In Her Tongue is the Law of Kindness
It’s always a mix of excitement and fear when I release a new piece.
All the weeks (and sometimes months) of hard work spent imagining and creating, conveyed in one image and one blog post. It’s a little bit intimidating to think of what people will see or how they will react when they see my piece for the first time. At the same time, though, I find it to be rewarding in a way. To finally see the realization of what was once just an abstract image in my head and a quick sketch on a piece of paper.
Often, when I spend as much time as I do on a piece, I find it hard to express all the thoughts that have coalesced in my mind throughout the journey of creating. Much of my inspiration comes from words already written in a song, an inspiring quote, or a particularly moving story. How could I ever hope to find better words to describe an image, when the story was already so well articulated by another’s words?
I’ve decided that all I really can do is share the original source of my inspiration and explain my interpretation of those words. Maybe explaining the symbolism in my pieces will take away the mystery, but for me, the true magic of art comes when I know what story is being told.
This piece is the fifth installment in my Daughters of the King series (click here to read about and see more of this series). The words that served as the main inspiration for my new piece come from the passage in Proverbs 31:10-31, which is one of the assigned scriptural passages assigned to the value the image represents within the Young Women’s Personal Progress program: Divine Nature.
10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.-Proverbs 31:10-31
I wanted this image to look like a series of oil painting inspired portraits I had done a few years ago and so I knew I needed various props in the image to add interest to what would otherwise be a normal studio portrait. Much of these props were inspired by the value of Divine Nature itself and this passage in Proverbs, but I also drew on Eli’s Dominican heritage to add more to the story.
Detail of Candle and Books
The candle and the shawl in the image represent attending to the needs of a household and preparation for the “winters” of life, as is mentioned in verses eighteen and twenty-one, while the books and the apples represent the wisdom and rewards of hard work, mentioned in verses twenty-six and thirty-one.
The scepter in Eli’s hand, although not immediately apparent, is inspired by verse twenty, which speaks of charity. While researching ways to include charity in this image, I noticed that within many organizations and religions, it was often symbolized by a heart and so I created a scepter with a heart shaped stone to represent verse twenty.
Detail of Scepter
In researching the Dominican Republic, I discovered that this island nation was named after Saint Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers. The painting hanging on Eli’s left (the Astronomer, by Vermeer) and the stars painted on the background behind her were inspired by this.
The Astronomer, Johannes Vermeer
Lately I have started taking my photography in a new direction. These past few months, I’ve realized that I love creating the props and the costumes just as much as I do taking the image and so I have been making an effort to put more work into the image before I even pick up my camera. Next week I will be posting all the behind the scenes stories, videos, and images from bringing this image to life, including how I made the scepter and the process of creating the dress!
What beautiful imagery! Thanks for sharing the story behind this new piece.
Thank you Francine! I’m glad you enjoyed the story! 🙂