New Painting of Saint Mary of Egypt and Two Podcast Interviews

This is the September 2023 version of the Amy the Artist Email Newsletter. Sign up here to receive this in your email inbox.

I'm excited to share with you my latest commissioned painting of Saint Mary of Egypt, as well as two recent podcast interviews: one with Buck Johnson of The Counterflow Podcast, and another with Michael Ballantine of Woke Up Podcast. 

Saint Mary of Egypt
oil and gold leaf on wood panel
8" x 12"
September 2023

Saint Mary of Egypt is an Egyptian saint in the Orthodox church. She lived an extremely licentious life in Alexandria, prostituting herself but not accepting money. She traveled to Jerusalem for the Great Feasts of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross to find more partners for her lust, but when she tried to enter the church, she found that she was barred by a mysterious, unseen force. Realizing this was because of her impurity, she was overcome with remorse. She saw an icon of the Virgin Mary outside the Church and prayed for forgiveness. She attempted to enter the church again, and this time she was permitted in.  

She returned to the icon of Mary to give thanks, and heard a voice telling her, "If you cross the Jordan, you will find glorious rest." She spent the rest of her life in penitence in the desert. 

New Podcast Interviews

I had a conversation with my good friend Buck Johnson, host of The Counterflow Podcast, about my personal journey to Orthodoxy. The most curious part of my story is that at one point, deep in the throes of atheism, I lost my ability to speak.

Buck writes:

"Amy's journey through far-left politics and feminism left her not only spiritually sick, but she became physically and mentally ill as well from her empty political ideology. At times, she couldn't even speak because, instinctually, she knew her ideas were wrong. She went through multiple secular therapists, all of whom weren't prepared to give her the help she really needed. After a journey through atheism, Catholicism, and multiple other churches, Amy found Christ through the Orthodox Church, and her healing began. Her art showed in this transformation as she began to work on icons of Christ, Mary, and the Saints. Amy's story is gripping, and she's open and honest about her pain."
 

Watch Counterflow Interview

I also spoke with Michael Ballantine of Woke Up Podcast, which features former leftists and atheists who had a change of heart.

Michael writes:

"Amy the Artist discusses her seduction into critical social justice theory and feminism. There was no objective truth and she felt surrounded by deep darkness. Amy sought relief through psychedelics and social justice activism, embracing the dark spirituality of Woke Ideology, which led her to hopelessness and an ideation of self-harm. Barely hanging on, she would repeat to herself, 'It is more complex than this,' referring to the reductionist social justice lens worldview that trapped her in bondage. When she discovered Orthodox Christianity, she found the beauty, preciousness, and spirituality she craved. She found a power over demonic oppression and torment, fully embraced the love of God, and saw her artistic gifts as a form of worship."

Watch Woke Up Interview

I am always extremely humbled and grateful for donations to support my art, recordings, and writing.

I'm excited to share what I'm working on with you next month. Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter!

Amy the Artist