Christmas in June

Christmas in June 1

I’ve been going through and cleaning out hundreds of photos from my recycle bin.  Today I came across some photos from our first church art exhibit last Christmas.  I had forgotten all about these photos! I had put them on my FB page during the holidays, deleted them after New Year’s, and you know the rest.  I restored them today and thought I’d post a little Christmas in June! This is a mixed-media piece made from a game box. The game was called “The Art Game” and I kept the cards, but really liked the size and built-in “frame” inside the box itself, so I decided to alter it for my exhibit project entitled “Nunc Dimittis”.

 I wanted to make a tribute to Simeon, the elderly prophet who uttered awe inspiring words to Jesus’ family at his presentation at the temple.  This event, briefly mentioned in scripture, is a special passage to me.  I can’t help but think how amazing it would’ve been for Simeon to hold the baby Savior after waiting to see Him for who knows how long?

Christmas in June 2

 Following is an explanation of the Latin title.

Nunc Dimittis is the prayer recited by Simeon at the presentation of Jesus at the temple. (Luke 2:29-31). This canticle has been used daily at Compline since the 4th century.
NUNC dimittis servum tuum, Domine * Secundum verbum tuum in pace: NOW dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, * in peace, according to Thy word:
Quia viderunt oculi mei * salutare tuum For mine own eyes hath seen * Thy salvation,
Quod parasti * ante faciem omnium populorum: Which Thou hast prepared * in the sight of all the peoples,
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, * Et gloriam plebis tuae Israel. A light to reveal Thee to the nations * and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Christmas in June 3

To assemble this piece I used a lot of gel medium mixed with acrylic paint.    The costume jewelry pieces were my mother’s, attached with E-6000.   I decoupaged some Bible pages on the cover and painted over them with several colored layers of glaze.  I also used a lot of golden glitter paint.  I love glitter.  

 For the text I printed out the words onto parchment colored caligraphy paper and then used Distressing Ink in Tea Stain to age it. The image for the inside was not the one I wanted to use, but it was one of the few that was not subject to copyright.

At the botton of the top panel is a “scroll” which is an actual Bible page from Luke 2– the account of Simeon’s encounter with Christ and his family rolled up and tied with old silk ribbon.

I don’t know if we will have another art exhibit at church this year, but I do know I will  enjoy displaying this piece at home. It is impossible to tell from these poor photos, but in the evening it really sparkles under soft light and has a medieval quality that I really like.     

Hope you don’t mind the Christmas post in June? I figured if Hobby Lobby can do it, so can I 🙂

Christmas in June 4

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