Blessed Virgin Mary/Mother Mary Swap DUE Nov 5, 2009

[katilady]

Swap Due Date: nov. 5
Sign up by date: oct. 24
Withdraw by date: oct. 24
Number of Items: 3:3 OR 6:6 (if there are 10+ participants)
Number of participants: 30


Mother Mary/Blessed Virgin Mary

This swap is to be depictions of Mary either as a mother or as the Blessed Virgin. I grew up Catholic and have fond associations of her image. She always looks peaceful and serene and these are qualities I treasure about her. I am no longer Catholic but I am still drawn to her image and wish to honor her with this swap. This swap is also perfect for those who love iconic imagery.

The nitty gritty's:
Whatever your religious affiliation (or not), be respectful of others. This is NOT a thread for preaching to or condemning others for their beliefs.

Cards are hand drawn or mixed media--whichever side you belong to.

In the US? Please send your cards with a self-addressed stamped envelope with $.44, if you send bulky cards add LOOSE extra postage for EACH card. Make certain you have enough postage as I cannot cover you. International: A self addressed large sticky label or envie would be lovely--postage is on me, including Canadians.

Cards are DUE IN MY HANDS on NOVEMBER 5! Please have an extremely clever and creative excuse if you send your cards late or I will send you my extremely hairy and loud kitty. If they are more than I week late you risk me sending your cards back at your expense.

Just an FYI: I swap quality for quality with a bit of randomness thrown in. Meaning you will get approx. 2 cards at your skill level and the 3rd card will be more random. I also adhere to the quality guidelines in the FAQ. I doubt this will be a problem on this site. :)

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/704/large/1_MaryMom.jpg image by dotsdots

http://www.atcsforall.com/forum/gallery/images/237/large/1_Mary.jpgimage by amyfaerie

0. katilady
1. dotsdots
2. jklee
3. thorn
4. eraserqueen
5. morning star
6. edensrainbow
7. artree
8. grrrdjules
9. langelbleu
10. heavenphoenix
11. hogret
12. petisa
13. janet
14. nicci

[jklee]

Thanks for adding me already ;) I'm so loving you for making this due in October!

[Thorn]

Thanks for the PM, I'm in!

[katilady]

welcome both of you!

and jklee it's actually due the beginning of nov, hope that works out even better. :D

[EraserQueen]

Me me me!!!

[jklee]

Yep...just goes to prove I don't read the bold lettering that well...I just went straight to the second line :twitcy:

[katilady]

hahaha jklee!

welcome annie!

[morning star]

Hail Mary! I love images of Mary. I want in!

[katilady]

then you are in! welcome!

[EdensRainbow]

I so enjoyed the last one. I'd love to play again. Sign me up, por favor!

[katilady]

yay! welcome laurie!

[ambermarie]

This is an interesting idea. I'll have to think a bit on it.

[katilady]

i hope you decide to join us, i love your work!

[HeavenPhoenix]

I'd love to join this swap, I only need to see if I can actually make the cards before I commit.

[katilady]

oh i hope you can heavenphoenix!

[artree]

I'm in. I love Madonna and child paintings.

[katilady]

yay, i am so glad!

[grrrdjules]

hey girl - can I play?

[katilady]

jules! of course! yay!

[grrrdjules]

I haven't been here in ages, not at all really, this is my first swap here actually. So it only makes sense that I join a virgin swap, n'es pa?

I'll give my left earlobe to whoever can tell me where to add "MMA member" to my info beside my avatar!

[katilady]

oh, all you have do is tell amerasu you want to apply and she will give you the details! earlobe please!

[langelbleu]

Sign me up! I loves me my blessed mother!

[katilady]

awesome! welcome!

[morning star]

I'm ready to send mine.
Address please?
Sorry, I know I should hang onto them but....well, what can I say?

[katilady]

will pm you now!

[langelbleu]

I did a little rough draft today to get my feet wet.
I'm leaning towards both the classic holy card Mary & the Orthodox Icon ones
5897

[katilady]

she's lovely and combines pink and orange which is one of my fave color combo's!

[jklee]

How beautiful!

[langelbleu]

why thank you jklee & katilady I had fun creating her. Even though she is very simple I think she captures the serenity and spirit of Mary.

[katilady]

absolutely beautiful cards in from morning*!

[HeavenPhoenix]

Oh and I think you can sign me in... already made a card.

[katilady]

yay! welcome heavenphoenix!

[hogret]

I would totally love to be in on this!

[katilady]

welcome hogret, happy to have you!

[langelbleu]

I am just getting back from a few days in Manhattan with my husband and needless to say much art was consumed by my eyes and soul. I was especially excited to see some lovely blessed virgins as well as some buddha images that brought me to tears.
http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/701/large/1_blessedmother002.jpg (http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/index.php?n=15162)
This card is based on a photo I took of Our Lady of 5th Avenue at the Episcopal Church on 5th Ave in Manhattan last Tuesday.
She is drawn with sepia & sanguine brush pens, opaque markers, pens & metallic pens on mulberry paper mounted on 140lb coldpressed watercolor paper.

[katilady]

that's gorgeous! :notworthy:

[langelbleu]

that's gorgeous! :notworthy:
Thanks Kati!
Here is a pic of her prayer and of the actual statue.
5990•5991

[katilady]

oh that's amazing! you make me wish i could draw, lol!

[langelbleu]

oh that's amazing! you make me wish i could draw, lol!
It is never too late to start ;)
it begins with a stick figure, moves to doodles and next thing you know you're drawing all the time!

[langelbleu]

I did my 3rd one, each card is coming out with a different kind of virgin. I am still feeling called to a Iconic one as well as a folkloric one.
http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/701/large/1_blessedmother003.jpg

[katilady]

sigh. it's lovely!

[jklee]

They are both just extraordinary, I love the paint strokes in them.

[langelbleu]

Kati, since we've got 11 members, would it be okay to do 6?

[katilady]

Kati, since we've got 11 members, would it be okay to do 6?

yeppers. :) if someone drops i may have to send cards back, fyi.

[langelbleu]

yeppers. :) if someone drops i may have to send cards back, fyi.
I thought again and decided to stick with 3.
Which means there'll be some in my gallery for swaps if anyone is interested

[katilady]

sounds good to me!

[EdensRainbow]

Oh, langel, those are just lovely!

[grrrdjules]

I'm finished! The metallics don't scan too well.

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/132/1_ContraryMary.jpg
http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/132/1_V.M.1.jpg
http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/132/1_SleepDeprived.jpg
http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/132/1_Number1mom.jpg

[katilady]

those are awesome jules!

[EdensRainbow]

They really are! I love how much visual interest is always in your work. And you've got an amazing sense of light and shadow. I love your art!

[katilady]

divinely beautiful mary's have arrived from langelbleu!

[petisa]

I want to join! :)

[katilady]

yay! welcome petisa!

[morning star]

Jules, those are great! It is fun to check in again. I haven't been here in a while.
I'm seeing names I haven't seen before either. How exciting. petisa I love your icon work.
Katilady what sort of bribes work on/for you? whining?, begging?, crying?, prayers? ear lobes?

[Janet]

My I join please? I've done my cards first. Just uploading them to my gallery :)

[katilady]

welcome janet!

morning* all bribes can work on me, if done well!

[morning star]

Janet yours are fantastic too. I love the one you did in the earthy colors.
I can't wait to see what the returns are like
November 5th is soooo very far away. (Whine)

[EdensRainbow]

Which is good for me, as I haven't gotten started yet. ;) I have ideas though! Ideas and plans...

[morning star]

I just looked at your gllery EdensRainbow. Cool stuff. Can't wait to see how you depict Mary! The tension is mounting.......what will I get?

[katilady]

oh laurie, always scheming!

i can guarantee that you'll get good stuff morning *!

[EdensRainbow]

Thanks morningstar! I'm going to try to change things up a little from my normal style for this one. Well, on one of the cards anyway.

And kati, you had me looking all over your post for a subscript with that asterisk. I may be a schemer but you're a trickster! ;)

[katilady]

hahahaha!!!

[hogret]

more Marys in my gallery today ... this is such a great them.

[hogret]

THEME, of course. I can, too, spell! Too much coffee leading to finger slippage.

[morning star]

Wow, hogret, another person's work and name I haven't seen before,
Great "stuff"!

[EdensRainbow]

My first Mary is up in my gallery. :)

[morning star]

That is great Eden's Rainbow. I have to admit I was hoping for a comic Mary but a cosmic Mary is working too.

[EdensRainbow]

Oh, don't worry. Comic style Mary will be coming. After all, this is me we're talking about. I practically live and breathe comic style. :D

[katilady]

wonderful stuff hogret and laurie! this swap is fab!

[katilady]

wonderful cards in from hogret today! thanks so much for the gift!

[katilady]

hogret your 2nd set of cards arrived today, thanks so much for the extra!

[katilady]

exactly 1 month to the due date--how's everyone doing?

[EdensRainbow]

I've got the one done, and know exactly what I'm doing for the second, just gotta sit down with it. The third one has yet to speak to me. But I have faith! :)

[Thorn]

Here's my first.

Or the best approximation I can get you with my scanner these days, anyway. *heavy sigh* It's been making the colors look really dull lately. They're far more harmonious in real life. It didn't used to do that. I really need to get the thing fixed or at least load Photoshop so I can correct it's issues.

I'm pretty much in the same spot as Edensrainbow with the rest. One I've got a firm idea for, I just need to sit down and do it. The rest - I'm relying on Divine Inspiration kicking in in the nick of time. ;)

[EdensRainbow]

Just beautiful Thorn!

[katilady]

thorn your card is fantastic! and here's to divine inspiration!

[Janet]

my cards were posted today!

[katilady]

yippee! can't wait to see them!

[nicci]

i'm lurking. i'm not catholic but i adore mary as a facet of the goddess. =D
if i can get the lead out on some other projects, i'll be back.

[katilady]

that would be awesome nicci. that's how i see her too. :)

heavenphoenix's wonderful cards arrived! thanks so much for the extra!

[Thorn]

Here's my second one. I was playing with the idea of using more modern women as models, so this is an "Aquarian Mary." I really like it, but I can't decide if it's sufficiently, erm, "Madonna-y" and not just a pretty hippy in front of a rose window.

Still waiting on that Divine inspiration for the rest...

[morning star]

I don't have any answers for you either but I like her. Maybe it needs the veil/head covering to fully convey a "mary"

I was raised Catholic and have pretty much moved away from that except for "Mary" I think for me too, when I was looking for the goddess image, she was the one that felt like I could relate to her the most. I don't appreciate images with her and a baby as much and I think it was because the catholic church focused on jesus and she was JUST the mother and rather insignificant.

[morning star]

WHEW! ! ! and you didn't even ask!

[Janet]

Thorn, I love your card. Maybe, because I don't have a Catholic background, any woman can be Mary!!!

[katilady]

i really like your card too thorn. i like the idea of any woman being mary too. non traditional works here. :)

[EdensRainbow]

Mary the Second is finished:

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/731/large/1_TeenMary.jpg

I talk about what I was going for in the description. And I know exactly what I'm doing for the last Mary and host card. Woot!

[katilady]

oh. i. love. her. seriously.

[katilady]

international folks should be getting ready to mail soon!

[langelbleu]

Thorn, I love your card. Maybe, because I don't have a Catholic background, any woman can be Mary!!!
Lest we forget, Mary didn't have a Catholic background either ;-)

[katilady]

absolutely! she was a sweet jewish girl. :)

[morning star]

Eden's Rainbow you out did yourself! She is SOOOOOO great!

[katilady]

janet's fantastic cards arrived today, thanks so much for the extra!

[EraserQueen]

Man...everyone is coming up with such COOL interpretations of this theme, and I can't come up with anything lol.

[katilady]

traditional is fine too eq!

[nicci]

ok, i'm in. i did four, sending three. here's a preview (the one i have scanned in so far). mixed media (acrylic, watercolor, collaged paper bits, gesso, board, ink, gel pen). distressed with sanding. not sealed, so no licking!

[katilady]

that's f*ing awesome nicci!

i love these cool takes on the theme!

[EdensRainbow]

:unsure: *lick lick lick*

Er, um, I mean, delicious....uhh, beautiful card nicci! That's the best part about artists coming together. We all think of things in a way no one else would have thought. It's superawesome! (just like my dinner, nom nom nommmmm...)

[nicci]

heeey. i said no licking! man, i'm gonna have to pack these in plastic sleeves. lol

haha. yeah, my marys have green hair. =D obviously fans of the dye.

eden: would love to see your mary as a serigraph.

[Thorn]

And #3. Based loosely on the Virgin of Guadalupe.

[katilady]

fantastic thorn! she looks so peaceful.

[morning star]

Nicci and Thorn those are great! I love Mary's updated look. I was so proud of mine when I sent them in but now............I'm afraid they will be boring..........But as the Beatle song goes "Mother Mary came to me speaking words of wisdom...Let it Be....

[Thorn]

Thanks Morning star!

I'm sure yours are lovely - I didn't see them in your gallery, but I really like the style of work you do have posted there. If you're proud of them, I'm sure their worth it! I've learned to never let other people's work make me feel bad about my own. If I did that, I'd never be able to visit a museum.

[katilady]

i can vouch that morning star's cards are terrific! i think everyone has done a fantastic job with this and i love the blend of traditional with more modern imagery.

[Thorn]

Here's my last one:

[EdensRainbow]

Oh, Thorn! Gorgeous!!

[katilady]

oh i love the red hair thorn!

here's my 1st:

http://www.illustratedatcs.com/forum/gallery/images/641/large/1_mary1.jpg

[katilady]

fantastic cards in from jules! thanks for the extra!

[EdensRainbow]

Kati, she's gorgeous! Oh, I love your work! :daydreaming:

[katilady]

thanks laurie laurie!

[katilady]

some incredibly wonderful and unconventional mary's arrived from thorn--they are waaaay cool!

[katilady]

fab cards in from nicci!

[EdensRainbow]

My cards mailed out today! Due to computer virus of doom I don't have access to my scanner right now. :( So I couldn't post the last Mary, but I think it was a kind of funny take on the theme. :)

(kati, I also cheated and mailed my Sep PAT cards for afa in the same envelope. I included two return envelopes...hope that's ok)

[katilady]

oh, that's totally fine laurie! i can't wait to see the last one!

[morning star]

Okay, what does that mean "love traps us"?

[katilady]

Okay, what does that mean "love traps us"?

i'll let you make your own interpretation!

[morning star]

I have nothing. That's why I asked.
Oh well, maybe something will come to me in a dream or something. Although most of my dreams have been about stuff and packing and what to keep

[katilady]

ok, well here's what it means to me, and this is by no means god's truth:
when we love another person, be it a partner or your mother, we are attached to them in a really strong way. which is a good thing. but that attachment colors EVERYTHING we do, say, think, or decisions we make. and it can trap us. anyway. on to more exciting news!

edensrainbow's FANTASTIC cards have arrived. do you want me to scan the ones that you couldn't laurie? let me know!

[EdensRainbow]

Moving, ick! Fortunately, my Amy and I are officially moved out! Huzzah! We are celebrating with pasta and alcohol and not unpacking. ;)

It would be awesome if you scanned it kati! I liked the way it turned out. :)

[katilady]

mmmm, pasta and alcohol! not unpacking sounds good too, ya'll deserve a break!

will scan asap!

[katilady]

so folks we are near the end. i haven't heard from 2 people so i am assuming they aren't playing. funnily enough we are only waiting on my mom, lol. i have a promise that she will be overnighting hers, though i am not exactly sure what day.

the 2 of you that sent in 6 cards are in luck! even if for some reason mom flakes we will still have 10 players.

my hope is to swap these the day i get mom's. i will keep you all posted!

[EdensRainbow]

My last Mary is in my gallery, thanks to Kati! You're a rockin' good host. :D

[katilady]

no probs laurie! and i love that new one!

[katilady]

just wanted to update ya'll:
dotsdots (mi mama) cards are on their way! i will swap as soon as they arrive, but they should get here well within the 2 week range as she is sending them priority. also, cards are in the gallery.

[katilady]

cards are swapped and i will mail out on monday. i think ya'll will be pleased as punch with your returns! thanks so much for playing. :)

[EdensRainbow]

Ooh, so exciting! I can't wait. :jiggy:

[katilady]

all envies have gone postal, start looking for them friday-ish. i am also working on a swap gallery! :)

[EdensRainbow]

Some very lovely Marys were waiting in my mailbox! Thanks kati, for hosting! And I received lovely cards from dotsdots, lengelbleu, and Nicci. Thanks everyone! This was such a lovely swap to play in.

[katilady]

oh, the 1st to arrive, yay!

[Thorn]

I got my beautiful Marys today, too!

Thank you Heavenphoenix, dotsdots, hogret, and Kati!

[katilady]

i am so thrilled ya'll are liking your returns!

just an fyi--i made a swap gallery of this swap and featured at least 1 card from each player. a couple folks have 2 cards featured. look for it after the new year. :)

[katilady]

I got my beautiful Marys today, too!

Thank you Heavenphoenix, dotsdots, hogret, and Kati!

i think it's funny that you've gotten yours thorn cause my mom is only a few miles from you and she has yet to receive hers yet. funny that.

[EdensRainbow]

In one swap I was in, the host lived in Jersey and one of the players in Sweeden got her cards before I did. How does that make sense?

[katilady]

yea, the postal system is weird!

[langelbleu]

What a delightful swap! I am thrilled to have cards from Morningstar, Nicci & Hogret!

[grrrdjules]

Mine are here, yeah!!!!! Thanks Katy for being a fabbage host and to Eden's Rainbow, HeavenPhoenix and hogret - great cards.

[katilady]

are folks receiving their returns. i have only heard from/received itrader from a couple of folks. so i am wondering if you got them and aren't giving itrader or if you haven't received them. curious!

[dotsdots]

Thank you EdensRainbow, MorningStar, and LangelBleu for the beautiful cards. I liked each one. This is my best swap yet!

[nicci]

i received my returns! they're pretty awesome. i haven't left FB yet cos i took them out of the envelope and put them down somewhere. and now i can't find them. when i do, rep is incoming!

[katilady]

whew! glad they are showing up!

[Janet]

Mine came yesterday but I had keyboard problems again!!!

Thanks to grrrdjules, langelblau and kati. Thanks kati for a great swap :)

[hogret]

Lovely cards, lovely theme - thanks for hosting!