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The Rev. Nancy Mills
The title, “What if I had not believed…”
is taken from Psalm 27:17. The painting
tells
of the spiritual journey that follows
along what could seem like a game-board,
perhaps Parcheesi. Each circle tells of
another stop on the way to fully living
into Christ. The top circle shows a
pregnant Lady of Guadalupe as a sign
that ultimately we are all called to
incarnate Christ within. And, what if
She had not believed…?
The Advent hymn #53, The Hymnal 1982,
expresses well what the painting is
about. Especially v.1, Once he came in
blessing, all our ills redressing…; v.
2, Still he comes within us, still his
voice would win us…; v. 4 …let us here
confess thee till in heaven we bless
thee.
The painting itself is made up of oil
painted on canvas along with drawing in
oil crayon and stenciled forms. Beads,
ribbon and trimmings have been hand sewn
to the canvas, adding to it a third
dimensional quality. I have used this
painting as a focus for Quiet Day
meditations, developing each of the four
circles as a spiritual principle to be
considered. .
The Rev. Nancy Mills attended the Moore
College of Art for Women and the
Philadelphia Museum College of Art, now
called the University of the Arts, with
painting as her major study. After
moving to the South, she exhibited
nationally and internationally and has
had gallery representation in Atlanta,
New Orleans, and Baton Rouge among other
cities. Her work hangs in public,
corporate and private Museums along with
pieces in Community Arts collections.
After pursuing a career as an artist,
she answered a call to the priesthood
and is now serving in two parishes in
the Diocese of Georgia. Her studio is
located in the Vicarage of The Church of
the Good Shepherd in Thomasville,
Georgia. She is now engaged with
intentionally integrating her art work
more fully into parish ministry.
Recently she used one of her paintings
to illustrate a point in the sermon for
the first time.
The Rev. Nancy Mills
Email:
nmills@rose.net
Parish:
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Thomasville, Georgia |
