DETAIL IMAGES FROM “ESTHER (2)”:

“ESTHER (2)”- (40” x 28”):

Description:

As I was working on my first collage based on the book of Esther, I really wanted to paint her bigger so I created this piece.

I hit a point while working on both collages on Esther when I got really stuck (*In both collages, I repainted her face over ten times.) There is a part in Esther’s story where she fasts for three days and nights. In some respects, I did what I could to get as close to her story as possible. I bought myrrh oil. I went to museums and photographed jewelry close to the era. Then, I decided to fast - not from food, but I felt like I needed to fast from sound.

I powered off my phone; I didn’t listen to any music; I turned off my car’s radio; I took days off from work; I didn’t leave the house much except to go to my studio for three days and three nights. It was unnerving at first and I found painting without music on hard, but eventually, it became a refuge and I finally was able to finish Esther’s face.

*If you are interested, I have written more narrative on these collages on my Instagram account.

process:

Like ‘Mary,’ I used an older drawing/painting that I had made on heavy watercolor paper years ago. I handstitched this to a canvas and collaged/painted on top of it.