Inspired by: Luke 1:26-38

… I originally created this image for Sojourners Magazine. I was invited to create an illustration based on Natalie Wigg Stevenson’s reflection on the Annunciation through a queer theological lens. Stevenson’s writing stretched me beyond my limits, and once I got past my discomfort, I became grateful for this challenge. Her commentary broke open my perspective and rebuilt it with affirmation, agency, consent, and pleasure. She notes that Mary is affirmed by the angel: “Greetings, favored one!” (v. 28), Mary exhibits agency: “How can this be?”(v. 34), and offers consent: “Here I am . . . let it be with me according to your word” (v. 38). Stevenson’s writing introduced a question I had never considered: What if Mary experienced pleasure? This notion proved incompatible with my internalized shame. It challenged my deep-seated feelings of unworthiness and threatened to overturn the construct of a God who is repelled by anything human—especially the very natural human qualities of pleasure and desire. The exercise of sitting with this thought felt revolutionary.

As I attempted to create imagery to accompany her work, I found myself in tears. What if my fully embodied self, including the most human parts of me, are not only acceptable but beloved by the creator of the universe? What if because of my me-ness, God couldn’t stay away, and chose to come near and take on flesh too? As I drew, I felt a few steps closer to accepting the steadfast, limitless, unconditional love of God that I claim to believe in, but have yet to fully receive.

The stretched canvas option comes printed and stretched on an 1.5" thick canvas wired and ready to hang. Comes in 16×20.

The archival fine art paper print comes with an inch white border for ease of matting and framing. Comes in 11×14 and 16×20. Your print will be rolled and shipped in a tube.

Printed to order. Please allow around 2 weeks for local printing, hand packaging, and shipping.