Tuesday, December 11, 2012

A Virgin A Day #11


This week, I read of many who had lost loved ones.  So much sorrow so close to Christmas.  I was moved to search Our Lady of Sorrows and discovered this unusual portrait created by the artists below.  Friends who are grieving - this is for you.


John and Marilyn Moyes are among the earliest residents of the Kayenta community in Ivins--a town nestled at the base of the Red Mountains in southwestern Utah.  The artists gain inspiration from the immediacy of nature and culture of the southwest.  Aside from the red rock cliffs and panoramic views of the Santa Clara plateau, they are influenced by the political and cultural histories of people throughout the Americas.  They embrace the American heritage of mixed cultures, often drawing from the Old West as well as Spanish colonial religious iconography.  Their works have included imagery of southwestern landscapes as well as portraits of Native Americans and influential artists.

John and Marilyn have been creating art for over thirty years.  The pair have focused on wood working, with an emphasis on cabinet-making, for approximately twenty-five years. All cabinets are completely handcrafted by John with mortise and tenon joinery.  Comprehensive finishing processes of carving, painting, staining, sanding, burning, and waxing make up rich, multi-layered "canvases" for Marilyn's mixed media paintings of metals, glass, paper, and miscellaneous found objects.  Quality craftsmanship is evident in each fully finished work--woodwork details at the rear and interior of each cabinet, interior finishing (including the undersides of shelves and interior side panels), hardware details, and often a second painting by Marilyn on the interior of the cabinet door.

More of their beautiful work can be found at http://www.villasandverandas.com/mm.htm


12 comments:

carol l mckenna said...

Beautiful 'Our Lady' ~ a real tribute to those grieving ~
blessings to you ~

(A Creative Harbor) aka artmusedog and Carol ^_^

turquoise cro said...

Thank YOU Annie! Yes, I am still grieving too for my mom! This will be the second Christmas without her. Lovely art, I want to get back some day soon to creating something!! Have a SWEET day my friend! ((((((Annie))))))

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

This is a very moving representation of Mary.

Mary of the Menorah

J C said...

I love this painting Annie. I went to their website. Awesome work they do. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I enlarged the image to see its detail and it is so lovely. As soon as I post this I will visit their site. Thanks for sharing this.

gma said...

This is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing this. It means a lot! LOVE

Dawn Elliott said...

This is just the kind of art that I love so dearly - thank you for sharing these wonderful artists, their work, and a tribute to loss, as well.

rebecca said...

so much beauty, caring and comfort in your offering today, thank you annie. i look forward to following the link and seeing more of their sensitive and expressive work.

Lenora said...

with our joyous season comes sadness and grief for many.. it is important to recognize this and offer our comfort..

Jenny Woolf said...

What a very beautiful and consoling picture.

Felisol said...

I take this to my heart and make it mine.
I'm waking over my mother. She's had a stroke. Friday my aunt is going to be buried.
Christmas hymns are filling the air in the room and now also Mother Mary; Lady of Sorrow, but also of empathy and comfort.

Naturegirl said...

Annie very appropriate for me as I still grieve the loss of my mother as her birthday passed earlier this month. Christmas approaches and my heart aches as I also received news from my Vet that one of my beloved felines is nearing her time to pass so I try to maintain a state of gratitude for the time I have left with my sweet Paisley.Mother Mary give me comfort.
Annie thankyou for visiting my blog which brought me here this a.m. xo