Laughing Maria (part of the series: The Virgin's emotions) Print

I was invited two years ago to an art exhibition by a well known Greek painter who only paints religious representations with a modern twist. I wondered that day what will be my own interpretation of the oldest form of painted art. During a trip to Greece, my husband and I looked up iconographical paintings for our house and while looking around at all those beautiful liturgical representations, I suddenly knew what I wanted to paint. My favorite religious pictures were always that of the Virgin and Jesus as a child. Maybe this is because it's one of the first icons I have ever seen as my mother has one hanging next to her dresser, or maybe it is because it showcases a mother's love and I am a mom of two beautiful children, or just maybe because it shows a more earthy and reachable love, we as humans can easily grasp and understand. Whatever the reason is, I knew I wanted to paint Mary and baby Jesus. Traditionally, all the Virgin's representations I have seen in my life depict a sad, crying one, or at best, one that is smiling tenderly. I wanted mine to glow, I wanted her to laugh, to be happy with her new baby boy, I wanted her to be bursting with happiness and love. After all, she is a mother and her love for her child is just like every mother, immense, intense and with no boundaries. So here is my own spin on the Virgin and child: colorful, happy, intense, bursting with love and happiness, the Virgin holding her baby up high, as she is filled with pride and love. Baby Jesus looks up to the sky, as if talking to the angels in the sky. One thing that I had not noticed when I started this painting, and has been pointed out by one of my dearest friend, is that the two halos make a perfect heart :) It is so perfect that I was able to finish this painting on Christmas 2014, as a way to celebrate the magic and miracle of Christmas.

Print:Giclee on Fine Art Paper

Size:10 W x 10 H x 0.1 D in

Size with Frame:15.25 W x 15.25 H x 1.2 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.