THE HEART OF MARY
About the paintings........................
My passion throughout this project was to portray Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a human being to whom we of today’s culture might more easily relate, not only during the Christmas Season but also throughout the year. For this reason, I used "artistic license" to image her a little older than most Bible scholars would suggest. And the purpose of this God-directed project is simply to share the Good News through His gift of art.
While working on each painting, I often imagined Mary living in Nazareth, a small village in the Galilee region of the Middle East... Mary laboring with her family to survive... Mary's deep faith in God... Mary's excitement over her upcoming marriage to Joseph...
But God had something else in mind for Mary! He handpicked her above every other Jewish girl in her generation to be the mother of the Son of God. He wanted a girl He could trust all the way to the end. He saw her sincere and holy devotion to Him, even in hard times, knowing those qualities would enable her in the turbulent years ahead to hear and obey Him even when she didn't understand.
As I painted THE VISITATION, I imagined hearing a pin drop as Gabriel awaited Mary's answer. Many options surely flashed through her mind as she counted the cost of being pregnant before her marriage: Her family's good name, losing Joseph's love and respect, the whisperings. I also imagined the doubters of our day: Pregnant by the Holy Spirit...yeah...RIGHT! No doubt Mary briefly pondered, "Even though God knows I am pure, it will appear as though I have been unfaithful to Joseph." She surely had been taught that in her day a wife could legally be stoned to death because of her infidelity. Nevertheless, Mary answered, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38
So after searching Scripture and sketching, pondering and painting for one full year, THE HEART OF MARY series has evolved -- from the heart of Mary, the artist. And when the painting "by heart" couldn't quite get it right, thankfully, daughter, Laura, Gary and Little Miss Emily readily posed for me.
I hope you like the artwork. But even more, I hope you cherish the message!
11.25.06
Background Music: Take A Message To Mary, Chet Atkins Style
Midi Sequencer Unknown
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