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FireFiriel β€” Madonna and Child over the Stream

Published: 2011-12-24 06:07:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 901; Favourites: 25; Downloads: 580
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Description Christmas picture number One for this year.

For my Christmas cards this year, this was initially inspired by the window in the apse of my church. It's the Nativity, and at the base of the stable is a piece of purple cloth that I always mistake for water. And I like how in Nativities the building always has to be small and cross-sectioned. Combined with inspiration from some Garth Williams illustrations of buildings, boats, and trains that are small but with such architectural elements, towers and chimneys... Small buildings are inspiring, the poetry of limits, a whole world contained within. And in this case, the Cause of the Universe all within...

What I'm proudest of is the strange symbolism of the bird feeder.

Merry Christmas!
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Comments: 36

TarmaHartley [2013-10-09 13:42:32 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful artwork and beautiful colour! Love it!

AWESOME WORK!

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FireFiriel In reply to TarmaHartley [2013-10-10 17:47:57 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!

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TarmaHartley In reply to FireFiriel [2013-10-10 18:51:54 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

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Neoconvoy [2012-03-05 00:31:06 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful!

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FireFiriel In reply to Neoconvoy [2012-03-23 03:50:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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anelphia [2012-01-08 21:53:52 +0000 UTC]

How beautiful!I love the symbolism. It reminds me of medieval German art

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FireFiriel In reply to anelphia [2012-01-09 00:04:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much! ^_^

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SuperheroGeek13 [2011-12-29 19:13:40 +0000 UTC]

This is just so sweet! Mary rocking baby Jesus to sleep is just adorable.
I like how there's so much blue in the background and then warmer colors inside. Makes it feel very cozy.

I must admit that I was a bit stumped by the bird feeder. But that is an excellent symbol of the blood of our Lord.

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FireFiriel In reply to SuperheroGeek13 [2012-01-02 03:50:23 +0000 UTC]

Thank you very much!
Heh, I do like blue. It turned out bluer than I first imagined, but I'm glad the warm spots have that effect.

Thank you very much! It is a bit cryptic, but that's part of the fun!

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SuperheroGeek13 In reply to FireFiriel [2012-01-04 19:42:38 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome.
I like blue as well. Its my favorite color!

Yes indeedy!

BTW, I got ya'll Christmas card a few days ago. Thanks so much! It really made my day.

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FireFiriel In reply to SuperheroGeek13 [2012-01-05 23:20:03 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad you liked it!

By the way... hehehe.... guess what?

....new Sherlock!!!! Yes!

If you need a link I can give ya!

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SuperheroGeek13 In reply to FireFiriel [2012-01-05 23:28:59 +0000 UTC]

NEW SHERLOCK????? Really??? Yes, yes, yes, please send me the link!

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FireFiriel In reply to SuperheroGeek13 [2012-01-06 01:29:25 +0000 UTC]

Ok!! [link] Click "continue as a free user"

But I must say, this episode is not for younger folks... just in case.

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SuperheroGeek13 In reply to FireFiriel [2012-01-06 01:43:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!
And understood. Will screen it before I let anyone else watch it.

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FireFiriel In reply to SuperheroGeek13 [2012-01-06 05:33:21 +0000 UTC]

Welcome!
Okay! Despite that, it's very good. Enjoy!

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Theophilia [2011-12-24 20:48:00 +0000 UTC]

I really like the idea! It reminds me a bit of Collier's "Annunciation" ([link] ) And I like her Our-Lady-of-Walsingham-style rocking chair. And yes, heheh, the bird feeder-tabernacle lamp. "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Mat 10:29-31)

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FireFiriel In reply to Theophilia [2011-12-27 03:14:38 +0000 UTC]

Oh! Out of curiosity, how did it remind you of it? Ah good for your for recognizing the chair!
Uh huh, and there is one more aspect to it... sort of achieved simply by the putting-together, but also look on the snow.

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Theophilia In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-28 00:19:12 +0000 UTC]

Ah, the drip of red wax, very nice touch.

I suppose it reminded me of it just because it's a modern-day setting, so its a little like a symbolic representation of the Madonna and Child for a particular kind of effect.

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FireFiriel In reply to Theophilia [2011-12-28 01:51:45 +0000 UTC]

Ah, but that's not how wax looks when it falls on something cold; wax would solidify into a much lighter color. No, something else looks like that.

I see... the clothes aren't modernized but the stove is, so yeah, I see. Neat!

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Theophilia In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-28 19:05:02 +0000 UTC]

Hahaha, yeah, I got that, and that it comes from the Tabernacle lamp is oh so much more appropriate.

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FireFiriel In reply to Theophilia [2011-12-28 21:28:06 +0000 UTC]

Exactly.

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Mahira-MCAquila [2011-12-24 15:24:38 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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FireFiriel In reply to Mahira-MCAquila [2011-12-27 03:12:44 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. It's overly cold, but a bit of warm colors in the focal points.
Yep, but not only that! But in a connected way.

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Mahira-MCAquila In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-27 03:20:38 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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FireFiriel In reply to Mahira-MCAquila [2011-12-28 05:19:02 +0000 UTC]

If you do a bit more "cheating," you'll see.

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Mahira-MCAquila In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-28 19:00:56 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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FireFiriel In reply to Mahira-MCAquila [2011-12-28 21:33:05 +0000 UTC]

I meant I explain to some other folks on their comments. But I'll explain here. It's a tabernacle candle and birds are feeding from it. The drip from it looks not like wax but like Blood.

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Mahira-MCAquila In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-28 21:56:48 +0000 UTC]

Hidden by Owner

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FireFiriel In reply to Mahira-MCAquila [2011-12-29 04:46:27 +0000 UTC]

thank you.

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Mahira-MCAquila In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-29 15:02:08 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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artelizdesouza [2011-12-24 11:08:57 +0000 UTC]

Loved it!!! Sweet, sweet!

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FireFiriel In reply to artelizdesouza [2011-12-27 03:11:37 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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PocketGargoyle [2011-12-24 06:15:19 +0000 UTC]

The bird feeder caught my attention. I thought it may be some strange, Northern way to birds warm in winter and -hey! it looks like a tabernacle candle!
Very sweet picture.

But, does this mean that piece of the window *isn't* meant to be a stream?!

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FireFiriel In reply to PocketGargoyle [2011-12-27 03:11:30 +0000 UTC]

Yes indeed! And the fallen drips don't look like wax.
Thank you!

I don't think so...

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PocketGargoyle In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-27 05:03:45 +0000 UTC]

I had not even noticed the fallen drips yet! Blood?

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FireFiriel In reply to PocketGargoyle [2011-12-28 05:18:01 +0000 UTC]

Indeed. A natural symbolic result of the combination of a red Eucharist-related candle and it feeding creatures.

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PocketGargoyle In reply to FireFiriel [2011-12-28 07:14:51 +0000 UTC]

THIS is why I love your art. Technical talent and style aside (also very appealing), the Visual Theology in your works in why I love it all.

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FireFiriel In reply to PocketGargoyle [2011-12-29 04:46:51 +0000 UTC]

Goodness, gee, thank you.

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ZerachielAmora [2011-12-24 06:15:01 +0000 UTC]

I like the stylized feel this has. Very nicely done!

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FireFiriel In reply to ZerachielAmora [2011-12-27 03:09:18 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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