Art as Prayer

Here are some more WIP Progress pictures of the Virgen de la Alta Gracia. As I paint or sculpt, sometimes I feel that I am being guided by something bigger than I am. As I am painting this particular image, I look forward to sitting at my easel. Seeing the beauty of it all coming slowly together with each brush stroke I can feel a peace that comes into my heart. I almost feel like something heavenly takes hold of my hands and guides me to the right angle or right stroke or right color. Before I know it, I am feeling euphoric and peace-filled. I guess what I am trying to say, is that for me Art is like praying. It fills me when I am empty.

 

The crown is one of my favorite parts of the image!!

 

Stay tuned for further progress pics @(^_^)@

Virgen de la Alta Gracia Painting

My art has been a long love of mine but with work and family, I seldom get a chance to do it. So I thought I'd post some of the images of my new project. I am painting on fabric, Our Lady of High Grace which is the patron virgin of the Dominican Republic (La Virgen de la AltaGracia).  The country's official patron saint and Queen Protector of the heart of Dominicans. It will be a gift for our departing Franciscan Priest. It will be sewn onto his priestly robes, I am only hand-painting the image.

This is an image of the original painting which is said to have been painted in the late 15th century in Spain. It was mysteriously delivered by a shrouded old man who dropped the painting and disappeared. This portrait of the Virgin Mary in a Nativity scene is also in cloth.

 I usually don't do commissions because I usually like to choose subjects that inspire me. I chose to do this painting because it was a gift for our departing parish priest.

So I am starting with my rough sketch first, then I am transferring it onto fabric. Before I trace my sketch onto my fabric I sprayed a fixative on my sketch so that the graphite from the pencil didn't transfer to the fabric. WIP images of the process.

Rough Sketch
 

Transferred Sketch onto fabric

 

 

Started painting the background on the fabric with Acrylic Paints and Textile Medium.

 

 

Working on Fabric is a whole different experience. Blending colors is a little harder. I prepped my fabric with a combination of Gesso and Textile Medium so I can be able to have my Acrylic paint blend better. I did notice that to much of this mixture tends to pucker the fabric. So I used it lightly. I am going to heat set the paints with an iron when finished so hopefully the puckers will come out. Stay tuned I will try to post my progress.