My intrigue with mixed media (in my case, paper and paint) began with the Vegas painting featured on the home page of my website.  You can see the subject, yet if you look closely, many hidden treasures are found within the collage.  Lately, I have been working in similar fashion with a series of ladies.  My muses were chosen for their importance to me and/or their symbolism to the world.

The painting above, Peaceful Provocation of the Imagination, was inspired by my daughter, Catherine.  She loves to read and quite often, she is quietly buried in a book.  At times, my husband and I would worry that she was avoiding her family or not adjusting well to her new school.  Truly, she was just being Catherine, the literature lover.  I decided to celebrate her passion for books with a painting.  In it, her hair is wildly floating as words excitedly create images in her mind.  A pile of books anxiously awaits her attention. You will find a small four-legged friend in the background doorway, symbolic of those who were missing her affections.   Catherine may have inspired this painting, but fellow bibliophiles may enjoy their own interpretation.

Don’t be fooled. Divine Magic is not just a painting of the Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I am Catholic, but it is not intended to be a “Catholic-only” painting, even though many would make that assumption.  There are many layers of paper, images and words submersed in the paint.  This painting is the story of the chaos (her dress) in our lives and world, and the fact that no matter our beliefs, someone greater is looking out for us (her large stature).  Our protector is real, however may be only regarded as a symbol or legend in our lifetime.  The face is veiled with words, depicting an opaque spirituality.  Arms are open and welcoming.  A cape resembles cold concrete, but it’s strength envelopes the chaos.  A small earth symbolizes the enormous depth of our universe, the large moon illuminates brightness in the dark. Traditional iconic treatment of golden halos and angels are depicted.  Too much information?  There is more to share, but I will leave it for you to discover. Zoom in. Contemplate it closely. Develop your own interpretation.  And next time you are at an art museum or show, explore the masterpieces a little more closely.  Give them your own story.

Now…to my next muse…