Our Lady of America. 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
For Thursday, November 24, 2011: Happy Thanksgiving Day to my loved ones and friends in the United States of America!
I felt compelled to paint Our Lady of America, with many prayers, on the first day of this month, All Saints' Day....as Mary is the first - indeed the Queen - of the Saints.
The first approved Marian apparition in the USA was in 1859, in Champion, Wisconsin; but there have been 29 reported visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary across the States since 1944 (apparently in Detroit, MI) and through to 1996 (apparently in Brooklyn, NY).
In 1956, Sister Mary Ephrem received apparitions of Mother Mary as "Our Lady of America" in Rome City, Indiana; and instructed the nun to draw a picture of the vision she saw; and it was her description that partly inspired this new painting.
An official statue of Our Lady of America was enthroned in Washington, DC, just five years ago in November 2006; and in painting with faith, it was this statue that also contributed to my interpretation in oils.
May Our Lady bless America and the rest of the world - with peace.
'Our Lady of America' 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas
35.5 x 23.5in/90.2 x59.7cm
Our Lady of America. 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
For Thursday, November 24, 2011: Happy Thanksgiving Day to my loved ones and friends in the United States of America!
I felt compelled to paint Our Lady of America, with many prayers, on the first day of this month, All Saints' Day....as Mary is the first - indeed the Queen - of the Saints.
The first approved Marian apparition in the USA was in 1859, in Champion, Wisconsin; but there have been 29 reported visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary across the States since 1944 (apparently in Detroit, MI) and through to 1996 (apparently in Brooklyn, NY).
In 1956, Sister Mary Ephrem received apparitions of Mother Mary as "Our Lady of America" in Rome City, Indiana; and instructed the nun to draw a picture of the vision she saw; and it was her description that partly inspired this new painting.
An official statue of Our Lady of America was enthroned in Washington, DC, just five years ago in November 2006; and in painting with faith, it was this statue that also contributed to my interpretation in oils.
May Our Lady bless America and the rest of the world - with peace.
'Our Lady of America' 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
Oil on canvas
35.5 x 23.5in/90.2 x59.7cm