25.12.10

Angels and Holy Child by Marianne Stokes

It is always a pleasure to discover great devotional art. This work by Marianne Stokes is really well done with great attention to  draughtsmanship and design.    A Blessed Christmas to all.

18 comments:

J.R.Howley said...

I am really quite surprised that no one has commented on this image. Is it perhaps too traditional ? Is it not emotional enough? possibly many feel it is not part of the theme of this blog, that is, illustration?

theodore said...

Hi John,
I think people are just busy these days.

I like certain aspects of this painting very much, and could only hope to gain the skill required to paint like this one day, but...

The angels kind of remind me of the creepy girls in The Shining. Mary looks like she is about to fall over and the plate above Jesus' head looks plain silly. There. How's that for a start. :)

J.R.Howley said...

Theodore,
Creepy girls in the shining????? You've got to be kidding. Maybe the problem is with 'the shining,' and not this image.

As for the plate above Jesus' head, is not a plate at all but a halo, sometimes painted like this following the angle of the head, but raised above it.

This composition is full of interesting angles. the angle of the infant king across Mary's Lap compared to Mary's position, compared to the tilt of the angels heads, compared to the tilt of the Vase in the straw. If you had bothered to look closely at the painting you might have noticed that Mary is not about to fall over but leaning against a pile of staw,asleep.

Herreid said...

J.R.: I've been busy, and that's why I hadn't commented.

I framed this painting a couple of years back for my wife, since it reminded me of our son, Bertie. He just would not sleep, and often my wife would doze off with him sitting wide-eyed in her lap, much the same as Mary and Jesus in this painting!

Though I have to admit that I do find the angels a tad creepy looking. In the version I framed, I cropped them out.

theodore said...

oops. mea culpa for missing the straw bale.

I DID realize that it was a halo, I just find halos in perspective a bit silly.

sorry if I offended with my flippant remarks.

J.R.Howley said...

Theodore,
Thanks for the response. It is my Mea Culpa for even putting this image up. I had no idea that catholic illustrators would refer to obvioulsy charming and well painted children ( as angels) as somehow 'Creepy'. I could understand ' poorly executed,' badly posed' or even 'too cutsey', but creepy is not an adjective that would ever comes to mind here. Obviously I am in the minority as others have agreed with you.

I must be from a different generation when it comes to sacred or devotional art.

theodore said...

I certainly hope you WILL post more images that are inspirational to you and much more of your own work as well.

I think you are overlooking the positive comments both John and I (John, has it on his wall for heavens sake) made about the image.... and as for the negative comments, we certainly don't speak for everyone who visits the site.

and I thank you for the lesson you've taught me in being attentive when I look at artwork.

J.R.Howley said...

Theodore- Thank you for reminding me that others opinions are valid for this is what leads to dialogue, and dialogue leads to new insights. My apologies if I seemed a bit on the defensive and a little hard headed.

Jason Tako said...

I love this painting. I first saw it on our parish calendar. Glad to see it here.

Anonymous said...

What does "draughtsmanship" mean?

J.R.Howley said...

Annonomous - 'Draughtsmanship' refers to the art of dawing.-A draughtsman or draftsman (the former more often in the UK, the latter more often in the US), is a person skilled in drawing. Overall, drawing well is inherent in good painting. When one draws well, it shows in the final painting; good proportions, gesture, and composition.

Anonymous said...

Thanks JR Howley.

Anonymous said...

Thanks JR Howley

J.R.Howley said...

Anonymous

You are very welcome.

Unknown said...

I love the ethereal paintings of this artist, Marianne Stokes. I'm taking lessons on the "miniature harp" and will bring a picture of this painting to class.

J.R.Howley said...

Barbara-

Thanks for your comment. I wonder if there are any more harpers/harpists in this group? I play a celtic harp - not all that good at it but do enjoy sitting and playing what little I can. There is something about the plucked string that speaks of the eternal. I hope your harp group finds the painting interesting. On looking at the harps in this painting I wonder if they would have much sound as there doesn't seem to be much of a soundbox to them.

Unknown said...

Hello to J.R.Howley, Regarding your comment about the harp soundbox, I would assume that the artist was painting from her imagination. For example, have you seen her painting, 'Faun Feeding a Squirrel'?, which I also love.

Unknown said...

Another thought just occurred to me, regarding J.R.Howley's post about the soundbox. I'm thinking that Heavenly Harps are probably very lightweight, as the ones in the painting seem to be.