Chinoiserie Christmas original watercolor painting, The Journey to Bethlehem

In the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, his parents had to travel to the town of Bethlehem. I have interpreted the scene in a chinoiserie style, in the tradition of "inculturation," where religious art isn't created as a literal representation of the scene, but is adapted to reflect global traditions and culture, so that everyone might see themselves reflected in the story.

Chinoiserie style is personal to me, because it's an adaptation of Chinese art for a western (French) audience, which also happen to be my own two heritages.

In my painting, Joseph walks leading a donkey, ridden by a pregnant Mary. The scenery shows mountains and trees from Judea, in a Chinese painting style. Three threes on a mountain foreshadows the crucifixion of Jesus, which, in fact, is the reason for his birth.

My original watercolor and ink painting is stamped with my Chinese seal and signed. The gold frame can be hung on a wall or propped on a surface. The painting is 6 inches wide, and the frame is 8 inches wide.