Annunciation - The First Joyful Mystery

Then the angel said to her, “Do notbe afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”— Luke 1:30-33

The First Joyous Mystery is my first painting in what I plan to be a series depicting the 20 mysteries of the Rosary.  The traditional Annunciation scent shows the angel Gabriel visiting the young Mary to tell her that she has been chosen to bear a son that will be the Messiah foretold in the old testament.  My painting of the scene is much more symbolic in nature showing the orange pathway (representing the primary colors of red for Christ and yellow for God the Father) that forever defines her life if she chooses to accept the call.  The blue semi-circle (a metaphor for the Holy Spirit) shows  the Blessed Mother the ominous future of her decision.  The wings of Gabriel are shown beside the pathway guiding Mary along the path of her life.

 

Prudence - The First Cardinal Virtue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prudence is my latest painting, a 30X40 canvas depicting the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence.  This will ultimately be part of a four painting series dedicated to the Cardinal Virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.  I began with Prudence since it has long been considered the guide for the other virtues (auriga virtutum).  Prudence disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it.

Been away from my blog for too long!

 

Well it's been many years since my last blog in 2009.  I haven't stopped painting, but other facets of my life have kept me from being as active as I would like.  Well I'm back!!!

This image is from Series - Virtues and Conversions that took longer to finish than I expected.  The Virtues and Conversions series takes the viewer through three religious conversions guided by three virtues. 

 These and more can be found at www.mcneelart.com.