Patron Saints

It could be my Irish ancestors, my Irish DNA but I love the Catholic tradition of having a patron saint for any occasion. Along side your guardian angel, why not ask any of the saints for the grace of great things. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, one of the many delightful discoveries in my travels is the culture and traditions of New Mexico. This 'San Antonio', Saint Anthony, is interpreted from the santero painter Antonio Molleno, works from 1800-1830. Perhaps it is the triumph of 'charm' over 'perfection' that draws me into this style of painting. It reminds me of my time spent with young children, reading the parable of The Good Shepherd together,( see the Gospel of John, chapter 10 ff), and then seeing the expression of the child's joy in their art work. Here too there is no stress to draw a face perfectly, what is common is huge joy shown by mouths that are proportionally exaggerated, hearts like tattoos and always huge hands. 

San Antonio/ St. Anthony holding Christ Child
5 x 6
acrylic on wood

St. Francis, St. Patrick, St. Jude and St. Anthony
5 x 6 wood blocks
A Shrine I made to display my Patron Saints collection 

Photo cards of the Three Archangels

Both of these "Three Archangels", paintings were commissioned  for the front entrance of homes. They are acrylic on wood and what I have now have for sale are photocards.

               To the angels God has given command that they guard you in all your ways      Ps 91

Archangel Gabriel The Annunciation

Annunciation #1
8 x 10
Acrylic on canvas

From my experience in 2006 with the first Icon I studied my teacher had an extensive library. One of her books: Ethiopia:Illuminated Manuscripts, from the UNESCO World Art series 1961, inspired this 'Annunciation'. You can see the Byzantine influence as Our Lady is holding the spindle of wool, the symbol read as 'she who spun God in her womb'.

Here we have Archangel Gabriel with the message:
Have no fear
Rejoice
God is with you

Annunciation #2
8 x 10
Acrylic on canvas

Framed

I have been shopping around for multi 4 x 6 frames to mount photo's of my three Archangels. July is a season for weddings and I've been gifting the three Archangels of Blessing and protection for the homes of these new couples.

Archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael
4 x 6 photos framed

Archangel Raphael
"The shining one who heals"
4 x 6 photo

A framed photo of Archangel Raphael next to the bed of
a loved one who is in need of healing.

Archangel Gabriel/ San Gabriel

In my research I did not find any retablos of San Gabriel. Looking at the characteristics of the santero painters, I created this interpretation of San Gabriel, inserting the two symbols from the Annunciation, the lily and the Ave.

The Annunciation: Luke 1:26-38            

                                                                 Have no fear

                                                                     Rejoice

                                                                God is with you

Archangel Gabriel San Gabriel
4 x 6
acrylic on Kozo, mat covered in Chiyogami
SOLD, photos available for framing

Archangel Raphael/ San Rafael

This is an interpretation of a retablo  from the Northern New Mexico tradition of the santero Pedro Antonio Fresquis, 1749-1831.

San Rafael is recognized by the symbols of the fish and the sack, the materials that carry the healing. The story of Archangel Raphael is found in the Old Testament in the book of Tobit.

Each of these Archangels have been assigned a day in the Catholic calendar and are Patrons of specific vocations or mediators of blessings. Archangel Raphael, whose name means

 "The shining one who heals", feast day is Sept 29 and is the Patron saint of Doctors and happy meetings. 

I am painting on Kozo, handmade Japanese paper and the mat is framed in Chiyogami, the silk screened Japanese paper. See post "A Tradition unique to Northern New Mexico" for first retablo in this series.

Archangel Raphael/ San Rafael
4 x 6
acrylic on Kozo, mat covered in Chiyogami
SOLD, photos available for framing

A Tradition unique to Northern New Mexico

When I lived in the American Southwest I was immersed in the religious art and traditions of my Hispanic neighbors. I traveled into Northern New Mexico and in Santa Fe I visited the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art   www.spanishcolonialblog.org/museum/ . On view are hundreds of retablos, images of saints/ santos painted on pine. I purchased the book: A Land So Remote, Vol 1, Religious Art of New Mexico 1780-1907. Larry Frank.  Each chapter introduces you to a Santero, or saint maker. This painting of San Miguel/ Saint Michael the Archangel is an interpretation of an Antonio Molleno, a santero who painted from 1800-1830s.  I am not painting on wood, I used Kozo, handmade Japanese paper, and the mat is covered in Chiyogami, the silk screened Japanese paper.

Archangel Michael/ San Miguel slaying the dragon
4 x 6
Acrylic on Kozo, framed in Chiyogami
SOLD, photos available for framing