More on St. Emma's

My husband and I just spent a much needed, wonderful weekend at St. Emma's Retreat House in Greensburg. All the beautiful sisters that run the place went online to view the painting Ora et Labora. I got all positive reactions and they are anxious to know if it wins any awards in the South Hills Annual Exhibit coming up September 20.

At the retreat, we had the privilege of listening to a young Benedictine priest from St. Vincent's College. There is so much to say about this holy, pious, gentle, brilliant man that I find myself at a loss for words. If you ever have an opportunity to attend a talk or retreat with Fr. Boniface Hicks, jump on it! Don't miss it. He is also a very interesting subject to paint... keep your eyes open for a companion painting to Ora et Labora. It will be titled: Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio. This is a method of prayer used by the Benedictines. It means "Read, Meditate, Pray". Worth looking into if your prayer life needs a little "revival".

St. Emma's continues

I've re-evaluated the composition on this and came up with some good changes: I took out one of the nuns, furthest back in the picture plane; I changed the lay of the land just a little; and added just the veil of an additional nun off to the right. There was too much space on the right that was unused.

Yesterday I painted the face of nun#1, on the right. Today, #2. Sorry I don't have an image to show, but I will tomorrow.