Grace to Paint

 

Weekly Oil Paintings by Sister Maresa Lilley, SND

G

race to Paint

Weekly Oil Paintings
by Sister Maresa Lilley, SND

Bookworm?

8×8″ oil on gessoed artist panel; click on painting for purchase information.

A friend had a pair of enticing resin birds on her kitchen table that were begging to be featured in a painting or two; you will no doubt see them starring in future roles. In this simple scene, I placed one atop a miniature book which happened to be about flower paintings. One can imagine her listening for a wiggly painted worm.

Tulle Tapestry

18×24″ oil on stretched canvas; click on painting for purchase information.

Happy Thanksgiving! For all that is, we give our thanks. I took a break from reality with this painting of abstract and colorful flowers. It is a large piece, and would add much color to a room. The red lines scattered throughout add spark and unity.

Sand Sifters (Final Stage)

9×12″ oil on canvas panel; click on painting for purchase information.

The scene is the beach on the west coast of Bataan in the Philippines. You can tell the time of day is about noon from the shadows and the highlights. The contrasts are purposely strong, and the white hats are the show stealers. This painting is more about the design elements than actually capturing a moment in time, so the figures are more symbolic than spelled out. But any time near the sea is memorable ,and this day was no exception. Sun, surf, and sand….perfect!

Sand Sifters (First Stage)

9×12″ oil on canvas panel; click on painting for purchase information.

This painting is about the bold color contrasts in the hot sun. In this first stage of the painting, I have blocked in the underlayers of darker tones and planned for the accents of lit up whites in the bright sun. The figures are roughly stroked in to test overall design of lights and darks. Any beach lover could relate, I think, to the activity of combing for shell, glass, or creature treasures at the water’s edge.

Song of Songs Bride

8×8″ oil on artist’s gessoed panel; available through the artist.

King Solomon’s Song of Songs includes a poetic dialogue between lovers, providing only a hint of the passion of God for the people he pursues. The groom goes to great lengths to find the bride, and the bride, so lovely in her longing and preparation, awaits the embrace. She is called the Bride of Shulam, dark and beautiful. She symbolizes all imperfect human life before God, dark, beautiful and passionately loved.

Meet Sr.Maresa

I am Sister Maresa Lilley, a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame, located in Chardon, Ohio, USA. For many years, I have enjoyed a passion that permits me to reflect upon simple reality with a brush in hand. To capture a simple essence on canvas and to discover inherent beauty is a daily immersion.

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