by Jen Norton | Mar 26, 2016 | Painting Stories, Philosophy
Life on modern earth can be like a hurricane, swirling us one way, then the other. Fear, indecision, conflicting opinions, self-doubt, 24 hours of noise. It can all be overwhelming. And if you “build your house on sand” by trying to navigate it all yourself, it just...
by Jen Norton | Jan 27, 2016 | Painting Stories, Philosophy
The Pope has declared 2016 a “Jubilee Year of Mercy” in the Catholic church, an opportunity for faith-filled people to mindfully practice acts of mercy among their families, communities and in the larger world. No matter what your belief system, practicing works of...
by Jen Norton | Aug 29, 2015 | Painting Stories
I was recently commissioned to paint some saints for a gift company who will be making products from my work next year (more on that later…). One of the saints requested was St. Christopher, and even though I attend a “St. Christopher” church, I have to admit I really...
by Jen Norton | Mar 20, 2015 | Painting Stories
Fr. Junipero Serra, founder of nine of the twenty-one California missions, is to be canonized (officially declared a saint by the Catholic church) later this year. If you aren’t familiar with Serra, he is an essential figure in California history, but also a...
by Jen Norton | Mar 1, 2015 | Painting Stories
In the Catholic church, and in many other Christian churches, we are currently in the season of “Lent.” It is a time of reflection and repentance to prepare for Easter, the promise of new life. It is a time to reflect on all that we have, and have done; all that we...
by Jen Norton | Nov 30, 2014 | Painting Stories
I never really pondered the “Canticle of Mary” (aka the “Magnificat”) before I was contacted by author Jerry Windley-Daoust about licensing an image for his soon-to-be released illuminated guide to the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary. It’s a good story to recall during...
