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Beauty is Medicine for the Soul Saint and Angels Sing Icons inspired by the Odes of Solomon The Odes of Solomon are among the earliest Christian Hymns used in a temple 70 miles south of Jerusalem, by Christians fleeing political persecution. I find them particularly interesting because they confirm a feminine presence in early Christian Worship. These poems celebrate the tree of life and give new insight into the ancient Christian Imagery of Angels, Halos, and Crowns,  the same symbols Moses once called the "Ornaments" or Eden.  I hope you will love the imagery and poetry as much as I do. Here is just a taste: Ode 1 The Lord is on my head like a crown, and I shall never be without Him.   Plaited for me is the crown of truth, and it caused Your branches to blossom in me.   For it is not like a parched crown that blossoms not;   For You live upon my head, and have blossomed upon me. Dear Mary, You're invited to the second annual   Christmas Open house  and Art Show    "It's All Art" With a special Concert in memory of Terry Summerhays, Featuring members of Intimate Opera, as well as a Hot Chocolate Bar.  The open house will run from  3 until 10pm, with concert and refreshments from 7:30-10 pm. Please join us in Salt Lake, at 1262 East 600 South  at the Summerhays residence. Mary Glad Mary Summerhays Glad has been crafting these exquisite handmade beads since childhood,  but her years living and working as a diplomat in Morocco gave her a close up into the artistry and craft behind this unique and rare form of Jewelry making. Each bead is built of  tiny strands of paper wrapped as spools of paper, which she couples with other semi precious stones to make necklaces of exquisite and colorful patterns, creating a truely unique gift. Ben Behunin Ben Behunin's whimsical and humorous pottery is nationally renowned. His latest book, "With a Chery on Top"  is dedicated to Terry Summerhays and celebrates the idea that a life well lived inspires us all and proves "It's All Art." Mary Summerhays Icons inspired by the Odes of Solomon  Oil on Canvas Pannel (Sold) I will be showing a series of "Saints" and Angels inspired by early Christian hymns, and iconography, as well as sharing the full text of this ancient poetry. My art focuses on the universal need for relationships and the  transformative power of those interactions in both ancient and modern belief. Each painting incorporates symbols and metaphors from ancient cultures and their belief that art (and icons especially) had power to reach beyond our immediate circumstances. May the message of the season resonate in our hearts,  and as always- Beauty is Medicine for the Soul Be Well, Mary Summerhays (801-787-2697) queenmary.summerhays@gmail.com More info at SummerhaysStudios.blogspot.com  Angel with Lute Oil, Acrylic and Gold Leaf $380 Ave Maria Mixed Media on panel $250

I'm so excited to finally announce my next show! 

"In Great Glory"

I'll be doing a group show with  Lee Udall Bennion and Sallie Poet

 at the Harris Fine Arts Center during Women's Conference. 

Thursday May 2 to Tuesday May 14th

The show will focus on the role of women in the gospel. 

My pieces focus on the coronation and anointing symbols of the mortal journey as they appear in the pattern of the "Mother of all Living" and particularly "Our Glorious Mother Eve."

They are, frankly, seriously cool, and I can't wait to show them. Just in time for Mothers' day.

I wanted to give you a sneak peak at my Spring show-

"Paradise"

 A place synonymous with Eden;

 The core of our Temple worship;

 The place where God  walked with his son in the "cool of the day;"

  It is the place where we discover our Relationship to God;

 The place we Embrace those we Love. 

Each of my garden paintings is Reminiscent of this idyllic place,  where our relationships are created, solemnized,  and celebrated. 

 

 They are Symbolic of the Many Paradises in our lives -

 be it  Home or Temple,

the Embrace of a loved one,

 or the ultimate promise of eternal Union.

 Each is a garden flourishing

beneath the boughs of the Tree of Life.  

Join me Valentines Day, 1-3pm

 at the University Village Deseret Book 

as we celebrate the place where Love began. 

I'll be doing a demo, giving free gifts, and much more.

Now that the show is over most of these pieces should be available on my Etsy shop.

Origin of the Valentines Bouquette? Anyone Know?

Origin of the Valentines Bouquette.

Anyone know? 

And what does it have to do with death and resurection?

Hugh Nibly said it would be there,
 but I thoroughly gasped when I saw it!!  

This is  Sety I offering two flower bouquets in a base releif from Karnak, setting the tone for your next date ;)

Why would this death obsessed culture be carving bouquettes into the pillars of Karnak?

 Here is Nibley's commentary: " Often on the walls of the temple of Ramses II at Karnak, the king offers flowers or fruits ( both symbols of the tree of  life) to a goddess... who is both mother and wife; in plate 46 she is his real wife, and sometimes she appears with her husband:  While "Amun and Mut appear in their capacity as the king's parents" ... who write [their names] on the ished tree.'

  (My note- IOW They are solemnizing the contract of marriage by writing their names on the leaves of tree of life. Epicly cool.)

 Nibley continues- 'In return for his love gifts*, Mut (the mother of all living) promises the king: "I give thee the life span of Re, the Years of Atum, peaceful dominion of all the earth (lands),... the perfect health and joy of Re" '


*The flowers, fruit, or branch all symbolized the tree of eternal  life, and the garden of paradise.  To give such a "love gift" as Nibley calls it,  was symbolic of the proposal to leave the garden created by their parents and build their own paradise complete with their own tree of life to protects their own oasis. 


It is apparently the season to celebrate trees, flowers, leaves, twigs, shrubs...

Mystery artist

I am searching for this mystery artist.  From what I remember James Christiansen said he was one of his favorites.  But I don't know his name.

Image for O Morning Star

symbolist pieces