The Silent Protector (The Holy Family)

This is my farewell to summer piece, especially since I start back at school in exactly 12 hours from now, which I am Im both excited, and extremely nervous to start, I've got butterflys lol
This piece is also my Ode to the Holy family and families in general and it is another Japanesed theme. St. Joseph, the head and Protector of the Holy family, gently folds his arms around Mary, gently in a protective manner hovering over her and the infant Jesus, whom Mary holds close to herself. Mary's Kimono has exactly 12 layers, which were only worn by Japanese royalty and I found out weighed like 40 pounds, yikes! Originally I had planned to have her hair longer, but then they would cover the flowers on her kimono, which took me forever to do, and I just could do it.
The flowers on her Kimono are the chrysanthemum, which was considered the imperial flower,Cherry and plum blossoms,and several peonies. The Kimono took me the longest, particularly because I couldn't decide on the color palate for the Kimono. I think I'll take a break from painting kimono's for a while, though it's not like I'll ahve a lot of free time for art now that school is starting back, but we'll see what happens. Anyways thanks for viewing my art. Let me know what you think