Katherine Knapik Riveral

This piece is called “Et Cum Spiritu Tuo” which is Latin for “and with your spirit”. It’s a play on what you would enjoy with the pictured glass of whiskey- a type of spirit, and also to reference both the Madonna and Child on my zippo lighter, as well as the Traditional Catholic Faith of the owner of Mayflower Cigars (which is the brand being painted in this image). With the rose petals also being a symbol of both the Trinity with their number and position and as the main floral symbol of Our Lady (think, the roses that appeared to Juan Diego during the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe), the subject matter of this painting is deeply contemplative and theological. As the owner of Mayflower Cigars so often says “if your body is a temple, then you should fill it with incense”, and use that time on the porch enjoying a cigar and a glass of whiskey to pray and contemplate the mysteries of Our Lord.