December

ADVENT

I think the radical act is to take time to walk through the story of Jesus: 

from the Annunciation through his birth.

I have illustrated six cards to help with recalling this history.

The cards are packaged in a plastic container and on the back of each card is the Gospel reference and a number to guide the child or adult through the sequence of events.

These cards make a wonderful addition to the manger, creche, or nativity set that you set up each CHRISTMAS

Set of six cards in plastic envelope
$10.00
contact me to order: athomewsoul@gmail.com

October thru November, the company of Saints and All Souls

October 4th, Feastday of Saint Francis: he has been my companion as I have to look for another place to live. I have lost my new, since last July, apartment. I write this on the feast of All Souls, Nov. 2nd. As another great Saint in our tradition reminds us, 

"Let nothing disturb you, all things are passing , God  is"

 St. Teresa of  Avila, October 15

September the Beautiful

Here in Ontario our nights are colder and the trees are beginning to slow down for the winter, giving up their green color and as if to mark the changing they send out bursts of orange, yellow and a rich red. We can't get enough of the landscapes during this season, it is all so beautiful. September is marked in our Catholic calendar with the celebration of the three Archangels and another day to honor the Guardian angels that each one of us has. In these paintings I have gone to the Iconography of the Religious Art of New Mexico, putting my own interpretation using acrylic colors,and colored Japanese papers. I invite you to hang these Images in your home for blessing and to remind yourself that these Angels are a sure thing.

Archangel Raphael
The Angel of Healing
Painted on a solid wood door
9 inches x 24inches

Three Archangels
Hand painted, framed  in Japanese Paper and mounted on wood door
SOLD

Three Archangels
Photos of Original art work in metal frame
SOLD

August 15: The Feast of the Assumption

Today is a great Feast Day in the Catholic tradition: the Assumption of the Mother of God. I was thinking about Our Lady, that she was so full of God, no weight of earth's heaviness left in her that she 'floated' off, to where we are all destined for.

I mentioned that I moved in July and these photos are of the entrance to my new apartment. This is a two story building converted into two apartments, so I have this 'stairway to no where, or to Heaven?' I have laid out  books and art work that are for sale and the whole entrance to my apartment has become a shrine. I am so blessed and everyday when I visit this corner  I light a candle for all your intentions.

JULY=

Staying with my monthly theme, the history of the word July is all about Julius Caesar who reformed the Roman Calendar in 46 B.C. giving us the Julian calendar.

Then God got so small and entered our time, God who has no limit, no beginning, no end took on our time.  

                           

                      

A collection of small Icons for sale.

May runs into June and the Archangels show up

 In May 2012 I took a one week Icon workshop at a Russian Orthodox Monastery in Jordanville, NY. 

The class was taught by two Russians with a translator. The fruit of that week is the egg tempra Icon of St. Michael on the left. This past May, I was working an old canvas and experimenting with colors, in acrylic. The fruit of that is the painting on the right, again, St. Michael. 

Two Archangels
May 2012 & May 2014
Egg Tempra 2012
Acrylic 2014

Archangel Michael
acrylic on silk

This blue/gold painting above is another Archangel Michael that I just completed and it is acrylic on a piece of silk gold leaf sari.

                                                                                           

To purchase any of the paintings posted on this Blog, contact Mariann at this email address: athomewsoul@gmail.com

April = Open

April, opening, buds to blossoms. This year our Easter comes deep into April, hopefully with an abundance of trees in full bloom. This painting started out with a loosely painted cruciform figure in vivid pinks,orange and deep purple. I then cut out a Tree of Life pattern and attached it over the cruciform figure,just under the head. Then I took the colored sheet that had the stencil of the Tree cut away , flipped the direction and attached that as my third layer onto this board. Viewing this work from a distance there is a big movement, like the energy of a dance pulsing, pushing that mysterious life force that opens everything in this season.

The Dancing Tree
acrylic, chiyogami paper on board
16 x 16

March = Warrior

Pause,Pray,Receive
18 x 18
Acrylic on board

In the midst of this long cold winter I was happy to read that March is about the Warrior. I need the good blessing of this archetype right now in my life. Courage, but also to look at the sword my angel carries,how is it meant to help me, what needs to die?

Interestingly, this March 05, is also the beginning of Lent in my tradition, a path is offered for a warriors journey.  Please contact me:  athomewsoul@gmail.com  to purchase.

February= Purification

 There is a Sufi story that Coleman Barks has translated from his love affair with Rumi.

"There was a school of fish and they decided to hold a symposium to discuss the existence of the sea...So they agreed on a place, a time and they showed up, broke into small groups...

all the while they were swimming in it."

 I love this story, it inspired this painting, this God? while we're all ready in it.

contact me athomewsoul@gmail.com   for price/availability

Living Water
18 x 18
acrylic on wood

January=the Door

Cosmic Meditation
acrylic and gold leaf
18 x 24
on wood panel
how come I can't pick up the greens in this painting?
flash had to be on, all other photo's were so dull without the light