Donna,

I love the dept of your thought process throughout the scripture and resulting in the painting. How wonderful to think that Jesus and His mother had s special relationship. This is a very special painting. Cindy

12-6-09 Dear Donna,

Your FIRST FIG is a delight! How delightful are ALL of our holy relationships! But this painting is really special because it shows the beauty, awe, wonder and irrepressible joy that flows so beautifully back and forth inside the whole and complete relationship THAT IS "MOTHER/CHILD". And this, being between the two most holy persons who have ever lived, is sacred as well. You have captured perfectly that sparkle of love in Mary's eyes as she relates to her son. The auras around each emphasize their holy connection.

However, I must tell you, that I had an immediate "deja vu" when first viewing this work. The "painting behind the painting" comes right through as I see the surreal image of Eve offering her Adam the apple all over again. And, your "figs" are quite red, like an apple. However, all the reds in the painting also bring the presence of the Holy Spirit to mind, as well. It has been said and written, many times, that Jesus and Mary are the "new" Adam and Eve. And so, it is actually appropriate to see them in this way. Will Jesus accept the fruit offered by "the woman" (again). Yes, of course He will, and by doing so, the "old" Adam is "eaten up", meaning, done away with, and the "new Adam", has indeed arrived. Emmanuel!! God with us!! Jesus hiding his eyes gives us the necessary pause to recognize the symbology of the fruit being offered. And the fruit, as we all know, contains that paradoxical double-edged sword that will come back to pierce both their hearts. Who could blame Him for hesitating to partake? But, aye, through the prism of time, we know the value of His acceptance of that Gift so long ago and what it has meant to the multitudes as it has made its way down to us through the centuries. The bright red budding fruit, crowding in from all sides at Jesus, beholds the promise and meaning of His action.

The intricate roots, with their beautimous green background, if we could somehow reach into the painting and trace them, would no doubt lead us direcly back to the Garden of Paradise, where it all began. It is entirely appropriate to have them there, leading us up to this pivotal moment.

In the Old Testament, the Fig Tree was a blessed place of leisure and contentment for a man to rest and restore himself safely away from his enemies. Interestingly, in the New Testament, when Jesus finds an out-of-season (but full of promising leaves) Fig Tree with no edible fruit on it, he condemns it to wither away and never again have the possiblity of bearing fruit. Of all of His "miracles", this is the only one that involves a judgement with condemnation. Is this because He remembered back to the moment when He accepted the First Fig from His mother (read Adam accepting the apple from Eve)? Was He condemning that moment in His own life when the full knowledge of his mission came upon Him and, as Donna intones, when "innocence was lost (and found)for all Mankind"? It could very well be. Many people believe the Fig Tree represented Israel and her eventual rejection of Christ as the Messiah, and thus, in return for her rejection and refusal to "bear fruit", she then was condemned to wither away. It does make you think!

Another fine job, Donna, interweaving the symbology of important biblical elements with the human sides of Mary and Jesus that we can all relate to.

I feel priviledged and proud to be associated with you as you proceed with your Holy Work.

Your Sister In Christ, Elizabeth Cook