In iconographal language, Mary has been held in the highest esteem, I guess for her silence and absolute obedience. We acclaim her to be the through service, surrender and acceptance. The delicate line painted through her neck is there to remind us of her deep silence and constant meditation. Mary being portrayed as the quiet servant as the mystical silent mother has been a hindrance to the development of women and their voice in the christian church institutions.
I have painted many Images of Mary and hear her speaking. The wisdom women have learned along with Mary has been kept in a sound proof room for centuries.
Catholic Women, Women in icons, and saintly women have all been silenced and had time to develop great wisdom waiting to be shared. Perhaps it is time for women to begin speaking out against a world which seems to accept murder and war, the trafficking of women and children, along with ravaging a planet we did not create but can actually destroy?
I find it ironic that Christian Mystics, mostly men have expanded spiritual understanding of God for nearly two thousand years because they spoke and used words, they have controlled and shaped our society.
Mary Icons, Her Voice and Message has not come to us in words, she is an elusive woman who by her most human act gave birth to the most transcendent truth which is love. This is by far the very thing the world needs for its healing. This group of three icons focuses on Mary Icons which teach a doctrine of trinity: Creator, Lover and Giver. The idea is not only christian, it is a recipe and teaching for a new attitude towards creation; each of us creates, we love and are tender with what we create and we each have the power to offer to the world what we have created.
There is more to glean from the wisdom of Mary Icons, Her Voice and Message needs to be explained in a new light for a new millennium.
Female icon painters are women who teach. Classes available.
Stupid witches.
why this comment? so intolerant that you cannot explain. peace