FAITH – acrylic painting

$150.00

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This original 8in x 10in acrylic painting features the word FAITH done in Celtic style lettering in vibrant shades purple with metallic gold accents and red dot work. The background of this piece is a rich multi-layer exploration of color and texture on heavyweight paper. The lettering style, gold gilded background and fine red dot outlines take their cue from the incredible work of medieval Celtic Gospel illuminators.

Presented as it is on this rich gold accented background, faith takes on new strength and vitality as this artworks main color, purple, is seen to represent power and royalty.

This unframed work of art arrives in a clear protective sleeve with certificate of authenticity. Dated and signed by the artist on back of piece.

Framing options available here — Framing Option

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ARTIST STATEMENT

The work of creating an illuminated gospel or psalter was a devotional activity or an act of private worship for the medieval Celtic artist, and I have taken a similar approach in my painting practice. The work was incredibly labor intensive and artists would spend hour upon hour at their craft. Many of these gospel volumes were collaborative projects with more than one individual contributing. One may have written the text, another created the illustrations and a third the intricate carpet pages and beginning text pages.

The finished book was often used in public worship or for evangelism. In the Celtic Christian tradition, it was the written word that was given decorative attention while worship spaces remained fairly simple and without much adornment. In the decorative interlacing of shapes and spirals, creatures and colors  of Celtic art lie the interweavings of a complex, yet ordered universe, the mingling of heaven and earth, and the divine dance of God with man.

I had the opportunity to visit the Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland back in 2016...

The exhibit is packed with visitors. At the end of the large entry room filled with various displays on the history, craftsmanship and notable features of the gospel volumes was a staircase leading visitors to a much smaller upper level room where the volumes of the book were on display. The room is dimly lit with a large glass case at its center. A few at a time, visitors could approach the book for a look. A 30-second glance is all most individuals seemed to give this legendary work of Christian art.

When I finally make it to the case, it is like a life-changing moment of discovery for me. My eyes have now adjusted to the low light (so as to preserve this precious artifact), I lean over the glass. The book is not as large as I was expecting. The pages virtually move with their intricately woven Celtic knot work, small precise shapes, mysterious creatures and figures. It’s as if it is alive, it’s breath-taking! I don’t want to leave, honestly. I want to keep studying these few pages. To be polite, I step to a corner of the room and then hop back in line for a 2nd view…3rd view…4th view…By now the rest of my tour group has long left the display and many have headed to a Sunday worship service at one of the cathedrals in Dublin. I decide to make this display my morning worship experience. In my opinion, few works of art in the world have given God such glory and honor.

I found it somewhat sad how after standing in line for an hour or more outside, people so quickly whizzed through the Book of Kells exhibit there at Trinity College. In their haste to push through the crowds and be able to say that had “seen” the great book, what had they missed? Had this book affected them in any way? Had they truly gazed into and grappled with the mystery that can be found here? Did they depart having received a gift from this encounter?

In 1185, Giraldus Cambrensis wrote this description of a book (possibly even the Book of Kells) he had an opportunity to view in Kildare, Ireland:

“…if you take the trouble to look very closely, and penetrate with your eyes to the secrets of the artistry, you will notice such intricacies, so delicate and subtle, so close together, and well-knitted, so involved and bound together, and so fresh still in their colorings that you will not hesitate to declare that all these things must have been the result of the work, not of men, but of angels.” — Giraldus Cambrensis

Michelle-signature

 

Additional information

Weight 1 oz
Dimensions 8 × 10 in

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