Vincent van Gogh inspires Raven Mobley for Holiday Card Lane
Raven Mobley, owner of For Love Of Art Studio, created her “Starry Nativity Scene” artwork for Holiday Card Lane. Photo courtesy of Raven Mobley.
MADISON – Artist Raven Mobley created her artwork for Holiday Card Lane with inspiration from “The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh.
“I created the design for the card after reading a Facebook post on Madison Arts Alliance’s page, looking for submissions. I thought that it looked really interesting and wanted to give it a try. Throw my hat in the ring, as they say,” Mobley said.
Mobley, who owns For Love Of Art Studio, painted “Starry Nativity Scene.” Her design includes Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in his manger. One of the three kings waits to present his gift to the Christ child. In the sky, an angel flies in respect for the infant Savior in a colorful field of luminescent stars.
“My card depicts a nativity scene that was very much inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s ‘The Starry Night,’” Mobley said. “I absolutely love his work and style and thought it could really showcase a starlight nativity. The North Star with radiating light, I thought, would make an excellent painting. I would say it falls under the traditional Christmas category.”
The idea for Holiday Card Lane originated in Huntsville during the 1970s along a stretch of Holmes Avenue called “Christmas Card Lane.” Shrail Heinrich of Madison re-introduced the art display for Madison to revive a tradition for the next generation. Artists design cards in mixed genres for the designs, including traditional, whimsical, religious and humorous.
Mobley has been interested in the visual arts for “a really long time. I always loved to create, and art is a wonderful outlet. I do my art for the love of it and sharing it with others.”
“I try to bring people joy with my work, lots of bright colors and whimsy,” Mobley said. “Getting someone to smile with my pieces is kind of the ultimate goal for me.”
Mobley earned a bachelor’s degree in art studio. “I have a mix of formal training (college) and a touch of self-taught talent,” she said.
Holiday Card Lane “was something that I really enjoyed being a part of. I absolutely loved designing and painting (my card). I didn’t have too many challenges,” Mobley said.
“The whole experience was amazing. Maybe the biggest challenge for me was not wanting to let anyone down,” Mobley said. “Holiday Card Lane is something that is a wonderful tradition for Madison, and I wanted to make a card that could always be a part of it.”


