A correction and amended post: The original of Flight into Egypt (also known as Flight II) has been to sold by the Flagship Deseret Book on Temple Square to hang in the Guest Home for the Stockholm Sweden patrons traveling to the Temple, (not in the Temple proper itself). It will remain in the Guest Home as its permanent home. It's buyer was not from the Temple Presidency. Just setting the record straight.
I am posing with Raquel Machado Ward, the model for Mary, in front of the painting Flight into Egypt (Flight II) at the Flagship Deseret Book on Temple Square, March 26, 2011.
This was a new experience for me, the first time consigning an original to Deseret Book. The client then requested that the painting be removed from the stretcher and rolled for transport on a plane to Sweden where it will be reframed. Luckily, Deseret Book handled all the details on that end.
Being the guest artist at Deseret Book's Lunch and Learn was such a positive experience, making lots of print sales and making my goal to sell at least one original (the other original I brought out is Five That Were Wise), that I am looking forward to returning in August 2011 for a similar guest appearance.
The funny tidbit behind this painting is that even though it is named Flight II, it was really the first attempt at the subject matter, while the second attempt (square version) just entitled Flight, which is the more recognizable version, is the one entered into to the last International Church Art Competition and the one to receive the Purchase Award and is now owned by the Museum of Church History and Art. I really had not intended on showing this piece very seriously anywhere.
But I guess that for some reason, something about the theme perhaps has resonance with its viewers, which I think is in no small part due to a wonderful model, Raquel Machado Ward who makes an engaging Mary whose face draws in the viewer. She is Brazilian, actually, but has a great ethnic look, which is why I selected her. She has been my model for Mary for at least 10 years.
