Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Mary Herself

"Mary Contemplating the Life of Christ," (in progress), 20" x 24," egg tempera


"The First Night," 11" x 14," egg tempera


"L'madone et L'Infant de Remy de Saint," 4 3/16" x 5 13/16", egg tempera miniature on vellum


"Avalon Madonna with Yellow Flowers," 1 7/8" x 2 5/8," egg tempera miniature on vellum


"Mary & Jesus, Aix en Provence Exterior Wall,"small miniature study, 
1 1/4" x 1 1/2," egg tempera on vellum

More on the pastel tomorrow, but I realized that along with my portrait series where I try to show the "Mary" within each of us, I enjoy painting Mary herself, and because of this, I thought it would be meaningful to share with you the various ways in which I've attempted to portray her so far. 

One of the special aspects of Mary was her life as the mother of Christ, and at the top of the post I have included a painting in progress.  I've been working on this painting of Mary where in an introspective moment she is contemplating the future of Jesus's life, almost seeing it in advance. Behind Mary and Jesus in the background are scenes from the future life of Christ.

5 comments:

Kathleen Coy said...

What an ambitious piece of work Mona, it is beautiful! You've really captured the power of a mothers love for her child. And the colors just glow! Wow!

Debra Keirce said...

Yes, these are some very powerful pieces. I really enjoy seeing how you paint light in your pieces. You are so good at the shiny golds, and the almost transluscent blues. I don't know if that is partly the egg tempura, because I've never painted with it, but keep it up. It's beautiful!

Mona Diane Conner said...

Thanks Kathleen and Deb. I am planning to try to do a video demo sometime next week on how I make egg tempera medium, but over the week ahead I have a busy time because, surprise!---my Mom is getting married again!

She will be 84 this year, so it's a late marriage.
I hope to do a post about it on the day it happens, but if I'm tied up for a few days over the weekend and the early part of next week, that's why.

artbyakiko said...

Mona, these are all amazing paintings of Mary. Especially the first two are very emotional. In the first one, the red/orange color of her hair and gown capture my eyes. Can't wait to see the finished painting.

Mona Diane Conner said...

Thanks Akiko, I'm looking forward to finishing this one, and yes, I'll share my progress on it.