I've been doing a series of saints to help benefit the Little Sisters of the Poor as you know if you are one of my usual readers. I don't know why I keep doing watercolor portraits. It's not easy. I need to do another medium but for some reason I feel an attraction to watercolor. It's not like I can't do acrylic or oil. But anyway...I ramble.
A little bit about this card and the symbolism of it. St. Philomena was an early church martyr. You can tell that by the red she is wearing. The palm is an early church symbol of Christianity - relates back to the waving of the Palms when Jesus was going to Jerusalem. The ring of flowers around her head tells us that she was a virgin. Notice the two arrows. It is tradition that a King wanted to marry her. She wanted to dedicate her life to Jesus and wanted no part of it. So she was thrown in the water with an anchor around her neck. But God freed the anchor and she survived. So the King had her showered with arrows which pierced her but she was healed of that. He did it again and again she survived. In the end, the King decapitated her and she died. So the 2 arrows represent the 2 times she was shot with arrows. St. Philomena is considered the patroness of the Rosary.
Hope that gives you a little insight into St. Philomena! :) My father's sister was named Philomena. Now I understand why my Grandmom named my aunt after her. She was faith-filled, virtuous and not to mention a tough cookie!
This card is available in my Etsy shop. 100% of the sale of this card goes to Little Sisters of the Poor St. Martins Home in Baltimore. Here's the link to the listing: http://www.etsy.com/listing/68362934/watercolor-aceo-original-st-philomena
Oh and just in case you want to help out the Little Sisters here's their link. They still are working on trying to find $25 million! http://littlesistersofthepoorbaltimore.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=63&Itemid=56
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Visit BlueChairDiary Blog for some awesome other Sunday Sketches: http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/
19 comments:
Joann your painting is lovely as is the story of her life. Thank you so much on this Sunday morning~~~
Love this! Your saints or inspired. :-)
Beautiful painting and I so love reading the stories behind your paintings.
wow this is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l!
this is alovely painting. i like her soft expression. have a great sunday
Sorry if per chance two comments pop up. Your painting is very lovely!
Poor lass! You did her justice though!
See we learn so much at Sunday Skethes. We love Saint stories - always fascinating! We have some favorites but did not know this one. The face has a certain beauty.
Not sure why you want to switch from watercolors when you use them so well! Great painting!
Smiles
It is great to read the story behind the painting... wonderful.
Very lovely sketch and great story! An excellent saint to share one's name with!
What a fantastic ACEO card! And TOTALLY loved the history you shared along with it. LOVE learning. =)
Happy SS!
This is a beautiful painting of your Saint. What a tragic story of faith.
This is great! I love the story behind it! Very beautiful! She was a tough cookie!
Lovely story and lovely picture
Beautiful painting of a fascinating woman!
wow - awesome work
wonderful piece
and amazing that you were able to make this so small.
Lovely painting! :) has a very nice feel to it.
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