About This Painting
As a little girl growing up immersed in Christian culture, I felt no special affinity for Mary Magdalene, no bloom of deep sympathy. Her story did not burst on me as a glowing example of Jesus' giant regard for the worth & abilities of women. Quite the opposite, in fact. Like most women in the Bible, Mary Magdalene was a source of some pain & existential discomfort to me when I was young. The stories of women in the Bible usually seemed to be mostly about sex. Rare exceptions seemed to be cautionary tales about the perils of female leadership. Both themes left me feeling hollow & on edge, nagged by the suspicion that being a full person was a little out of reach for women. And Mary Magdalene's story was just like all the rest. But in recent years, as I’ve begun to unpack the baggage her legacy has accumulated throughout centuries of retelling in a patriarchal world, I’ve begun to see this dearest friend of Jesus in a new way. This woman who was among the last at the cross & the first at the tomb on Easter morning, who recognized Jesus by his special way of saying her loved name—she’s an icon of liberation to me now. And I wanted to celebrate that in a painting: the radical friendship the two of them shared against prejudice and norms and cynicism and towards a New World.
About This Listing
This is an 8x10 acryla gouache painting completed on professional-grade watercolor paper mounted to a cradled wooden panel. The painting has been lovingly treated with a three-step varnishing process consisting of a workable spray varnish, an isolation coat, and two coats of UV-resistant gloss varnish. The birchwood panel has been sealed with buffed finishing wax to increase its longevity, and a signed label affixed to the back of the panel certifies its authenticity and specifications. The painting has already been framed by the artist in a hardwood floater frame and comes ready to hang! Including the frame, the full dimensions of this piece are 9x11x1.25 inches.
Colors
I do my very best to make sure my scans and photographs provide accurate representations of my artwork, but please do be aware that due to monitor differences the colors you see on your screen may vary slightly from the way the colors appear in person.
Shipping
This painting ships for free within the United States. To arrange international shipping, please reach out to me via the contact form with information about the piece you'd like to purchase and where you need it shipped to. (Please note that international shipping for framed original artwork can be quite pricey, and you will be responsible for any customs fee or import taxes that may arise.)
© 2022 Bryana Joy
The artist retains all copyrights.