Saints at San Xavier del Bac – Folk Art in a Mission Church

March 6, 2011 by 4 Comments
Carving, Mission San Xavier del Bac

Katerina Tekawitha Carving

There are many statues of saints in the church, San Xavier del Bac, on the Tohono O’Odham Indian Reservation. All are wood carvings, and many are painted in bright colors.

Interior Statue, Mission San Xavier del Bac

Mary at Mission San Xavier del Bac

The walls are also painted, lots of reds, blues, yellows. Many of the statues are in alcoves with carved and painted drapes and curtains.

Offerings, Mission San Xavier del Bac

Candles and Offerings

Rows and rows of candles illuminate the intentions of the faithful. Again, this statue is in an alcove decorated with carved draperies, and flanked by winged angels. The entire church is unbelievably rich in art considering it was created in the 18th century by New Spain, Mexican, and Native American artisans.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  Exploring new places, new ideas, new art every day. I love going on my “explores”.

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Photographer’s Shadow – Integrating Light and Shadow

March 5, 2011 by 8 Comments
The Photographer's Shadow

The Photographer’s Shadow © 2011 Bo Mackison

Arizona is working out well. Mostly. I love the new places to explore, the challenge, and of course, I love the sunny skies and the warm weather.

But once in awhile I feel like I’m living under a shadow.

One needs both light and shadow to make a photograph. All light and the scene will be over-exposed and all white. Nothing visible. All shadow, and the photograph would be underexposed, the scene dark, the shapes and figures indistinguishable.

Photographs are a combination of light and shadow. Life is a combination of light and shadow, too.

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. She is living in Tucson for two months, exhibiting her photography in art shows, taking photographs, and blogging about photography, art fairs, and living life “solo.”  Even learning how to adapt to life’s ups and downs is a worthwhile adventure.

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