Today we feature artist Kristen Wheeler, whose modern iconography of Saint Joan seems to summarize the choices of our Top Ten Joan of Art contest selections: Joan's timelessness, intensity, focus, and grace.

This is another example of how Joan's image is left to our imaginations: her hair (different in each and very Joan of Art piece!), her unique combined personae of soldier and saint, her equal piety and power.

You can find Kristen's work at Ariodante Contemporary Art and Craft Gallery throughout September as part of the Joan of Art display in the Lagniappe Space. Keep checking back for more information on the Opening Day September 5th where we will have some Covid visiting restrictions, allowing a certain number of patrons at a time.

This will be a wonderful time to meet the Joan of Art artists and hear their stories. Kristen's tale is unique in that she started doing this particular work during the pandemic, and as a result continues to be commissioned to do patron saint portraits...perfect for these troubling times!!

It's been fabulous to find out that so many artists locally and nationally find hope and happiness in creating more Joans to share with others.

Congratulations and thank you Kristen!

"St. Jeanne d’Arc--Modern Iconography”
Acrylic and Gouache, Ink 5 x 7”

ABOUT THE WORK

At the beginning of the pandemic, I felt called to start creating icons. While I love and appreciate traditional iconography writing and enveloped myself in the history of it, I found that as an artist, for me, there was not a lot of room for artistic expression in this long-established way of depicting the saints. I was called to use the resources that I had available to me and create my own style. I started by painting Jesus of the Sacred Heart. Once I shared him on social media, I started getting commission requests for Patron Saints, I just completed my 12th depiction. Jeanne d’Arc was commissioned by a friend of mine who said: “"Joan of Arc is so special to me. I recently learned that I'm a descendant of one of the witches tried at Salem. I thought it was just amazing that this kind of persecution of women for their unique gifts has followed me. Joan and Mary both died good Christian women, and it just speaks to me so loudly." Each saint that I have painted has made themselves known to me in uniquely special ways. I study each of their stories and really spend time getting to know them as I paint their portrait. Jeanne spoke very loudly with me. She is a strong woman; young, proud, and carried a heavy burden. I recently did another interpretation of her on her horse for a priest friend of mine and he said this: “I don’t know how to describe this, but I feel like you’ve really captured something in Jeanne d'Arc's face. Beauty, youthfulness, but also a kind of burden. She has a serious, vaguely pained yet determined look, very appropriate." There is no greater compliment to us artists than when our art resonates with others. I am honored that she is included in this fabulous grouping of art from amazing artists near and far.


BIO:
You might find me sipping hot chocolate at Cafe Beignet on Royal Street while writing about what I see in the French Quarter. I might be sitting on a bench in Jackson Square with my sketchbook drawing St. Louis Cathedral, or standing on a streetcar heading to the Garden District where I will wander around Lafayette Cemetery and the local neighborhoods exploring with my camera. I may be out with my husband perusing local flea markets and antique stores for some unique finds to add to our quaint bohemian home in the woods of the northshore of Louisiana. But most times I am sitting on the old wicker swing of my lazy southern porch tending to my plants, a hot cup of lemon mint tea in hand, a cat on my lap, a basset hound at my feet, and reading a good book.

www.khphotographics.com
modern iconography shop coming soon! moderniconographer.com ... See MoreSee Less

16 seconds ago

We are charmed and proud to see that our judges chose a young woman--indeed around the age that Joan was when she first heard her Voices!!--as one of their top ten favorite submissions for the Joan of Art contest.

They had no knowledge of the age or experience of any artist who submitted work--just the name of the piece, the materials, size, and name of artist.

I think they could see what we can all see here...that this is a sincere and reverent drawing of Joan, made with a careful, caring hand.

The bold colors surrounding Joan seem to reflect what Joan may be saying as she kneels in humility, but with her sword and armor: "I can do this. God is with me." #iwasbornforthis

It is continually inspiring to see how Joan's life and spirit inspires people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to immortalize her!!

Look for Martine's piece along with the other Joan of Art selections in the Lagniappe Space at Ariodante Gallery throughout September! Stay tuned for more information on the daylong Opening Reception on September 5th!


"St. Joan of Arc Stained Glass” Watercolor 9 x 12”

ABOUT THE WORK:

Joan of Arc is a hero, as well as a Catholic Saint. My artwork is a reflection of going to church and seeing Saint Joan of Arc depicted in stainglass windows. She looked up to God and spoke to him. She was fearless, selfless, and brave when she went into battle. She’s a true role model for myself and my three sisters. In addition, I am blessed with a French name (as are my other three sisters) and Joan of Arc is from France.

I am proud of Saint Joan of Arc and to be Catholic and to be in a city like New Orleans with such French heritage and I thank my parents for giving me a name consistent with that heritage. It is quite special and makes me feel a connection to St. Joan of Arc.

Thank you,

Martine Elise Miller (age 12) ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

Today we highlight artist Joan Cox who was one of the few artists who submitted work that evoked the beloved French Quarter "Joanie on the Pony".

(She is also the only artist to participate who is named after Joan of Arc herself!)

We are thrilled that this image was selected to be part of our first annual Joan of Art show, as this gorgeous golden statue was a major inspiration for the inception of the Joan of Arc Parade...when the parade was still a small procession, we ended at the statue for our king cake, candles, and birthday song to Joan! It will always be close to our hearts, as it is to so many locally and internationally.

Joan will be among our nine artists whose ten pieces were selected by our first annual Joan of Art judges to be featured in a September show at Ariodante Contemporary Art and Craft Gallery!! Please save the date for the all-day opening extravaganza on Saturday September 5th from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to allow for restricted (10 people at a time) visits inside the gallery...Get ready for some intimate art viewing!! We are so glad that Joan will be coming from her new hometown of Baltimore for the show!

Here is the story behind this evocative, layered painting:

“Maid of Orleans” Archival print on canvas (oil original) 16 x 20”

In the days and months after Hurricane Katrina, when my Magazine Street art gallery, Moxy Studios, was shuttered for three months and we had evacuated back to the East Coast, I began to make paintings about New Orleans that featured the crescent-shaped curve of the Mississippi River along with symbols of the city I love. The iconic Joan of Arc golden statue at the entrance of the French Market came to mind immediately. My name is Joan and my mother named me in honor of Joan of Arc…a fact that I was always proud of and that gave me inner strength…but I had never thought about painting images of her until that time. I started making images of her heroic and iconic stance as a protector of New Orleans.

This painting shows the flooded rooftops of New Orleans from a bird’s eye view and the Maid of Orleans galloping across the map of New Orleans, decorated with several red fleur de lis across the bottom. The original painting is one of 14 in my post-Katrina “Crescent City” series and was quickly purchased out of my gallery but this archival print on canvas is a perfect replica of the original at actual size and will be signed and dedicated on the back for this First Annual Joan of Art event at Ariodante Gallery.

Sadly, my partner and I closed our Gallery, Moxy Studios, in 2007 and I now live back in my hometown of Baltimore…so I am thrilled to be able to show this artwork back in NOLA and to celebrate my namesake!

Artist Bio:

My work is collected across the U.S., Austria, Canada and Great Britain. I hold an MFA from Massachusetts College of Fine Art and a BFA in painting from Towson University in Maryland. My recent studio work depicts taboo intimacies between women—acknowledging and emphasizing the female gaze— and was featured in a solo exhibition at Catalyst Contemporary in Baltimorefrom November 2019 - February 2020. My work opens up a dialogue about the increasingly open presence of lesbian couples in contemporary society and the lack of their presence in the history of Western art.

Please visit joancoxart.com/home.html for my full portfolio. ... See MoreSee Less

3 days ago

We will continue to highlight the "Top Ten" JOAN OF ART selections throughout the week with a feature on each selected piece and the artist.

Continue to stay tuned about more details for the display and sale of these items at Ariodante Contemporary Art and Craft Gallery throughout the month of September.

This particular work elicited a wink from one of the judges who thought it was quite clever that this painting was framed with a recycled fireplace piece...!!

Congratulations Karen and thank you for joining our Army of Artists!! We are truly honored that artists of your caliber entered our first annual contest, and look forward to continuing to follow your work.

Karen Ocker “Jeanne d’Arc” Oil Painting on Board, Framed w/ Antique Cast Iron Fireplace 18 x 27”

ARTIST BIO

Karen Ocker was recently awarded the 2020 South Arts Louisiana State fellowship prize. Her work is included in the 2020 Southern Prize exhibit at the Bo Bartlett Center in Columbus, Georgia and the 2020 Louisiana Contemporary exhibit at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Her work has been included in exhibits at the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center, McKenna Museum of African American Art, Creative Alliance of New Orleans (CANO), New Orleans Museum of Art, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Second Story Gallery, Tréo Gallery, Ariodante Gallery, the Arts Council of New Orleans Gallery, Jazz and Heritage Gallery and the New Orleans Art Center. In 2019 she celebrated her 10th year exhibiting her work at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Her work has appeared in publications including Day for Night, the 2006 New York Whitney Museum Biennial Catalog. Her work is in the permanent collection of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation; the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, TN; and Luciano Benetton's imago mundi collection in Italy.

My working medium is directly influenced by my grandmother, who introduced me to painting as a young child. The floods that followed Hurricane Katrina were the pivotal moment that changed my trajectory from working as a graphic designer to painting full time. My materials are influenced by new tools that I learned to use rebuilding my flooded home and materials amassed from debris piles, giving new life and beauty to things others have discarded.

I chose to paint Jeanne d’Arc in recognition and honor to all the young women who look to their futures fearlessly and who despite nearly insurmountable obstacles, fulfill their destinies by any means necessary. ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago