Sketch for painting of Karol Wojtyla rising to heaven helped by Mother Teresa and Padre Pio in a spiral of 469 saints being met by The Virgin Mary with Christ at the gate of heaven, 2005, crayon on Bleedproof Marker Paper (80 gm), 42 x 59 cm
This is the second sketch I did towards a painting I'm planning to paint of John Paul's ascent to the gates of heaven assisted by Mother Teresa and Padre Pio in a spiral of the 469 saints canonised during his Papacy (figures differ according to website). He is being met by the Virgin.
Behind her, with his arms stretched out in welcome is a huge figure of Christ in his Glory representing the Gates of Heaven and that entry is to be obtained through him.
In the lower right hand corner is the Angel of the Bullets representing the power said to have protected John Paul's vital organs from the bullets fired at him in the assassination attempt. At the time of drawing I still thought the Pope had been hit by four bullets.
The small whispy, winged figures rising up from below are the prayers of the faithfull for John Paul to be granted entry to heaven.
The original is for sale
First sketch for painting of Karol Wojtyla rising to heaven helped by Mother Teresa and Padre Pio
crayon on Bleedproof Marker Paper (80 gm), 42 x 59.4 cm