DAWN WILLIAMS BOYD Three Marys series

DAWN WILLIAMS BOYD

SERIES: THREE MARYS

The idea for my Three Marys Series originated with a Call to Artists from Avisca Fine Art Gallery in September of 2011. They requested works of art depicting stories from the Bible. I have always been fascinated with the idea of the virgin births of gods, messengers and heroes that are found in the origin stories of most the major religions around the world. I had already done several paintings in cloth and acrylics on wood and cardboard featuring the Virgin Mary as my subject. One of the few times she appears in the Bible is at her son's torture and murder by the local religious community. The Bible refers to, and master artists from Christian and non - Christian cultures throughout history, have always depicted several women attending Christ's crucifixion. In the Gospel of John 19:25-27 Jesus speaks directly to his mother Mary. Mary Magdalene is specified by name as a witness to Jesus' crucifixion, his burial, and the discovery of his empty tomb. Mark 15:47 and Matthew 27:61 both name "the other Mary", who in Mark is "the mother of James" and is sometimes referred to as Mary Cleopas. That was enough information to begin Three Marys: Crucifixion. I had wanted to do a crucifixion piece for some time ,anyway,and this call gave me the impetus to begin.

However, once I had done the sketch I realized that the composition - three female figures kneeling over a prostrate male figure - was strong enough to tell several stories. Immediately several ideas came to me and voila - a series is born!

Please click on the smaller images to enlarge.

Three Marys: Crucifixion 53 x 85 inches

Cotton and polyester fabrics, cotton floss; bugle beads. Machine pieced and appliqued. Embroidered, embellished and quilted by hand.

This is a perfect example of why 'seeing' (in person) is so much better than 'viewing' (on line). This figure's hair is made of approximately 8 skeins (8.7 yards per skein) of black embroidery floss; and there are several shades of brown and blue in the crown of thorns that you cannot see here.

Three Marys: Freedom Riders 54 x 89 inches

Cotton and polyester fabrics, cotton floss;

Machine pieced and appliqued. Embroidered and quilted by hand.

Because these figures are only 7-8 inches high, I appliqued the clothing to the surface with a zigzag machine stitch, without turning the edges under. The faces, arms, feet, flag poles and the words on their signs are embroidered.

NOTE: These three pieces were photographed on a black background. In each case the bottom edge is cut away and follows the contour of the figures or foreground.

Three Marys: Vampire Brides 64 x 88 inches

Cotton and polyester fabrics and lace, cotton floss,; beads, sequins, button, polyester and silk ribbons.Appliqued by machine. Embroidered, embellished and quilted by hand.

Click on detail to enlarge.

Close up of embroidered silk ribbon flowers.

Three Marys: Crucifixion

Three Marys: Freedom Riders (detail)

Three Mary: Vampire Brides (detail)

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Three Marys: Crucifixion

Three Marys: Freedom Riders (detail)

Three Mary: Vampire Brides (detail)