The fifth work in my Faith Series began inside St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rowena, Texas, one of the celebrated Painted Churches of Texas. Built in the early twentieth century, the church is filled with hand-painted ornamentation that transforms its walls and ceiling into a place of quiet reverence. I found myself drawn not only to the beauty of the paintings but also to the graceful curves of the sanctuary. They reminded me of a mother's womb-a place of shelter, hope, and new beginnings.
Painted above the sanctuary are the words, "My House is a House of Prayer." Beneath them, generations of parishioners have gathered to celebrate joy, mourn loss, and seek comfort. The architecture became a reminder that faith is rarely lived alone. Whether connected by blood, friendship, or shared belief, we all long to belong to a family that nurtures and strengthens us.
The Marian image was discovered in a n antique store, hidden beneath dusty glass inside a weathered frame. Research revealed it to be an antiquated print of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help, a beloved icon originally painted in Rome. Time had softened its colors and worn its surface, but its message endured. By blending the icon with the sanctuary of St. Joseph's, Mary becomes both witness and protector, gazing with tenderness toward the Christ Child while symbolically embracing the worshipers gathered below.
This work reflects my belief that sacred spaces and sacred images are more than historical artifacts- they are visual reminders that faith is inherited, restored, and continually. renewed through community. Like the architecture that has sheltered countless generations, we are all searching for a place where we are known. loved, and welcomed home.
