Original Art Prints of Helen E. Foley

Henderson - Foley Studio

Original Art Prints of Helen E. Foley

please note:

All of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

All of these Helen E. Foley Art Prints are Collector Item First Edition Prints. There were 2,300 each made of The Holy Father, The Holy Family, the "Padre Pio, Stay With Me, Lord" , and St. Francis prints. Of those, only the first 300 were signed and numbered by the artist herself. The signed and numbered of the Jesus, Mary and Joseph prints are sold out, but Helen will be pleased to sign any future purchases of those particular prints.

Due to recent inquires, We are happy to say that Helen is still alive and still painting in her own well defined style as she prays.

"Jesus, Gift of the Eucharist"

The Crown: of Jesus consists of the tongues of flames which are the gifts of the Holy Spirit; Wisdom, Knowledge, Counsel, Fortitude, Understandings Piety, and Fear of the Lord. These gifts we receive because of Jesus.

The star of David consisting of two triangles intertwined symbolizes the Old and New Testament Covenants. The Cross is the symbol of the means which Jesus used, death on the cross, to redeem us.

In Jesus' right hand He holds a flesh colored Rose, which is the Symbol of Mary from whom He took his Flesh.

From the Rose comes a tear drop, Water, the symbol of Mary's participation in Jesus life, passion and death and, therefore, her participation in the salvation of all humanity as our first representative in salvation. It was willingly shed.

From Jesus' Hand comes a drop of His Blood, here the symbol of His Passion and Death. He willingly shed it.

The Blood of Jesus and the Tear of Mary are symbolic of the mingling of the Water and the Wine which our priests do during the Consecration at the Mass; it is the Mystery of Faith which we celebrate ....it is the willing participation between humanity and God, so important that He made it so inseparable as a drop of water into an entire cup of wine. That water is us through Mary's yes, through the flesh of Mary given to Jesus. This is important so we know how each of us must be willing to participate in each of our own salvation. Freedom of will is the most important factor in this.

The nine angels on each side of Jesus are to honor the nine Choirs of Angels that remained faithful by their own acts of willingness after the fall of the Devil and his legions. Jesus opens His robes to reveal The Holy Eucharist, which is His Heart, His Humanity, His Godhood, to say that He is truly Present under the appearance of bread. The Bread of Life.

His Eyes do not look into yours. Look. Instead, He looks into your heart to search for His Presence there.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

This print is not available at this time

Lithographic Print Jesus, Gift of the Eucharist with Explanation 20 X 24 inches $30.00

Signed and Dated by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Lithographic Print Jesus, Gift of the Eucharist with Explanation 20 X 24 inches $50.00

"Mary, Mother of the Eucharist"

THE MEANINGS OF THE SYMBOLS IN THE PRINT MARY, MOTHER OF THE EUCHARIST

The crown of tears are the seven sorrows.

She is called the Queen of Sorrows. The seven sorrows are:

1. Simeon's predictions of her sorrows and the passion of Jesus

2. The flight into Egypt

3. The losing of the Child Jesus in the Temple

4. The meeting of Jesus and Mary on the Way of the Cross

5. The Crucifixion of Jesus

6. The taking down of Jesus from the Cross

7. The burial of Jesus

The rays of light emanating from Mary are to indicate her status as the Living Monstrance of Jesus as the Mother of His Flesh and Blood.

Her right hand beckons us to come to the Eucharist, her Son.

Her veiled hand indicates that she herself was not made a priest. Yet who better should have had the right but the Flesh that bore Him. Yet, she was not, so does not touch nor consecrate the Host.

The roses on her belt are reminiscent of the rosary prayers which she herself has asked us to pray. She is Queen of the Holy Rosary.

The angels are hers to command. She is Queen of the Angels.

Her face should remind us of her tender innocence. The further you get from her the more sorrowful she looks, and the closer you get she suggests a hope... "Our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope..." She almost smiles.

We are asked to remember that Jesus was Flesh of her flesh, Jesus was Blood of her blood. Jesus was bone of her bone and therefore descended from our common parentage through Adam and Eve. Since all of us did as well that makes Him truly our Brother. In Flesh as well as in Word.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

This print is not available at this time

Lithograph Print Mary, Mother of the Eucharist with Explanation 20 X 24 inches $30.00

"The Compassionate Heart of Saint Joseph"

"...with these hands I held him close to my heart..."

St. Joseph's face was based on the study of the Holy Shroud. Since Joseph was also of the Royal House of David, it makes sense that there would be a family resemblance between him and Jesus. Tradition teaches us that the Shroud is authentic despite what recent scientific tests have said.

St. Joseph's heart shows the rays of light denoting his joys and the tongues of flame emanating are his corresponding sorrows.

The lilies recall his betrothal to Mary and the purity of his heart which won him that right.

The lamp denotes the presence and action of the Holy Spirit.

His hands beckon you to come close to his heart where he held Jesus and also, point to the Rose deflecting attention from himself to Mary. And through Mary to Jesus, the Pearl within the Rose.

The jug symbolizes the Living Waters, the waters of Baptism and the water that became wine, and the wine that becomes Jesus Precious Blood during the Consecration. The design on the jug: it was the custom of a house to stamp their name into the clay of their house's jugs ...the name here is an elaborate design incorporating the name of Jesus; the design itself was sent to Helen from a group of Discalced Sisters in California.

The Rose is the symbol of the Mystical Rose, Mary. It is golden because gold is considered to be precious by mankind. In Ireland there is a devotion to Mary and the song they sing there quotes " Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland...." A Golden Rose was given to the Church at Knock, Ireland by the Pope and is displayed at the apparition sight there.

The Pearl is the Pearl of Great Price which would pay for the redemption of mankind; the Pearl is Jesus.

The royal color of his robe denotes his royal lineage. The Jewish nation traditionally traced a child's bloodline through the father.

The beads in St. Joseph's hand are based on a series of meditations on the psalms.

The medal on the prayer beads is the Star of David enclosing a three-petal flower that denotes the Holy Trinity. The medal and the beads form a prayer chaplet which does not yet exist except in the painting. The design was Helen's.

The angels. The one reaching up by his knee was painted because of a special person in need of prayers during the time the painting was being done. This angel is the symbol of the necessity that we pray for one another and that angels are messengers for us as well as from God. The angel catching the drop of water is to show how precious is the Living Waters...that no one should ever be lost. The angels holding the golden cloth are in adoration of Jesus and Mary.

The angels in the background are there in honor of a multitude of angels who filled his heart with joy on that blessed night of the Babe's birth. Yes, a great number of people had asked Helen for prayers during the time she was painting this painting. And she painted their names in leaded paint, all around St. Joseph, and then painted the angels over them. (She has asked that the painting not be x-rayed in her lifetime) The angels in the foreground have known names: Joseph, Anthony, and Mark.

His joys and sorrows:

St. Joseph the Spouse

His sorrow was the anguish he felt when he thought he would have to leave Mary when she was found to be pregnant.

His joy was indescribable and unspeakable when the Incarnation mystery was made known to him by the angel.

St. Joseph the Father

His sorrow was seeing the infant Jesus born into such poverty.

His joy was heavenly exultation when he heard the angelic hymn and beheld the glory and shining splendor of that celestial night.

St. Joseph the Obedient

His sorrow was the piercing of his own heart at the sight of the Precious Blood shed in the circumcision.

His joy was in speaking aloud the name of Jesus in fulfilling the laws of God.

St. Joseph the Faithful

His sorrow was the mortal dread he suffered upon hearing the prophecy of Simeon touching upon the suffering of his beloved Child and inviolate Spouse.

His joy was sharing in the mysteries of our redemption to come because of these same sufferings.

St. Joseph the Guardian

His sorrow was the toil and poverty in supporting and waiting upon the Son of the Most High especially on the flight into Egypt.

His joy was rejoicing in having near to his heart the very God Himself and to see the idol of Egypt fall prostrate to the ground before Him.

St. Joseph the Authority

His sorrow was the fear of Arcbelaus and bringing Jesus and Mary back out of Egypt.

His joy was the marvel that the King of Heaven should be obedient to his commands.

St. Joseph the Example

His sorrow was when he did lose, through no fault of his own, the Child Jesus, he sought Him sorrowing for the space of three days.

His joy was in finding the Child in the temple amongst the doctors and so by his example we must also seek Him.

Notes:

St. Joseph asked two Franciscan friars that he had rescued in a shipwreck to pray daily one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be in honor of his joys and sorrows.

The altar rail and the archway are taken from the architecture of St. Joseph's
church in Detroit, Michigan, which was slated for closing. The painting was
commissioned from the artist Helen Foley and done by her in honor of Joseph's
Compassionate Heart in thanksgiving for a successful heart operation on a young man
named Joseph.

This is the only known depiction of the Heart of St. Joseph. Helen feels that with the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Compassionate was an accurate description of Joseph's Heart when you consider his response to the needs of the Holy Mother, and the coming Holy Child, and their life together as a Family thereafter. Helen claims no visions, nor locutions. She doesn't believe that all things need a miracle to explain them, and has l earned her own faith through her questions and studies of the Catholic faith. That just as some things can and should be accepted on faith alone, some things can be learned through thought and study. This is one of the things which drew her to her Catholic faith, that Catholics are allowed to ask questions.

A devotion was begun on a regular basis in St. Joseph's honor, and the church building was restored with the incoming funds, and now has historical status. Unfortunately, that brought with it a rule that the painting could not be displayed as it wasn't part of the original
structure. The painting now resides within the enclosure with the discalced Carmelite Sisters

at Parnell, Michigan. When the painting was ready for delivery, Helen brought it to her Little Sisters for the weekend and they asked her if they could keep the painting. Helen explained that it had been commissioned, so she couldn't give it to them.

But 19 years later, her Little Sisters had their prayer answered. The artist is not unhappy with that event, because it seems to fit the personality of the quiet man, Joseph...he did his work, then made a quiet leave-taking. And it said in a very quiet way, that it may take a while for a prayer to be answered, but her Sisters did get what they asked for... The painting, which stands about six feet tall, may be viewed upon request of the Sisters.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Lithographic Print Compassionate Heart of Joseph with Explanation 18 X 24 inches $30.00

"The Holy Family"

To explain the Holy Family (in this wife and mother's words) is so difficult because it is so close to the heart- the central part or the 'heart' of the painting is perhaps the place to start.

The hands in this work are quite central and demonstrate some rather important things about the Holy Family. Joseph supports the Infant with a big strong hand-tenderly- gently and ever so lovingly. We know that the hands of Joseph handled pieces of rough lumber and tools that forced that lumber into desired shapes. How awestruck Joseph must have felt to turn all that strength to the support of the Holy Child.

Jesus' little hand clings to the strength of his father, Joseph, near the heart of Joseph, and Mary revels in and blesses the strong ties of her Beloved-men-folk. All the while, Jesus and Joseph view Mary with loving tenderness and the vulnerability that men have for the women in their lives. Jesus clung to the strength of His Father.

Mary goes on about her work of sewing the seed pearls of purity.

The work of human hands .........

The crown of Joseph reflects his seven sorrows and seven joys...( to say one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Gloria for each joy is the only action I have even found that Joseph asked us to do.).

The crown or halo of Mary is that of the apocalyptic maiden with the twelve stars...

The crown of Jesus is much more universal- many stars and each with the glow of the cross.

The ceiling in the background was taken from a picture of what was first called "St. John's Crypt". As it turns out, it seems it is the ceiling of an old crusader's castle. But that it carried the name of John has special meaning to me. St. John was the only Apostle to return to the side of Jesus before the Passion was completed. I think the name and example of "John" runs high in the redemption prefigurations of the Christian Era.

The stone harks back to the reference in scriptures of the "living stones" of the New Jerusalem.

The water amphora .... the "living waters" ... are they the tears of Mary shed in our behalf ? What a powerful prayer] It certainly calls back the Scripture story of water turned to wine, the human blood of Jesus to be poured forth, the Consecration of the mingling of the water and wine .......

The oil lamp unlit.., the darkness of mankind which will be lit and enlightened by the Holy Spirit in each and every one of us.

The white rose and the black rose..., the state of souls in original sin and the state of souls redeemed.

The wheat and grapes have always been a symbol of the Holy Eucharist

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Lithographic Print The Holy Family with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $70.00

Collectors Limited Edition Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Lithographic Print The Holy Family with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $90.00

"The Holy Father or Papa"

From the words of the artist herself:

I have felt close to all the popes since I became Catholic in 1948. However, Pope John Paul II is special. I feel such an urge to call him "Papa!" I have not known another Pope to be so "with" us.

In the background of the painting Pope John Paul walks a quiet path with rosary in hand.

I love this hidden contemplative man who is probably quietly recharging his strength to do a superhuman job.

The strength of the Rosary drapes over the folded hands of the Pastor who looks directly at us--studying us--evaluating our problems and needs but always loving us.

Again the Rosary passes into the hands of the prayerful Prelate --the powerful man who prays for the wisdom that Solomon asked for the people of God.

And in the foreground our beloved Papa blesses us. If only we could fully realize how precious that blessing is!!

In his left hand he holds a pearl cross attached to the Rosary. I did not make it a crucifix because I wanted to feel that this is my cross that I bear-- and each of our crosses that we take up daily, held in tender keeping in our Papa's hands.

The rosary trails back over the shoulder of the Blessing Pope John Paul to combine with the pearl beads of our Lady of Fatima.

Our Lord Jesus said that she, of her own accord, earned the title "Sorrowful", so I tried to paint that into the beautiful and gentle face of the Queen.

The original painting was done as a gift to a very dear-to-my-heart friend, may God always Bless her and keep her close to His own Heart. This, as in all things, in glory and honor of Jesus the Eucharist.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Lithographic Print The Holy Father "Papa" with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $70.00

Collectors Limited Edition Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Lithographic Print The Holy Father "Papa" with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $90.00

"Stay with Me, Lord"

The Painting "Stay With Me, Lord" Padre Pio

an original oil painting by Helen E. Foley

Padre Pio loved the Sacred Host so much that he would often fall into ecstasy at the Consecration. This is where this painting started: Eucharistic centered.

The title "Stay With Me, Lord" was lifted from a post-Communion prayer attributed to Padre Pio. -Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life and without You, I am without fervor.

Stay with me, Lord, for you are my light and without You, I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your Will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company.

Stay with me, Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I wish it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes, death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You. It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. Oh how I need you, my Jesus in this night of exile.

Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You.

Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the Bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion will be the Light which disperses the darkness, the Force which sustains me, the Unique Joy of my heart.

Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love.

Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for Divine Consolation, because I do not merit it, but, the Gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for. Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.

With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.

Padre Pio lived a monastic life that became public; a hidden life that was agonizingly examined. It gives repeated life to the purpose of St. Francis; Rebuild the Church... don't necessarily stack bricks, but put Christ into the lives of all people, because Padre Pio was a mystic, he was a target for the hard-core skeptic. He was a public man in spite of his humble vocation.

At one time, Padre Pio questioned whether he was pleasing to the Lord God... in his cell., at the altar., in the confessionals. It didn't matter how well he did his job in the eyes of all-- but? " WAS HE PLEASING TO GOD!!??"

There was another time near his death, when he begged prayers of a friend so he would not lose his soul in his final agony. So, it is reasonable to believe that while his great gifts brought great compensation, there was also great opposition and temptations.

He could read hearts, he was not shielded from a knowledge of our shaded desires.

The expressive face of Padre Pio shows what I hoped would be seen as: the man identified with the laity through the Host the very private suffering man who never ceased his intense ardor for God the worshipful man and the seeking, searching man.

In the foreground of the painting are the four candles on the left. Padre Pio assured us that there would most certainly be "three days of darkness." We are told at that time the only light would come from specially blessed beeswax candles. An old priest, Fr. Bernard Stacy, in California gave me the information on the Church's teaching about beeswax, but I have never found an explanation of what the special blessing is supposed to be.

However I was researching another thought on innocence for another painting ... the Baptismal and Confirmation candles of our innocent children were made of beeswax. The forth candle minus the innocent decor is not lit.

I offer this thought (on the candles) not so much as that it is definitely what the candles will be, but as a reminder that our Lord did definitely admonish us to return to innocence.

"Be as a little child!" Such a blessing seemed fitting.

The yellow roses were a gift from my precious Carmelite Sisters who are always at prayer for me.

The three red roses are God's Love over and over and over; God, Man, Redeemer!!

The flesh colored rose is Mary Immaculate.... the perfect being born of man and woman. She stands on our side to transport us to the Divine Redemption.

The crab-apple blossoms represent the fall of mankind through Adam and Eve.

The juniper berries are there because of an account by Anne Catherine Emerich. She said that Our Blessed Mother made a tea of juniper berries that had a healing quality.., a cleansing quality.

Beneath the feet of the dove, there is a rotting cross which represents the death of sins. The dove of course represents the Holy Spirit Who turns His Attention to the Sacred Host.

The dogwood blossoms represent the redeeming qualities of the Cross, and legend has it that the cross was from a dogwood tree.

The Dove is Love and stands between us and a return to our death-causing sins.

If artistic composition should be examined, please note that the directional lines- especially those of viewing- are aimed at the Host so beloved by Padre Pio - including the gaze of the Dove.

The line leading from the Mystical Rose, Mary goes by way of the exposed stigmata on Padre Pio's left hand to the Ciborium, the container of Body of Christ. The symbols of the Holy Name on that left arm follow around to the Dove and back to the Host.

If anyone wants to ask if there is a 'ghost' in the painting (many have commented on photographs taken which show something not visible when viewing the original painting) and the answer is "Yes!"

Canvas is rather expensive at this size. I had started a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe on this canvas, but wasn't doing well so I attempted to paint it out. I had left the head and shoulders of Our Lady in until the rest of the Padre Pio painting was completed. She was such a nice companion and I knew Padre Pio didn't mind a bit even though this was supposed to be a story about him.

Any way, when we took the painting in for photography to make the transparencies for making prints, the Image of Mary came through. The photographer sent it home for repair. I repainted that whole section including the Host.

In the second set of photography, Our Lady was still there. I think I like that.

She stays.., in the painting "Stay With Me, Lord" quietly adoring Jesus, and invisible to the normal eye.., not drawing attention to herself but keeping it always focused on Our Lord.

In this, and in all things, all Glory and Honor to Jesus The Eucharist.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Lithographic Print Padre Pio "Stay With Me Lord" with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $70.00

Collectors Limited Edition Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Lithographic Print Padre Pio "Stay With Me Lord" with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $90.00

"St. Francis"

So many people know so much about St. Francis it almost seem redundant trying to explain anything, especially the wolf who threatened the village. St. Francis was so able to talk to the animals, to all of creation, you could say he was the Catholic example of an environmentalist. If no-one would listen he would give his sermon to the fishes and they were attentive!

The fabric in this painting harks back to the Saint's origins. His father was a merchant of fine cloth and Francis 'sold' quite a supply of it to "rebuild the Church" without his father's knowledge or permission.

The fabric in the front of the painting is almost as a barrier. It was over this dispute with his father that Francis left the secular life altogether and wholeheartedly embraced his religious life and a life of poverty.

The command he had received to "rebuild the church" had less to do with the bricks that Francis attempted to work with, but more with the deep spirituality of the day which was hidden away from the common people in the Monasteries.

The Rosary was the one hundred and fifty psalms; nothing wrong with that, but it was a pretty heavy load for the common ordinary man who worked dawn to dusk just to eat. Francis' contemporary, Dominic, had offered the Rosary which fully encapsulated the Old Testament Life of Christ in the Marian Rosary.

In the painting, the doves hold the blue Stars of David being transformed into the red roses.

The move to bring all of mankind into a deeper understanding of our Holy Faith was the rebuilding asked of St. Francis. He brought the Church back to the poor in the realization they were as worthy as the rich for the gift of faith which they carried in their daily lives. Francis' life became an open practice of poverty and love of God's people. He "rebuilt the church" by living like Jesus out in the midst of his people. He relied directly on God to fulfill all of his needs. He adored every thing God had made. He saw the very best in the very worst. Did he rebuild the Church? Look at the Franciscan Order to this day.

The "vision" at the upper right corner had to do with personal thoughts of mine.

St. Francis received his stigmata before the Crucifix at San Damiano. I don't intend to disparage in any way that Crucifix; it is done in the art style approved of that time for religious art; a stylized exaggeration of reality called iconography. My thoughts were that Francis saw the figures in his vision as more of a reality and in that experience received the stigmata.

The face of Francis depicted here is a composite of my studies of other depictions and descriptions that I have studied over time.

(Note: The original oil painting was given as a gift by Helen to the Franciscan Cenacle that meets at Mary, Queen of Apostles Church in Sand Lake, Michigan. Helen became a member of the Third Order of Franciscans on October 7, 2001 )

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Lithographic Print St. Francis with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $30.00

Collectors Limited Edition Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Lithographic Print St. Francis with Explanation 16 X 20 inches $50.00

"Mother Teresa, I thirst."

Mother Teresa

an original oil painting and explanation by the artist

Helen E. Foley

The face of Jesus is taken from the Holy Shroud. Based upon the bone structure revealed to me in the bruised and swollen face of the dead Man - this is the Living Face of Jesus in the Holy Shroud.

The Crown. I have always understood Jesus’ Crown of Thorns to be the insult to the Godhead. Because of this, I have broken the crown of thorns. This made it evident to me personally, because He IS my God and my King...Living!

Next to Jesus is the young Agnes, before she became a nun. The shamrocks in her hair are to remind us that she entered the novitiate and became a nun in Ireland..... before she obtained permission to found her order.

The face of the Blessed Virgin Mary was taken from a statue that had been delivered for repair to my daughter, Theresa. The man left thinking that his statue was beyond help. He was essentially forsaking the statue to be buried in Theresa’s statue cemetery and was thoroughly amazed at it’s repair, a sort of redemption. I call this face Mary, Our Lady of the Forsaken because Mother Teresa dedicated her life to the forsaken and cast off people of the world.

The next face of Mother Teresa is that of a very determined woman - a no nonsense face. On the base of her determination, she built the foundation of the ministry for which she is famous. All for the love of God, and by the grace of God.

The worn and prayerful Mother Teresa holds the earth bound beads, on which she reflects and contemplates the miseries of the world around her... the world she worked within to make better. Mother Teresa had a great devotion to praying the rosary. Her rosary beads pass through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary so that Mother Teresa’s prayers become the work of heaven.

The last face of Mother Teresa is the public face, the warm rich smile that she gave to one and all. This face is depicted with the lily of peace. Through simple things she brought peace to the world where she made an example of herself. That is the ultimate example of peace.

The grapes and wheat on Jesus’ right shoulder are self explanatory and depicted here to honor Jesus, the Holy Eucharist, who promised to be with us for all time.

The red rose represents passion, suffering and Mary. The white rose is for my beloved little sisters, the discalced Carmelites.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Heaven and Hell

An original oil painting by Helen E. Foley

We begin with the Pearl. This symbol of purity is used here to signify the Pearl of Great Price which won back our life into heaven through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Proceeding from the Pearl is the Tree of Life which is all those living and dead persons who live in the belief of God and his salvation. The living branches contain the vigorous growth of faith and even those droplets which appear to be like green olives... those the artist calls immature drops of blood. Blood is shed by those who are martyrs for the faith. So among the leaves of the Tree of Life are those who died for the faith.

But the dead branches appear to be blasted away from the Pearl. They are not. It is not HE who rejects them, but it is they recoil away in rejection of Gods’ teachings, so they die.

Yet, note there in the center of the painting, the branches which reach up and become green again and hold within their branches blood droplets which look like tear drops of blood.

How can this be that the living branch comes back from the dead? Forgiveness of sins. Jesus told the Apostles, "Whose sins you hold bound here on Earth shall be held bound in Heaven, and whose sins you shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven." This is the basis for belief in confession of our sins, and the means by which we can regain our place in the Tree of Life. Expressing sorrow that we have sinned and asking forgiveness. Sometimes, it is hard to forgive ourselves for things we have done, yet, telling them to another, and hearing forgiveness leads us back. And, this is why the Priest stands between the fork in the branch, with clenched hand and open hand. His action is God’s action by Jesus own words.

Next, we note that each person in the painting has before him his own pearl, which is the symbol of precious portion of life which each of us has been given. The first man at the top is the priest Padre Pio, a noted stigmatic in the Catholic Church. He devoted his entire life to God and his priesthood, so much so, that at one point in life he accepted the wounds in his hands, feet and side. These wounds bled so profusely during the celebration of the Mass that his wounds were kept covered with specially made bandages to soak up the flow. At times it was said no person could bleed that much and live. There are pictures of his hands raised up in prayer in which the candle flame behind his hand shown through the wound in his hand. He is considered to be a holy man by many other creeds than the Catholic Church. There are many books about his life and he was recently canonized.

The next man is the symbol of Fatherhood. He polishes his portion of life with the baptismal robes of his children, bringing them into the faith and nurturing them in ways only a father can, being an example of the authority of God the Father. The artist used her own husband’s features in honor of his more than fifty years of faithfulness and dedication to their marriage and children.

The next man is the Theologian. He does not wear the garb of a priest simply because it does not take priesthood to be a theologian. There are theologians among even the uneducated who are fully capable of a rational analysis of the belief system in which God maintains a personal relation with his creatures. This theologian seeks to know the true faith and the magnifying glass symbolizes the efforts theologians make to understand the true faith and to pass on this knowledge to the rest of us, without need of miracles or emotionalism to ‘prove’ the knowledge, but by God’s revealing of himself to his creatures. His eyes look to Life, in realization of what he has discovered, by way of reasoning.

The man in the purple robes has begun to take away from his portion of life. He symbolizes the False Theologian; he uses all his education to lord it over the other people who "know so little", in his opinion. Jesus talked of those like him who knew the letter of the law, but not the spirit. He adorns himself with the tassels of his degrees, and doesn’t listen to the simple truths in faith.

The next man is the Self Made Man. He uses phrases like "The Lord helps those who help themselves..." only he helps himself off the backs of other people. He takes, not gives. With no conscience, he lives high while his workers struggle for the bread on their tables. And he claims no allegiance to God, because God didn’t put him where he was, he thinks himself did. Once when I told the story of this painting a very young teen asked "Why is that man stealing a host? We are supposed to go up and open our hand and ASK for Jesus to come to us, NOT take! " While the artist had not meant that to look like the Communion Bread offered at Catholic Churches, I thought that an interesting observation for such a young person, so I include that in this story. Why? Because it was so close to the truth of what the man in the painting means: people who take that which does not belong to them as though it is owed to them for the taking, or they disparage and degrade something’s true value until others don’t see it either.

The next man holds the mirror of self adoration. He adorns himself with his portion of life so much so that the pearls which should be a symbol of purity now twine around his arm like a snake. He wears, or rather, almost wears a robe of red and gold. Note that Padre Pio also wears robes of red and gold too, but the difference is why. Padre Pio wears his in honor of the station in life which he lived: a life to honor GOD, not to honor self. While Padre Pio is selfless, this man is selfish. He steals more from his portion of life, in selfishness, and he is an opposite of the father who gives without selfishness.

The last and most fear-filled figure symbolizes the Damned. He has held onto his selfishness to such an extent that it adheres to his own hand. He cannot shake it loose, because he would not let go of it in life. It has become snake eyes, the symbol of loser’s dice. His sin is so great he refuses to acknowledge that forgiveness is a possibility. His selfishness comes back in the form of his own hand turned into a hellish demon to consume himself.

The painting is all about choice. Heaven or Hell, your choice.

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Giclee' Limited Edition Signed and Numbered Prints with Explanation 24 X 12 inches $90.00

We Three Kings

Explanation coming soon

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

All that Glitters

Explanation coming soon

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Cats Dogs

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Collectors Giclee' Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Cats...... 11 X 14 $35.00

Dogs..... 11 X 14 $35.00

Sunrise Sunset

This painting Has the early morning light on the left, mid-day light in the center and evening light on the right

please note:

This painting as well as all of the paintings that Helen E. Foley has produced, are her own works. No other person touches a brush to any of her works of art. There are no co-artists or co-authors.

Collectors Giclee' Signed and Numbered by the Artist Helen E. Foley

Sunrise Sunset.... 35 X 5 inches $85.00

All of Helen E. Foley's Artworks and Crafts are Copyright Protected

Helen E. Foley Collection             Price List of Prints

Lithographic Print Name                                      Size        Price
Jesus, Gift of the Eucharist with Explanation....................... 20 X 24 in.   $30.00

Mary, Mother of the Eucharist with Explanation................... 20 X 24 in.   $30.00

Compassionate Heart of Joseph with Explanation................. 18 X 24 in.   $30.00

The Holy Father "Papa" with Explanation............................ 16 X 20 in.     $70.00

St. Francis with Explanation.............................................. 16 X 20 in.      $30.00

The Holy Family with Explanation........................................ 16 X 20 in.    $70.00

Padre Pio "Stay With Me Lord" with Explanation................. 16 X 20 in.    $70.00

Holy Cards, "Stay With Me Lord" on the backside................. 3 X 5 in.        $0.50
Also sold in packages of 10 $5.00

Lithographic Signed and Dated Prints
Jesus, Gift of the Eucharist with Explanation......................... 20 X 24 in.      $50.00

Lithographic Signed and Numbered Limited Collector Edition Prints
The Holy Family with Explanation....................................... 16 X 20 in.       $90.00

The Holy Father "Papa" with Explanation............................ 16 X 20 in.       $90.00

Padre Pio "Stay With Me Lord" with Explanation.................16 X 20 in.      $90.00

St. Francis with Explanation.................................................16 X 20 in.      $50.00

Giclee' Signed and Numbered Limited Collector Edition Prints
Heaven and Hell with Explanation ..................................... 12 X 24 in.       $90.00

We Three Kings with Explanation...................................... Coming soon

All that Glitters with Explanation........................................ Coming soon

Giclee' Signed and Numbered Limited Collector Edition Prints
Sunrise Sunset ( Crosscut Saw )....................................... 5 X 35 in.          $85.00

Cats............................................................................... 11 X 14 in.          $35.00

Dogs............................................................................... 11 X 14 in.        $35.00

Photographic Pictures
Mother Teresa with Explanation............. .......................... 8 X 10 in.        $10.00

Color Brochures and Pamphlet Explanations of each print $2.00 ea.

Shipping and Handling ........................................................... C. O. D.

Art prints signed and numbered by the artist are available upon request, please call for price.
Each print comes with an explanation taken from the artists own words.

Print out your Order Form and mail with Certified Check or Money Order to:
Henderson - Foley Studio, 3622 Joslyn Road, Lake Orion, Michigan 48359-1210

If paying with a personal check. We wait approx. 10 days for your check to clear before shipping your order.

Or Call us at 248-391-3960 to place your order

Order Form

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e-mail: steve_and_theresa@yahoo.com