Artist: Sue Ellen Parkinson
Sue Ellen with her painting, The Mystic Mary Magdalene
“I experience the
creative process as
a form of prayer.
It is my sanest
response to the world.
It keeps me whole
and connects me
to the mystery.”
—Sue Ellen Parkinson
For the last few years I've been painting Christian mystics with the intention of discovering my own relationship to them. To the surprise of many of my secular friends my walls are now covered with paintings of Saints. The surprise for me has been that in painting these icons I’ve fallen in love.
I have been particularly drawn to Mary Magdalene and other images of the Sacred Feminine. For me Magdalene has become a symbol of all women who have been misrepresented and denied their appropriate authority in the world. It’s been healing to restore her identity to the wise and sovereign being that I believe she was. In so doing I have become more empowered myself.
I am not a Christian or a religious scholar yet my connection with these icons feels genuine. Painting has helped me to find entrance into what I can only call the Divine.
These icons have had millions upon millions of people praying to them. My sense is that those prayers have created a kind of current and that as I paint them I enter into a vast river of prayer. It is this world of inspiration that I’ve been swept up into that I wish to express and share with others.
—Sue Ellen Parkinson
Sue Ellen is a firm believer that creativity is essential component in transformation. She is available to give public talks about her work. She also teaches SoulCollage, Intuitive Painting and Writing, and Drawing as a Contemplative Practice.
To get in touch with her go to “Contact.”
I have been particularly drawn to Mary Magdalene and other images of the Sacred Feminine. For me Magdalene has become a symbol of all women who have been misrepresented and denied their appropriate authority in the world. It’s been healing to restore her identity to the wise and sovereign being that I believe she was. In so doing I have become more empowered myself.
I am not a Christian or a religious scholar yet my connection with these icons feels genuine. Painting has helped me to find entrance into what I can only call the Divine.
These icons have had millions upon millions of people praying to them. My sense is that those prayers have created a kind of current and that as I paint them I enter into a vast river of prayer. It is this world of inspiration that I’ve been swept up into that I wish to express and share with others.
—Sue Ellen Parkinson
Sue Ellen is a firm believer that creativity is essential component in transformation. She is available to give public talks about her work. She also teaches SoulCollage, Intuitive Painting and Writing, and Drawing as a Contemplative Practice.
To get in touch with her go to “Contact.”
Sue Ellen is a member of North Coast Artists's Gallery, a successful artists co-op in Fort Bragg, CA, that has been serving it's community for 25 years.
At work at home, 2010
A Special Thanks to My Adventuresome Husband Gary
Gary holding a carved angel made by these two wonderful Guatemalan artists.
I want to acknowledge and thank my husband, Gary Owen, for all his support in helping me with my work. He's the one who cuts all those boards for me to paint on! He encourages and consults and gives me the time and space to do the work I need to do.
Thank you, Dear One! I appreciate you!
Thank you, Dear One! I appreciate you!
