Saint Francis in the World

St Francis in the World

Notes on the painting's narrative:

* The moon and sun are personified - Brother Sun and Sister moon as from St Francis' canticle.
* Waves of a surrounding sea flow from sunbeams around to tree roots.
* A tree root becomes a green path to the future outside the canvas edges.
* Clare stands above a tree - there is an account of St Francis doing the same. He was seen growing so tall that he could reach down to a tree.
* Clare is dressed in blue and holds the stem of a blue (Himalayan) poppy - a symbol of the imagination showing her vision in recognising the spiritual significance of Francis.
* There is a circular backdrop to the narrative and an angel hold a Tau cross set in a circular shield.
* At the top is the church St Francis began building and that is still being built by peacemakers.
* The painting refers to the journeys Francis made including sea voyages.
* 'St Francis in the World' is intended as a peaceful, hopeful and nature focused picture.