Description

Fellowship Of The Spirit (2022): Original Recovery Art Oil Painting

Fellowship Of The Spirit (2022) is a deeply resonant, large-scale original oil painting on canvas by South African contemporary artist Lucille Fernandes-Stangl. Measuring 110 cm x 80 cm, this expressive figurative work invites the viewer into the warm, intimate space of a 12-step meeting. The composition centers on a group of four figures gathered in quiet discussion, anchored by the recognizable blue text of the Big Book resting open on the central table and in the hands of the attendees.

“Thursday evening, we’ve looked forward to it all week. That we might crack open that book and unlock some more of what we haven’t seen before and learn new perspectives from each other. This is a Big Book study at a 12 step meeting. The purpose of the gathering is sobriety and the study of a book that has made the most impact on the recovery of alcoholics in history. Since its publishing in 1939, over 37 million copies have been sold and it remains one of the most accurate texts on alcoholism and addiction to date.”

— Lucille Fernandes-Stangl, Artist Statement

In contemporary recovery art, representing the sanctuary of the fellowship is a vital acknowledgment of how healing occurs in community. By capturing the relaxed posture, engaged expressions, and communal focus of the group, Lucille Fernandes-Stangl translates the profound, life-saving nature of these gatherings into a tangible visual narrative. It is a highly collectible centerpiece for fine art collectors and spaces dedicated to spiritual growth and somatic recovery.

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Artistic Technique, Color Palette & Medium

Created entirely in studio using professional, artist-grade oil paints on canvas, Fellowship Of The Spirit (2022) showcases a masterful balance of atmospheric color and structural impasto brushwork. The artist builds layers of heavy-body paint to define the figures, capturing the soft lighting and lived-in texture of the room.

The color palette radiates warmth, connection, and grounding energy:

• Vibrant Magentas & Warm Pinks: Dominating the background walls, deep rose and magenta hues envelop the room in an atmosphere of warmth, safety, and emotional intimacy.
• Classic Denim Blues & Deep Indigos: Rich blue tones anchor the seating and the figures’ clothing, providing a calming, stable contrast to the energetic background.
• Earthy Greens & Natural Umbers: Forest greens and warm wood tones weave through the foreground and central table, creating a grounded, earthly reality for the spiritual work taking place.

All materials and pigments utilized conform to strict archival and lightfast standards, preserving the artwork’s integrity and rich chromatic depth for generations to come.

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The Narrative: Community, The Big Book & Recovery Art

Fellowship Of The Spirit (2022) honors the profound tradition of the Big Book study—a gathering where shared experience and vulnerability become the tools for survival and sanity. Through expressive mark-making and careful compositional arrangement, the painting conveys the invisible thread that connects individuals in recovery, transforming a humble weekly meeting into a monumental moment of human connection.

As part of Lucille Fernandes-Stangl’s ongoing exploration of addiction, healing, and human connection, this studio original turns shared psychological reality into a lasting, deeply meaningful piece of fine art.

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Artwork Specifications & Fine Art Provenance

This original canvas is an authentic studio work from Johannesburg, South Africa, and includes complete provenance records.

Artwork Details:

• Artwork Title: Fellowship Of The Spirit (2022)
• Artist: Lucille Fernandes-Stangl
• Year of Creation: 2022
• Medium: Archival Oil on Canvas
• Dimensions: 110 cm wide x 80 cm high
• Framing: Unframed canvas (Stretched on professional studio wood strainers)
• Provenance: Direct from the artist’s studio (Johannesburg, South Africa)
• Shipping: Fully insured, professional global packaging and worldwide delivery
• Certificate of Authenticity: Accompanied by an official, hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity. Preservation follows standard international art conservation guidelines.

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Care & Display Guidelines

To preserve the rich texture and archival qualities of your original oil painting, display indoors away from direct, unfiltered sunlight and extreme moisture. Clean gently using a soft, dry microfiber cloth or camel-hair brush to remove dusting without disturbing the delicate impasto peaks.