As the summer season approaches, I have a new work from the Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection to present this week on a favorite pastoral theme: the Good Shepherd. In this mixed media painting by Scottish-born Artist Frances Watt the compassionate features of the keeper of the flock are those of Christ. A quartet of evening stars suggests a halo above his head, as he protectively carries the lost sheep of the parable in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7 back to the fold. The deep black wash applied to the left side of the painting, silhouetting the arm and staff of the Good Shepherd, reminds of us of the comforting presence of the Lord when we "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" (Psalm 23:4, KJV). Watt was a great lover of animals and this new image of the shepherd and sheep joins a biblical menagerie already on view on her profile page in the Sacred Artists section. The Sacred Art Pilgrim will be heading off this month to find green pastures and still waters, coming back on-line the beginning of July. (John Kohan)