St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Resolute Mother 1774–1821
Patronage New York, Education, Converts, Mothers, & Wealth
Feast Day January 4
Elizabeth served her community in New York as a married mother with 5 children. After losing her husband, Elizabeth became Catholic. Her wealthy protestant family abandoned her. Elizabeth felt true isolation, yet strove to give to her community. Even after failing to run a school in a tight financial spot, she persisted until she succeeded, founding the parochial school system in America.
Small Snippet
Saint Elizabeth, intercede to the Holy Ghost that I may surround myself with the right people. That with their support, I may do what once seemed undoable.
Prayer
Artistic Process
Inspiration
There are many images of Elizabeth Ann Seton already. I was drawn to create her while she lived as a married wealthy woman in New York. It felt as if she tailed me for a week until I finally finished.
Azalea Flowers
These symbolize fragility, specifically the feeling Elizabeth had when her husband died in Italy. She lost her wealth because her protestant family abandoned her after her conversion to Catholicism. If anyone understands fragility of pleasure or nice things, it’s Elizabeth.
Sketch
I started with this sketch based off the inspiration I referenced to have a base of where I wanted to create the composition from.
Forget-Me-Nots
The meaning is in the name, and this is how Elizabeth moved through her life. She never forgot the love she had been shown as a child, in her marriage, as a mother, and she took this love and gave it as she became a religious sister.
