Vermont artist Janet McKenzie pays homage to the feminine figure through sacred and secular imagery. Ms. McKenzie’s paintings depict an inner strength that may challenge or comfort the viewer. She was interviewed about her work by Sarah Paulsen on our Tikkun Daily here.

Using a variety of female forms including African American, Asian, and Caucasian women Ms. McKenzie is able create empowering images of women that are beautiful, thought provoking, and often haunting. Through her paintings Ms. McKenzie strives to convey the heart of the feminine being as a universal symbol of hope.

“Women are for me sacred beings that are the foundation of life, subjects that have the power to captivate my imagination and inform my expression.” Ms. McKenzie’s work is collected and exhibited around the world.

At the Millennium Ms. McKenzie’s image of Jesus, “Jesus of the People,” was selected winner of the National Catholic Reporter’s “Jesus 2000″ competition, by judge Sister Wendy Beckett. The painting was revealed for the first time on the “Today Show” during an interview with Matt Lauer and NCR editor, Michael Farrell. “Jesus of the People” confronts stereotypical thinking by celebrating Jesus as African American. The feminine aspect is served by the fact that the model for this painting was a woman. More of her work can be seen at www.janetmckenzie.com.