Panagia Print

She is PANAGIA ~ the all holy ~ a term traditionally used for Orthodox depictions of the Mother of God, but also the holy bread and sacred womb. In my painting, which began as a drawing in damson coloured ink and progressed to oil paints, this holy mother just seemed to make herself present and necessary on the paper. She is the ultimate life-giver, sustainer and holder, powerful and grieving, blood cells and stars, ancient and immanent, seed and darkness, weaver and land, in us and of us and under us and over us and around us always.

Our Earth, our Life, our Mother, the very milk-giver, vineyard, holder of everything, whom humans tread upon with disrespect daily and forget to honour in the holy moments unfolding before them. The beauty and ancient wisdom in two particular songs have fed this painting, as have my pain and overwhelm and deep and unfathomable love for my children and grief for these strange, strange times we are walking through.