CAITLIN CONNOLLY: Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families

THE STORY: Caitlin Connolly's paintings speak to my soul. I love how she combines some abstraction with strong geometrical images. And her images of women blow me away.

I especially like this piece. I just finished reading Mother's Milk: Poems in Search of Heavenly Mother by Rachel Hunt Steenblik, and this is a representation of both our Heavenly Parents and their children.





THE ANALYSIS: What strikes me most about this image is how our Heavenly Parents are one. They form one cohesive triangle that encompasses the entire image. Both of their eyes are cast down, watching over their children. I think it's a lovely illustration of the book of Genesis's use of the word 'Elohim,' meaning 'gods' in ancient Hebrew.

The dotted blue background suggests the heavens, and the red triangle looks like one solid cloak of godly protection spread across the human family. At the bottom, the geometric shapes resolve into human forms. There are a variety of ages, races, and genders portrayed--all children of the same Parents.

The very bottom level shows several forms dressed in white leaning on each other so strongly they look like they're about to tip over. This reminds me of the covenants we make at baptism to mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as witnesses of God at all times. The leaning is a strong representation of that dependence we have on each other.

The white dresses the women wear are triangular shaped, echoing the worlds and lives that our Heavenly Parents have created in the larger image, and suggesting the potential for divine destiny within each woman to become like her Heavenly Mother.

PERSONAL IMPACT: The doctrinal subject of Heavenly Mother is a tender one for many people, especially sisters, in the church right now. Some sisters I know and love are close to tipping out of the church over Heavenly Mother and the role of women. When I look at this painting, it reminds me that we can lean against each other for support. We've got each other's backs. We are all children of our Heavenly Parents, and we all want to return to their presence.

This is larger than women struggling with their place in the church, of course--it applies to all the struggles and divisions the human race has. It's a comforting reminder that we are all encircled about by our Heavenly Parents' love and concern.