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Thoughts On:

“Emerald Enchantment”

"Emerald Enchantment"

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(Find this print in my shop – click here!) 

“Emerald Enchantment” was the first artwork that I created for my first Graduate drawing class.  It’s where the first seeds for the “Enduring Roots” series were planted and began to grow.
St. Patrick's Rose

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As I began that drawing course, I knew I wanted to draw flowers and I knew I wanted to communicate a message of the love of Christ in some way, but I was struggling to come up with what to do in the background.

With the guidance of my drawing instructor, Amy Schmeirbach (Professor of Art at Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS), I began to think about patterns or designs that I liked.  Since my interest in Ireland and my Irish heritage had recently come to the surface again (and is now a bit of an obsession – haha), I began to think about what types of Celtic patterns I might be able to incorporate.  And, that’s where I stumbled across the idea of designing Celtic crosses to use in the background.

It seemed to me to be an especially good fit since the flower I chose for this drawing was a St. Patrick’s rose.

Since this theme or series was just beginning to grow, the symbolism in this drawing isn’t as deep as the drawings that come after.  For me, the symbolism starts simply with a flower being a small reminder of the love God has for us, and then the cross in the background referencing Christ.

From there, much of the symbolism references Ireland.  As I mentioned, the rose is a St. Patrick’s rose.  In the center of the crosses, I’ve included a Celtic-knot-styled shamrock and used many varieties of green.

Celtic-style Shamrock

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Trinity Knot Variation

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Dark Triquetra

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Large Trinity Knot

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Looking with the benefits of hindsight, I also see three variations of Trinity Knots or triquetras which symbolize the Holy Trinity.  (You can read more about that symbolism here.)
There are also some simple Celtic knots which can symbolize eternity and the interweaving of the physical and spiritual paths of our lives – the evidence of God’s hand at work in our lives.
Simple Celtic Knot

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Maze Pattern

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I’ve also included some maze patterns which can symbolize the twists and turns of life’s journey.
So, for me, this piece mostly references my deep love of Ireland and my Irish heritage, and the way God has woven that thread in and through my life since I was a child.  I am truly enchanted by the Emerald Isle. But it also touches on the heritage of Christian faith in my life and the love of flowers that’s been passed down through generations of my family.

Faith, flowers, and heritage – these are the “Enduring Roots” of my life, the “roots” from which I grow, the heirlooms of my ancestors, the legacy of my family.

One of the great things about art is that each piece “speaks” to people differently.  I’d love to hear your thoughts or feelings on this piece.  Just leave your thoughts in the comment box below or send me an email from the “Let’s Chat” page.

Thanks for spending part of your day with me!

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