It seems always at this time of year that the paintings which come to me are about Easter. Starting early in spring, my mind becomes flooded with images of women carrying flowers to church and thoughts of Easter...

I hope this painting brings you a few moments of joy and serves as a reminder of that day when the angel rolled away the stone and declared "He is risen!"

Seen above and on front-page mastheads: The Angel Of Resurrection by Jan Oliver.

Words above by Jan Oliver.

Blessing the Mothers

a simple gladness
that latches onto us
and graces us
on our way.

Seen above and on front-page mastheads: "Madonna of the Sighs", oil on canvas, 2011, 10"x10", by Mel Ahlborn after Francesco Granacci. Currently on exhibit through May 27th in 'Magnificat: Mary in Art' at the Cathedral Cultural Center Sunderland Gallery, St Cecilia Cathedral, Omaha, Nebraska, Paula Wallace, Curator.

Words above: "Blessing The Mothers" by Jan Richardson.

I work somewhere between painting and sculpture which I call three dimensional paintings and where I expand the conventional boundaries of the media. Art for me is the principal, connecting link between the concrete world—LIFE—and the illusory one.

It reflects especially in my latest works under a theme “Letter to You…” where I express my thoughts in Swedish, Russian, and English, and put it in writing on my paintings, sculptures and installations. My works reflect not only the splashes of emotions like despair, suffering, delight, and recklessness but also the movement of LOVE… SPIRITUALITY… TIME…

Since my mother died suddenly I have been able to work through sorrow with the help of my painting. This short step between life and death sharpened my awareness of the existential issues of life, and my subjects took on an ethereal aspect in the form of contemporary “icons.”

Images and words by Ludmila Pawlowska.

Seen above top (and on front-page mastheads): "Mirror of Your Soul"; Middle: "Why?"; and Bottom: "Crucifixion."

"Icons in Transformation," by Ludmila Pawlowska, is currently on exhibit at Christ Church Cathedral, Cincinnati and will run through June 2011.

Life goes in so many directions
As the heart goes so goes the mind
As the mind goes so goes the strength
After all, it's all in your mind
Life curves and the gods send curve balls
We catch the days when we can
We live and count the costs
We draw straight lines with crooked pens
Finding our heart in our friends
Life goes and comes - trace the ways

Image and Words above by The Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Priest For Pastoral Care & Nurture at Trinity Wall Street. You can read more of his words at his blog, "The Fullness." Mark was the Curator for ECVA's Exhibition: "Word & Example" which was part of the Baptismal Covenant Series of exhibitions. (Diane Walker is ECVA Exhibitions Director.)

I

Beyond the years the answer lies,
Beyond where brood the grieving skies
And Night drops tears.
Where Faith rod-chastened smiles to rise
And doff its fears,
And carping Sorrow pines and dies—
Beyond the years.

II

Beyond the years the prayer for rest
Shall beat no more within the breast;
The darkness clears,
And Morn perched on the mountain's crest
Her form uprears—
The day that is to come is best,
Beyond the years.

III

Beyond the years the soul shall find
That endless peace for which it pined,
For light appears,
And to the eyes that still were blind
With blood and tears,
Their sight shall come all unconfined
Beyond the years.

Words above: “Beyond the Years” by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Seen above: “A Turbulent Peace” by Jacquelyn Campbell