My painting is a prayer. Every piece in this gallery has a story, a prayer that inspired its creation.
Roses of Tepeyac
In 1531, Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to St. Juan Diego and asked him to climb Tepeyac Hill and gather the flowers he found there. When he reached the top of the hill, he was amazed to find Spanish Castilian Roses blooming in the Mexican desert - during winter!
I love to envision Our Lady’s Mantle and the Roses of Tepeyac artistically. This is one of many variations of my paintings that honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Blooming!
What a delight it is to paint these colorful blooming florals! As I paint with these light and cheery spring colors, I am reminded that in the heart of one who loves Jesus it is always springtime!
Mantle of Stars
Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the ministry I founded, Hope’s Garden. At Hope’s Garden, we ministry to survivors of domestic abuse and betrayal trauma. We pray that Our Lady of Guadalupe will keep us all enfolded in her mantle of comfort and protection. I paint these images of her mantle as a reminder of her message to St. Juan Diego:
“Do not be bothered or afflicted by anything; do not be afraid of getting sick, or of another painful accident or pain. Am I not here, I who am your mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not life and health? Are you not on my lap and under my care? Do you need anything else?”
Mystical Rose (Sparkle)
As I prayed for the recipient of this custom painting, I imagined the love of Christ bursting forth from within her soul as sparkling fractals of light. To achieve that effect, I used an acrylic medium thick with iridescent particles.
Seek What Is Above
This custom paining was truly a work born from prayer. All I knew about the recipient was that he was persevering in a long arduous journey and needed some encouragement. As I prayed and asked the Lord to help me design an image, I had a sense that what this gentleman needed to know was that he had already overcome many mountains in his life and as long as he kept seeking the light from above, he would arrive at a season of peace and rest.
Hive of Holiness
Designing and creating this painting was such a prayerful experience. As I prayed and asked the Lord what image He wanted me to paint for the recipient, I was inspired by the teachings of St. Francis de Sales. St.Francis exhorts us to be as a mystical bee in our prayer and to drink deeply of the sweet nectar of God.
I envisioned pondering God’s mysteries within the heart to be like the process of transforming nectar into honey in the hive. Oh what sweet honey the mystical bee can make! What joy to share the Lord's sweetness with others. What if every heart became a "hive of holiness"?
Psalm 104:34 "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD."
Under the Apple Tree
Can you imagine the joy and peace of sitting with Jesus under the apple tree in the Garden of Eden? I did as I painted this soothing image inspired by the Song of Songs.
“As an apple tree among the trees of the orchard, so is my Beloved among the young men. In his longed-for shade I am seated and his fruit is sweet to my taste.” (2:3)
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us and let Your love and living water rain down upon the world. Make our hearts like unto Thine.
Fire of Love
I love love love painting the Fire of Christ the Bridegroom’s Love as a bright blooming flower! This painting was also inspired by the Song of Songs.
“Set me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is strong as Death, jealousy relentless as Sheol. The flash of it is a flash of fire, a flame of Yahweh himself.” (8:6)
Nectar of Love
One of the titles for our Blessed Mother is Mystical Rose. When I have pondered the meaning of this title, I have imagined Mary as a beautiful perpetually blooming rose whose fragrance is so sweet that it allures the Holy Trinity to her as bees are drawn to the irresistible perfume of a rose. This painting was inspired by my contemplation of Mary, Mystical Rose of God, and the image of the Holy Trinity as mystical bees seeking the sweet nectar of her holiness.
Consider the Wildflowers
This painting was just a joy to paint! It began as a challenge to use the leftover paint on my granddaughters’ palettes. I am so glad I didn’t just toss those paper plate palettes in the trash. As the image took shape in my mind and then on the canvas, I was reminded of the scripture verse about wildflowers. And what began as a way not to waste paint became a cheerful, colorful reminder of God’s providence and loving care.
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28
Blooming Together
In my ministry to women who have been victims of domestic abuse, I often tell the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Juan Diego. Our Lady cares for us and keeps us enfolded in her mantle just as she tenderly cared for and enfolded the miraculous roses on Tepeyac Hill in Juan Diego’s tilma. I pray for all victims of domestic abuse every time I paint this image. May Mother Mary enfolded us all in her mantle of comfort and protection where we will bloom together.
Mystical Rose
“Mary is the “Rosa Mystica,” the Mystical Rose
Mary, the Blessed Mother, is the most beautiful flower that ever was seen in the spiritual world. It is by the power of God’s grace that from this barren and desolate earth there have ever sprung up at all flowers of holiness and glory. And Mary is the Queen of them. She is the Queen of spiritual flowers; and therefore she is called the Rose, for the rose is fitly called of all flowers the most beautiful.” Cardinal John Henry Newman
Rose in Bloom
Every woman is a rose blooming in God’s garden!
Each mini rose painting is unique just as every woman is unique, irreplaceable, and unrepeatable.
These one of a kind paintings make a great gift for a beloved sister, daughter, mother, or friend - or for yourself. May every woman who receives one be reminded of your belovedness every time she sees it!
You can purchase a mini rose painting with display easel here.
Our Lady’s Roses
The blue roses are a reminder of Mary, Mystical Rose, and her blue mantle in which she enfolds all her precious sons and daughters.
Golden
“This painting means so much to me; first because Laura prayed about it throughout the painting process, and she also prayed for me personally. And then, Jesus led her to a song titled “I’m Golden”, so that is the name of my painting. It’s beautiful and so special to me. Thank you Laura for your special gift.” Lisa O’Leary
Mystical Rose (Radiance)
I have painted many of the Mystical Rose images for women and every one turns out unique. The materials are the same every time so I know the difference is in the praying and the working of the Holy Spirit.
“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better.” – Andre Gide
Blooming in the Darkness
“My painting was my prayer late last night. I had no idea what image I would paint just that I needed to let the thoughts and emotions stirring in my heart find expression.
As I swirled iridescent graphite, metallic black, silver, and iridescent white paints together I pondered how the light of Christ pierces through our darkest days and touches the deep hidden places within that seem to have grown cold and become lifeless. And in the secret depths of our being the seeds that we didn't even know had been planted, begin to awaken.
The tenderness of His love nurturing and stretching these seeds until one day you notice that a new flower has bloomed. It seems so sudden but in truth the process had begun unbeknownst to you... deep underground, in the stillness and darkness of winter... just like the first crocus of a long-awaited springtime.
So if you are enduring a long, cold, and dark winter, (not just physically!) may this painting remind you that the beauty of spring is only possible because of the hidden growth that happens in winter.”
From my journal
