We saw The Monuments Men movie the other night and loved it, especially the story about the safe return of the stolen Bruges Madonna to the Church of Our Lady in Bruges, Belgium at the end of World War II. What a story! What an influence that Madonna had on me. (And I do recommend the movie!)
“THE TRANSFORMATION OF MARY”
Years before, I found myself very drawn to this Madonna, especially the very different portrayal of the Christ child. So enamored with it, I used this strong, standing bambino child in a mandala I painted of Mary and son in 2006. Mine is a serene, quiet Mary, holding her heart as she is being transformed by this extraordinary being. See him standing at her knee? Orchids flow from Mary’s silver moon-like halo, down her body to the child, changing color from orchid-magenta to white. I painted this mandala, The Transformation of Mary, before we visited Bruges and the Madonna, which we did in 2010.
BRUGES BELGIUM
Looking for the Bruges Madonna, in Bruges, Belgium, she seemed rather hidden away on a cobblestone back street (no cars are allowed on these streets!) in an old cathedral worn and beautiful with age. The church was magnificent and peaceful, and she took our breath away, as did the whole town! Everything was magic, including the marble floor of the church which my husband really liked because of the designs the cracks made in each square. They seemed like abstract paintings and you could feel they held much history.
Until I read The Monuments Men, a very good read and highly recommended by the way, I did not know the rich history of this Madonna, which was coveted by Hitler and stolen by the Nazis in WWII. I did know that it is the only work of Michelangelo’s outside of Italy and very revered by the Belgians.
HOW DID I COME TO CREATE MY MADONNA?
A few years ago my neighbor told me she had seen an image of Mary on a tree trunk on the ocean bluff where we both regularly walk. I was very moved by this and thought, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone were able to have their own vision or apparition of Mary?” I created an art piece/spirit drawing/energy symbol with the intention of having it help those who wanted to have a vision of Mary. This is the piece I created, with Prisma colored pencils, and invited anyone who wished, to participate in this interactive art piece. I asked to have those who used the symbol to let me know what transpired. Many powerful experiences, including inner visions, dreams, sensing Mary near and Mary bringing healing, were reported. My husband, who I did not know was participating, saw a profile of Mary on a tree in our backyard.
MY VISION
This mandala, The Transformation of Mary, is the vision of Mary I received when I used the symbol. I believe it’s about the transformation I have experienced by Mary in my life.
Bruges, Belgium
