George Washington's Home..."Mount Vernon"
Greetings!
Almost two years ago I began this painting of George Washington’s home “Mount Vernon”. Last December 2006 I felt I had finished it. I had a Limited Edition of 25 fine art Giclee prints made the same size as the original painting 30”x40”. In January 2007 I planned to have Lithograph Prints made also in a smaller size.
My plans for the lithograph were put on hold. In mid January I went to take care of my mother as she recovered from unexpected heart surgeries. I got to spend a good amount of time with my parents I treasure. My father went to be with the Lord a week after I came back home.
I’m so glad I was able to spend time with him. God knew I needed to. I have dedicated this new, finally complete painting to my mother (who is doing better now) and dad whom I inherited my artistic abilities from and I miss so much.
A month ago I started painting again with joy! I looked at my painting of “Mount Vernon” and decided to change it quite a bit. It’s a different painting now.
The images below show the different stages the painting went through. I really hope my “Mount Vernon” brings glory to God. For years I have wanted to paint the home of our first president “George Washington” and now I have. It was not easy but very much an honor to paint.
The beginning stages
Taking shape
Should I put in drummer boys?hmmm
Stay or go?
Go ! Sorry drummer boys.
Here is the finished painting.
Here is the finished painting.
"Mount Vernon"
Size 19" x 25"
Mount Vernon is a limited Edition of 500.
In this photo of “Mount Vernon” you see the east front that faces the Potomac River with beautiful hydrangeas in the foreground. The Dove of Peace weather vain George Washington had made special for the cupola, after 10 years of war were over. I think George and Martha’s home is a wonderful place!
There is a scripture in it this painting:
Ecclesiastes 7:3 ...Sorrow is better than laughter because a sad face is good for the heart.
God is so personal and real through his word. I had kind of a hard time with depression after my dad passed away. One particular day I was so very sad. So sad I could almost not move, I looked at my self in the mirror and my face looked so sad I didn’t recognize myself. I picked up my bible and sat down on the bed and prayed and cried to the Lord please help me, tell me something from your word I need you. I opened my bible and my eyes fell on~
Ecclesiastes 7
1. A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
2. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.
3. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
I never had read this chapter before. So very sobering, I chose verse 3 to put in the painting because God wanted me to read that verse to know it was okay to have a sad face. God’s personal touch could not have been more comforting just knowing He talked to me that day through his word so personal helped give me back my strength, to even smile a little.
The next Sunday my husband and girls left early to open our coffee shop. I stayed in bed . At 7am a little voice inside stirred me with excitement “get up watch T.V.” so I got up and remembered it was time for our church to start on T.V. Our pastor David Jeremiah was teaching in the book of Ecclesiastes and it was chapter 7 ! Again God confirmed his personal touch, feeding me the bread of life (his word) to give me back my strength.
I just thought I would tell why I chose this verse. God is amazing.
From the heart,
Bonny Rochester
