WOMAN

“Called”
oil on wood; 60″ x 48″,
collection of Bjorn and Barbara Iwarsson

The “Woman” series was a natural outgrowth of the Mary paintings (Magnificat). I found that as I meditated upon and attempted to paint the life of the Virgin Mary, I was drawn to reflect more on the nature of a woman’s face and form––not as an object of desire but as an image of discipleship, strength, and a deeper form of beauty than is generally considered in our popular commercial culture. The models were family and close friends, and each of the woman and girls chosen has a interiority and strength I associate with Mary and her “Yes” to the divine.

detail of “Betrothed”
oil on wood, gold and silver leaf on wood; 60″ x 48″,
collection of Walter and Darlene Hansen

“Daughter and Mother”
oil on wood; 60″ x 48″,
collection of Whitworth University, Spokane, WA

“Girl”
oil, gold and silver leaf on wood on wood; 60″ x 48″,
collection of Grant and Sandi Lowe

“Nocturne”
oil on wood; 46″ x 24″,