to Lent, with bright red, triumphant gold, and pure white. Easter lilies represent Christ resurrected and Dogwood flowers represent the cross, which is believed to have been made of Dogwood.

Creatrix Rising at Lumina Arts

UPDATE! With the current pandemic, we have postponed the show until October. The Facebook event (link below) has been updated to reflect the new date. In the mean time, take care, stay healthy, and I’ll see you in the fall if not before then.

Well I wrote about it and now it will come to pass! In May I will be showing my paintings with the support of the Lumina Arts Incubator at Grace UMC in Wilmington. This exhibition will be a collection celebrating feminine creative energies inspired by my recent ascent into motherhood. The paintings will be on display for the month of May at Grace UMC in Wilmington with an opening reception on Friday, May 1st as part of the Wilmington Art Loop. Here’s a link to the Facebook event, I hope to see you there!