What is this painting called?

What is this "Judy Law" painting called?

• My Nana gave me a reprint of a painting and I have NO clue what it's called or what the story behind it is. There is a woman standing inside what looks like a cave strewn with straw. The woman is dressed in traditional "Jesus-time" garb, with a white wrap around her head and a blue-gray dress/robe. She is holding an infant wrapped in white cloth, and you can't see the infant's face. The woman is facing a cavity in the rock to her right, where white light is streaming and illuminating the cave in which she stands. The woman is gazing into the light. On the floor near her feet, there is a brown clay jar and a shallow bowl of liquid, which resembles water. Under the bowl and beside the jar, there are what looks like a brown blanket and white cloth. Directly behind the woman is a narrow wooden pillar from floor to ceiling. The painting itself is signed "JUDY LAW (c) 1991". Can anyone tell me the painting's name and the story behind it, and/or provide me links for more details?

• Answer:

  She seems to be a Mormon artist from Springville, Utah, specialized in religious subjects. Mention of her at an event at the Springville Museum of Art in Utah: “On December 4 audiences will learn about painting and pastels from artist Judy Law. Following her remarks the Springville High School Handbell Chorus will perform a medley of seasonal songs.” http://www.springville.org/departments/artmuseum/Newsletters/museum_2006_10_01.pdf Here there is one of her paintings (about mid-page: scroll down to “Judy Law”; the caption says: “‘Sanctify to Thee Thy Deepest Distress,’ by Judy Law of Springville, Utah—which won an Award of Merit—explores our earthly sufferings. “Mortality brings pain. But we live beyond earth life, and we are not alone and forgotten in our struggles and suffering here. Our loving Heavenly Father cares for us and sustains us. He will send strength, comfort, and peace. One day He will turn our faith to wisdom, our challenges to blessings, our suffering to joy.” http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=08fa84d4a0a0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 A 14x20” print by her, called “Sanctify” (not shown), is mentioned here (an online Mormon shop): http://www.deseretbooks.com/store/product?sku=4982070 And here: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=3fe3925cf971c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 it seems there was originally an illustration by her, called “And It Came to Pass Also That a New Star Did Appear”... ... which, it turns out, is probably the original (and original title) of the painting you have. You can see it on page 13 of a pdf file called "December 2005 The Friend": http://www.lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Magazines/Friend/English/2005/FRD_2005_1200_Dec_Complete_25972_eng.pdf In case it's hard to open for you (it was for me), here's what the page looks like: http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=judylawillustrationwelcra3.jpg