Name: Mary Anne Cary
Location: USA
Title: “A CHERISHED LIFE”
Price Original: Contact the Artist at the link below
Size: 12″ x 12″
Medium: Oil on Masonite
Artist web site: http://maryannecary.blogspot.com
From Mary Anne:
Naming this painting was difficult for me. My model was a statue from a historic cemetery I just toured in Portland. I had not been there before, and seeing it near neighboring haunts, I was astonished by its beauty. I can’t wait to revisit and hopefully do a guided walking tour during warmer weather.
I really don’t have a lot of information on the cemetery other than it’s on the National Historic Registry. The location is filled with beautiful statues and sculptures from the Victorian Era. Apparently families of that century commissioned European and American sculptors to render the statues as a tribute to their beloved‘s eternal rest.
The cemetery also has a walking trail and wetlands. It’s a wildlife habitat and is used by the Audubon Society for bird migratory studies.
The day I visited there was snow cover and much was hidden. Unfortunately I couldn’t find names or history on the statues, – but after painting this sweet angelic figure, I would love to find out more! As with all historic art, I felt there must be a story. Now- I need to know!
Interesting note: I enlarged the photo of the statue on my computer and noticed her eyes are blue and lips are red. What a big surprise. ( Her eyes matched the color of the sky.)
I found the sculpture a captivating portrait of this beautiful young woman!
7 responses so far ↓
1 Sonya Meglaurel // May 22, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Am still in awe. will take me long while to sit with this one Mary Anne. It embodies its surroundings and eases any heavy heart.
2 Vikki // May 22, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Hi Mary !
That must have been great fun to visit this cemetery and see all it’s treasure. I loved reading your description.
How amazing and what a beautiful tribute this statue is to that time. Really nice work, Mary, and beautiful selection for the portrait.
3 fanny christian // May 23, 2010 at 2:50 am
Gorgeous!
4 Mary Anne Cary // May 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Thank you all, and thank you for your great editing, Vickie. You are a great talent!!
5 Rusty // May 24, 2010 at 7:11 am
I was struck by the color you artisically added to her, then I read the narrative. You got her. I would never have guessed this was from a walk in the cemetery from her lightness. You painted the stone very well.
6 Mary Anne Cary // May 24, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Thanks Rusty!
7 Gail // May 26, 2010 at 9:56 am
Very nice portrait, it comes across immediately as stone but has a distinct softness to it.
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