The Reflecting Ornament!

A Christmas Story

The first and only time we met Brooke Shoemaker was on the evening of December 8, 1999. She arrived with husband in tow for her session conducted in a private residence on Abalone Way in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What she lacked in previous modeling experience she easily compensated for in enthusiasm. This session was conducted just prior to the commercial release of digital camera technologies and all photography was completed with a 35 mm short lens. We wish to extend a special thank you to Alex our artist for his ability to capture the essence of Brooke utilizing the mediums of oil on canvas.

Each pose of Brooke as reflected in the various ornaments hanging on the Christmas tree represent the reflection pool of our own lives each year as we retrieve from the attic, basement or garage or opt for the fresh scent of a live tree our keepsake adorned with ornaments accumulated from years and decades past representing multi generational family spans, our stirrings burst forth with seasonal remembrances appreciating too the difficulty of those experiencing grief of a bygone Christmas the death of a spouse, sibling, child or friend.

Brooke in the Nude represent all of us as we bare our emotions and embrace our own mortality each year edging closer to when we shall leave this world as we entered it childlike and naked.

The cross hidden in plain view represents the presence of Almighty God in our lives and to Christians the anticipation of the Nativity as displayed at the base of millions of church altars worldwide. The birth of our Savior the only son of God the ultimate sacrifice borne of this moment and the promise of our own spiritual redemption and freedom in a glorified body healed of disease, addictions, and anguish as we worship our maker face to face.

But for now in this age we must practice keeping the faith by giving it away now more than ever. Christmas is a time like no other when people of no particular persuasion profess receptive to the accolades of this Christian Feast.

Let us share with others what we have as the woman in the First Book of Kings who was gathering sticks at the gates of the city to make her last meal and with her son to accept her fate, death; No food left for this widow the inhabitant of an earthly kingdom damaged by sustained drought. She elevated the prophet’s request for a cake and some water above her own need and was blessed with provisions for a year; her act of faith and giving borne from poverty not surplus.

So this year take a moment and gaze into one of your Christmas ornaments while suspended from your tree. Who do you see? Is it someone you like or love? If not, why?

This portrait is a collector’s item and selection for December of the U.S. Model Forever series reminiscing upon The Golden Age of Las Vegas.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Askdrchristopher.com

Universal Art Gallery

All Rights Reserved 2009

 

 

 

All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG

Text Box: All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG
Text Box: All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG
Text Box: All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG
Text Box: All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG
Text Box: All rights reserved 2009 Copyright UAG

CREED

Full Circle

2009.12

Follow us to Thanksgiving

CREED

Full Circle

2009.12