"Afternoon Light, St. Phillips Church" by Charleston Artist Katherine M. Schneider

Painting today at the corner of Church and Queen Streets provided a great vantage point for lots of uniquely Charleston experiences.

The afternoon sun flooded Church St. highlighting the beautiful steeple of historic St. Phillips Church.


In addition to enjoying bright blue skies and wonderful fall weather, I had a chance to hear the beautiful sounds of the pipe organ of the nearby French Huguenot Church during an afternoon wedding ceremony.

I was showered with the wedding party's festive bubbles as the wind shifted and sent a cloud of shining spheres my way. One wedding guest later asked if I had bubbles on my painting!
I enjoyed talking with wedding guests as they stopped by my easel after the ceremony.


The afternoon sped by quickly with the passing of horse drawn carriage tours and frequent stops from locals and visitors enjoying the afternoon in our historic city by the sea.

"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire" A Painting by Charleston Artist -Katherine M. Schneider

In "Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire" an 10" x 8" oil painting of the French Huguenot Church , the use of complementary colors and architectural design elements makes a strong artistic statement in a compact space.

For more information about the Charleston French Huguenot Church and this painting click the links here (4/23/07) and here (10/20/07).


"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire"
Oil painting on birch panel
Size: 10" x 8"
Sold

"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire"-A Painting of the French Huguenot Church

"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire" is an 10"x 8" painting of the French Huguenot Church pictured below.

I used the complementary color contrasts of the red roof with the blue sky and green palmetto tree for artistic effect. The painting is also designed to use the diagonal thrust of the church's red roof to offset the vertical architectural element of the spires and the circular shape of the palmetto tree in the foreground.

"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire" is a small painting, but the use of complementary colors and contrasting design elements in the composition makes a strong artistic statement.

I met a family who had driven 2hrs. to attend Sunday's service in the church because once a year, the service is said completely in French (except for the sermon) and this was the Sunday. The rest of the year Sunday services are in English.

The Huguenots were French speaking Protestants who came to America to escape persecution from the Catholic Church in France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Their church building is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture with the original cast iron decorations on the roof spires.
I was told by a member of the Huguenot congregation that the cast iron torch (which is original to the building) was used at the apex of the roof instead of a cross because of the symbolic association of a cross with the Catholic church during the colonial era.

The torch is a memorable sight at the top of the church.

"Torch of the French Huguenot Church: Symbol of Holy Fire"
Oil painting on birch panel
Size: 10" x 8"
Sold