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| Virgin Mary of Breezy Point by Stephen B. Whatley |
Stephen B Whatley | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Commentary by Loci B. Lenar
For anyone unfamiliar with the artwork of Stephen B. Whatley, his paintings are recognized internationally. A feature story about this talented artist and his Christian tributes appears in the September 2011 issue of Catholic Life magazine, published in the UK. The article,
Stephen B. Whatley the Praying Artist is reprinted on the website of
www.Christian-Miracles.com.
More recently, Stephen's painting of
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha - the first Native American canonized by Rome on October 21, 2012, is featured in
The Vatican Past and Present (Issue 11: November 2012 - January 2013; published by The Universe Media Group Ltd).
The painting of the
Virgin Mary of Breezy Point and following article is reprinted by permission from the artist.
From the website of Stephen B. Whatley:
A new tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, inspired by the statue 'miraculously' left standing as the only remains of The Catholic Church of St. Genevieve in Breezy Point, NY, destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. She stands as a memorial to all those who tragically lost their lives and homes during that storm that assaulted New Jersey and the East Coast of America.
The beautiful statue, standing amongst the ruins of the church was first highlighted by journalist Natalie Keyssar in the Wall Street Journal; and quickly became known as the Virgin Mary, Our Lady or The Madonna of Breezy Point.
This pastel drawing was partly inspired by the beautiful photograph, taken by Bobby Plasencia, showing here on Flickr:
www.flickr.com/photos/op204/8156903668/in/photostream
Created through December 13 and 14, 2012, expressionist artist Stephen B. Whatley shows this new tribute in memory of both all those felled by the storm; and most recently in sympathy for all those lives devastated on December 14 at the school in Newtown, Connecticut. May faith go some way to consoling those in the most devastating state of grief. Peace.
Pastel on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
To view more of Stephen's work or to order prints, please visit
www.stephenbwhatley.com.
