"Mary in Amma in Kimberly" (final version)

"Mary in Amma in Kimberly," 19 1/2" x 25 1/2", pastel on La Carte sanded pastel paper

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"The 'Mary' in Kimberly," panel painting in progress

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I have started on a panel painting of "The 'Mary' in Kimberly" using an arched icon panel made by Pandora, my main panel supplier.  I am starting my painting with an egg tempera underpainting in soft greens including a pigment called Bohemian Green Earth, over which fleshtones will be laid in.  Egg tempera is a translucent painting medium used by icon writers of icon panels, and I use it overall for it's luminous effects.  Luminosity is built through the application of many thin translucent layers of paint.

"The 'Mary' in Kimberly", Two Versions

Study for "The 'Mary' in Kimberly," 19"W x 25"H, pastel and gold leaf on pink paper

Sketch for "The 'Mary' in Kimberly," 19"W x 25"H, charcoal and pastel on grey paper

Both of these pastels were done in preparation for portraying the 'Mary' in Kimberly, and the study with gold leaf has already been purchased by its model.

The 'Divine' in Arlynne

"The 'Divine' in Arlynne," 25"W x 19"H, pastel and charcoal on blue paper

Next I did a study, "The 'Divine' in Arlynne."  I discovered, once I had made this pastel, that the the Divine aspect I see within Arlynne is actually the Hebrew character of Ruth.  Although it's much more complex in terms of scriptural interpretation, and it's only part of what I see in Arlynne, one example is that in Ruth's life she faced difficult situations by delivering strength with hesed, or lovingkindness. 

It occurs to me underneath it all that if lovingkindness is genuine, it's actually our lovingkindness, our compassion, that helps us to be strong in the face of our difficulties, and not the other way around, but what do you think?  Do you see the 'Ruth' in it's dual nature as it expresses itself through Arlynne in this drawing too?