maid of fire

Inspired by Mark Twain's 'Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc', and the heart wrenching lyrics of the late, great Leonard Cohen, this portrait was commissioned by a very special friend. It took a while to complete, but her she is.

"And who are you?" she sternly spokeTo the one beneath the smoke"Why, I'm fire", he replied"And I love your solitude, I love your pride" "Then fire, make your body coldI'm going to give you mine to hold"Saying this she climbed insideTo be his one, to be his only bride

And deep into his fiery heartHe took the dust of Joan of ArcAnd high above the wedding guestsHe hung the ashes of her wedding dress

Leonard Cohen, 1971