St. Pio of Pietrelcina -Original Watercolor Painting
Padre Pio
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, 4.5x6 inches, pencil outline layered in high quality watercolor pigments on cold-pressed (textured) paper. Artist's signature clearly visible in fine-tipped brown art pen.
Watercolor paintings develop layer by layer until the portrait comes into focus — glowing and intricate. This particular palette is warm and bright, gently hued and almost luminescent. His Capuchin habit and white-grey hair leaves a vintage feeling, while the slight flush in his skin brings him back to life.
This piece depicts a slightly different side of the beloved Padre Pio, who is nearly always portrayed laughing or in prayer. Here, he is smiling, but there's a glint in his eyes, almost scolding. It's a look of love and concern for the observer, who he knows can be greater if we cling more totally to Our Lord.
Inspiration: You may know that St. Pio was given many supernatural gifts in his lifetime. He was able to see and interact with angels, especially his guardian angel, and he would sometimes hold the consecrated Host up for extended periods, marveling at the angels surounding Our Lord. He is confirmed to have bilocated, to have born the stigmata, and so so many more miracles are associated with him!
In particular, I reflected on his ability to read souls. He could see souls so clearly, he sometimes told people what they ought to be confessing while they were in confession with him.
I try to discover what each saint is "saying" on their feast day by discerning elements that strike me most particularly. To be honest, I was simply sketching and praying for most of this portrait. I intended to portray Pio with the joy that he is so known for...but he had other plans! As I was completing him, I could see, as you might, that he thinks I could be better, be greater. You can observe the loving look on his face, reading our souls, and urging us to rise to that call to sanctity and embrace suffering rather than seeking comfort.
Framing: I imagine this painting matted in a neutral white or cream color to best showcase the portrait. I'd set it in a frame that complements the color palette of your home’s aesthetic, perhaps in wood or a simple metalic.
More information on how to best preserve and frame your artwork will come with your painting shippment. Please feel free to email me at rosalie.ardentdraws@gmail.com with any other questions!
