In my Annunciation the angel Gabriel stands on a rotting stump which has a living branch growing out of it showing hope and prosperity. The stump is the dead stump of Jesse, David's father, whose lineage of kings, after they are long dead, will yield a new King born to them Jesus, the son of David. You may notice I have made this branch a Sugar Maple tree -- the state tree of West Virginia where this work is placed. Mary is shown here as the Second Eve.

Mary is gathering figs when the Angel Gabriel appears. She is shown here as the Second Eve. The first Eve sinned and covered herself with the leaves of a fig tree. Jesus, you may remember, cursed a fig tree because He came to it and found no fruit. Mary, the Second Eve, is entwined in a fruitful fig tree, fruitful Israel, without sin. I am not aware of any other art work that has portrayed the fig tree and Mary in this way. Installation at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, Charleston, West Virginia. Bronze, 100 inches in height.