Mary, etc.

Hmmm....about this latest obsession with painting the "Madonna". Well, who knows why really? I think it's the feminine element that I'm trying to convey. No offense to the religious folk out there, however, I'm not necessarily promoting the conventional understanding of Mary.

There has always been a Mother/Virgin element running through multiple cultures. In my paintings I don't include the child for some reason...maybe I'll add that. I also have these Madonnas corresponding to a sign of the zodiac. I don't know why. Just seemed like a good idea.

I actually was baptized Catholic and went to catechism, did my first communion and confirmation. I don't think I was very good at the whole thing. I'm reading a book called "The Cloister Walk" by Kathleen Norris. It's about her experience as an oblate in a benedictine monastery. Very enlightening.

I enjoy reading, in fact I MUST read. It keeps me sane. If not completely sane, it keeps me from going too far into my shadow self.