Saint Teresa of Calcutta -Original Watercolor Painting
Mother Teresa
A Year of Saints: Created as part of the A Year of Saints Collection. Learn more about this collection and the outlook that shaped my process HERE.
Details: An original painting, unframed, 8x10 inches, pencil outline layered in high quality watercolor pigments on cold-pressed (textured) paper. Artist's signature clearly visible in fine brown art-pen.
Watercolor paintings develop layer by layer until the portrait comes into focus — radiant and intricate. This particular palette is bright and warm, reflecting the subject's loving personality, and undertones of pink and gold further give her a heavenly glow.
This piece brings St. Teresa to life, and her smile is just as contagious! I tried to layer the watercolor more intentionally with this piece, and the result was very rewarding! Delicate layers and strokes come together to form a simple, artistic rendering of this incredible woman.
Inspiration: St. Teresa of Calcutta is one of the most inspirational figures of our times. Christians and non-Christians alike admire her, and her message of love is as universal as the Church.
As always, I researched tirelessly to honor her ethnicity and religious habit.
Through prayer, I try to discover what each saint is "saying" by discerning elements that strike me most particularly...
Although she experienced great sorrow and distance from Our Lord, St. Teresa was always full of joy. When looking at videos and images of her, I can't help but notice that even her most serious photos are laced with sincere love and joy in her eyes. In this portrait, she's teaching us to grin, because there is no reason in this life to despair, or to fail to love. May this loving grin be on our faces and in our hearts during every trial, because God loves us and is victorious over all things!
Framing: I imagine this painting matted or floating over a mat in a neutral white or cream color to complement the summery palette and best showcase the portrait. I'd set it in a frame that complements your home’s aesthetic, especially in a light-colored wood or simple, thin metalic.
More information on how to best preserve and frame your artwork will be included in your shippment. Please feel free to email me at rosalie.ardentdraws@gmail.com with any other questions!
