Oak of Kildare – 12″ x 12″ – watercolor – Feast of St. Brigit, 2013
Today is the feast day of Brigit of Kildare, a legendary Irish saint from the 5th and 6th centuries. She was the founding abbess of a large combined monastery (both men and women lived there,) and was especially known for her generosity and hospitality. She is also said to have founded a school of art, including metalwork and illumination. The name of her monastery means ‘church of the oak,’ and it was built at a site that was holy to the druids who came before her, so I made this painting to honor her day today.