Although Mary has traditionally been imaged as submissive, timid, and subdued, my experiences with the biblical record have left me with a very different impression. This work employs vibrant colors, a whimsical style, and a posture of unrestrained praise to portray Mary as intellectually discerning (“How can this be?”), courageous (“Let it be with me according to your word”), and exuberant (“My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”). Both Mary’s person and her song challenge us to emulate these God-favored qualities.

This work was improvisationally pieced using commercial cotton fabrics and embellished with synthetic tulle overlays, improvisational stitching, appliqué, couched cotton and metallic fibers, woven acrylic ravelings, embroidery, beads, and a found object (a plastic bangle bracelet).

This piece was juried into Celebration!, an exhibit at Convergence 2006 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was selected for inclusion in the 2008 edition of Salt of the Earth Christian seasons calendar.