Sarpy County shrine gives artist inspiration

The Holy Family Shrine in Gretna has inspired a new piece of art by nationally known painter P. Buckley Moss.

Pat Moss says the shrine enchanted her during her 2007 visit.

“It’s a wonderful place, so inspirational, absolutely gorgeous,” Moss said by phone from her Virginia home.

“It’s so natural and so beautiful and so light,” she said. “You feel so very good there. You feel as if life is very good there. I think that from a distance, it is so appealing.”

The religious images etched in the glass, the water flowing through the shrine and the altar that appears to float on that water all received her praise.

Moss wrote about the shrine in her September newsletter:

“From a distance it looks a little like a huge corncrib on the top of a hill, but it is truly one of the most architecturally interesting buildings I have ever been in.”

The shrine’s crucifix was added after Moss’ 2007 visit and necessitated a last-minute change in the watercolor.

“Holy Family Shrine” is her third piece of artwork inspired by Sarpy County images. It also is her first Sarpy work not linked to Offutt Air Force Base; her previous works included General’s Row and a gazebo, both at Offutt.

Moss said she will have a fourth Sarpy piece in the spring. It will be another image from General’s Row, she said.

Her 250-edition print “Holy Family Shrine” was released as a giclée on paper and is available at Ginger’s Hang Up in Omaha.

Jeff Bosiljevac, owner of Ginger’s Hang Up and a friend of Moss, said both stores — 8495 Frederick St. in Frederick Square and 14477 West Center Road — carry the prints for $110 unframed.

They are done in giclée (French for fine mist), a new printing process, he said.

Giclée produces “a more vivid and true representation of the original,” he said.

Contact the writer:

444-1165, sue.truax@owh.com