Our Lady of Tihaljina (near Medjugorje) Bookmark

The original painting of Our Lady of Tihaljina, Our Lady of Grace (also known as Our Lady of Medjugorje) was painted in 2011 by artist Richard L George.

For many years the dominating images representing Our Lady of Medjugorje were photographs of the Italian-made statue, Our Lady of Grace located at Immaculate Conception Parish in the village of Tihaljina, near Medjugorje.

Many pilgrims who visit the parish, kneel and pray before the statue. Her eyes meet theirs as they engage in prayer. I also experienced this.

And that makes perfect sense because when we think of Her and / or are drawing nearer to Her Immaculate Heart in prayer, She is looking right at us, engaging in the very real Mother to dear child relationship She has been entrusted with.

However, over the years since that captivating experience in Tihaljina, I became increasingly aware of how many of the photographs often didn’t represent the statue in shadow, and/or depicting a gaze that was either looking down or away from me.

I increasingly felt nudged to paint this image of Our Blessed Mother so as to be looked upon in the same way as when one kneels before the statue in prayer with the hope to encourage the viewer to engage in a deeper, heart to heart encounter of a very real child to dearest Mother relationship.

At first I painted a quick portrait of the statue engaging the viewer in the hopes that God would use it to bless others.

Once I understood that God was indeed using it, I spent more time on refining the image to make it more beautiful for Our Lady who is all beautiful.

I pray this image of Mother Mary will help you better realize Her love for you and be a help for you to remain ever close to Her Immaculate Heart in prayer.

I increasingly felt nudged to paint this image of Our Blessed Mother so as to be looked upon in the same way as when one kneels before the statue in prayer with the hope to encourage the viewer to engage in a deeper, heart to heart encounter of a very real child to dearest Mother relationship.

“If you knew how much I love you, you’d cry for joy” – Mother Mary (18 Mar 2009 – Medjugorje)