Grave Moments: Mount Carmel Cemetery Series
In Wyandotte, Michigan, about a mile from the Detroit River, is Mount Carmel Cemetery. Established in 1864, and still open for burials, the small cemetery is notable for headstones personalized with religious statues, figurines, toys, and floral arrangements. The results are sometimes kitsch, but always heartfelt.
These works, originally and collectively titled Grave Moments, are formal in presentation, academically matted and framed. Colored pencil allows for subtle detail and in most of the works the items are close to actual size. Except in those cases where small changes were made for compositional considerations, the grave sites are depicted as they were found.
The 'musings' accompanying the drawings are my own.
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| The Guardians |
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to guard (gard), verb (Webster's New World Dictionary, 3rd College Edition)
to protect: Old French, garder
to wait: Germanic, wardon, German, warten
to heed, to ware: Indo-European bas, wer-
to fear: Latin, vereri
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| Mementos for the Departed |
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Mementos for the Departed
The year turns.
Under your blanket of earth in the silence and dark, how will you know?
Christmas, Easter, and all the Sundays of Ordinary Time, I will mark
your holidays and seasons.
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| The Memorare |
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O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercessions, was left unaided. Relying on this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother. To you I come, before you I stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petition, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen. Tradition Catholic Prayer
Oh. Little Mother, standing alone.
Whose resting place do you mark?
Our prayers burden you so that your very mantle
Has worn away.
Our petition will be answered! Mercy will be ours!
Let us be with our loved one in rest one day
And in our deepest sleep, lift our cares and grief.
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Grave Moments
Angels of God,
Our guardians dear,
In whom God's love,
We're resting here.
Ever this day,
Be at these sites.
To light,
To guard,
To rule,
And guide.
Amen
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| Grave Moments IV |
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| Grave Moments I |
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| Grave Moments III |
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Grave Moments III
Son, we have been concerned about you. Where are you?
I am now about my Creator's business.
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| Prosi, O |
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Prosi, O
Say a Hail Mary for me at this cold, cold stone.
Say one for you.
Now.
And at the hour of our death.
Amen.
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| O Sacred Heart |
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O Cor Sacratissimum
All our hearts are pierced with thorns.
Together we are force.
Power Rangers, Powderpuff Girls and Jesus Christ.
O Scared Heart surrounded.
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