St. Gertrude was born in 626 AD in Belgium to Itta and Pepin of Landen. Her family was very pious. Itta founded two monasteries for monks and one for nuns. Gertrude was the abbess. She was known for her generosity to pilgrims and travelers. Upon her mother's death, Gertrude built churches, monasteries and hospices on the family estates. She relinquished her abbess position at age 30 so she could meditate, study and pray more. She died at the auspicious age of 33. She is often depicted with rodents running up her staff, which some say represent the souls in purgatory rising up into heaven. She is invoked against rodents and that is how she became patron of cats and cat lovers.
"St. Gertrude, you are a woman of great example both for your intellect and your heart. With joy and compassion my I meet my students' needs so that their minds and hearts are inspired and enriched."
Lynn Garlick Retablos grew organically over a period of 20 years. To create these heart-felt paintings of saints, angels and blessings, Lynn has brought to the folk art of Retablo making, all the skills and passions that she has learned through a lifetime of drawing, woodworking and painting. She is a long time resident of Taos, New Mexico. Moved by the sacred art of the retablo paintings and the santeros (saint makers) who made them, she started creating them herself. Lynn handcarves and paints her original designs on the traditionally used ponderosa pine planks. Then she decoupages high quality prints of her originals onto pine boards, in an old school technique used for the Italian altar screens of medieval Europe.
Speaking of her work, Lynn says, "The diverse cultures and the landscape of this part of the country deeply and yet unintentionally influenced me both artistically and spiritually. I am nourished by Northern New Mexico's rugged wildness and rawness. The profound devotion found in the different traditions and faiths here are unusual and inspiring. My original Retablos are painted on board with watercolor. I produce these prints with a deep appreciation of the santero and what has come before".
Includes a statement about the saint on the reverse side. Most are available as either an ornament or a wall hanging. The Ornaments are hand printed on a masonite board with a thread for easy hanging.
The Retablos range in size from 9" to 13" inches tall and are 5 1/2" wide by 3/4" thick. Ornaments range in size from 4" to 6" tall by 2 1/2" to 3" wide by 1/8" thick.
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