I should have posted this a few days ago for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, but better late than never! Here's a video I came across a little while back that lays out the ways in which the Bible points to Catholic beliefs about Mary. The best video of it's kind I've yet to see! Enjoy!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Some sketches from my discernment adventures...
As some of you may know I've been discerning consecrated life for a few years now. Here are some sketches that I have done since this past August on my discernment travels.
First stop: Chicago.
This past August, right before heading off to start the school year, I flew out to Chicago for discernment purposes. The following two drawings are from that trip.
Here is a drawing of Ms. Sullivan, who's part of the family I stayed with while I was in Chicago before heading over to the convent of the the Daughters of St. Paul to end my trip.
Here's a drawing I did of Sr. Anne Flanagan fsp. My first drawing of a sister! You can visit this media nun's blog at: http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/
I did this drawing a few weeks ago while I was at a come and see retreat with the Sisters of Life, who are based out of New York. I forgot this sister's name but she was really cute and really excited about my drawing. She was quite a serious model, she asked another sister to hold up a little crucifix behind my head for her to meditate on (and keep her head still) while I drew her. So here's a woman whose gaze is fixed on Jesus!
Here's a drawing of my friend who is a consecrated virgin of the Archdiocese of New York, who I've been corresponding with to look into that vocation. When I was visiting the Sisters of Life I was able to leave my car at her house and have her drive me the rest of the way and pick me up, and I stayed with her a bit after the retreat. In case you're wondering, she's reading something, thus why her expression is the way it is. I encourage you to check out her very excellent blog where she writes about consecrated virginity at: http://sponsa-christi.blogspot.com/
Whenever I show someone my sketchbook it's like I'm giving them a peek into my life. Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my discernment via drawings!
First stop: Chicago.
This past August, right before heading off to start the school year, I flew out to Chicago for discernment purposes. The following two drawings are from that trip.
Here is a drawing of Ms. Sullivan, who's part of the family I stayed with while I was in Chicago before heading over to the convent of the the Daughters of St. Paul to end my trip.
Here's a drawing I did of Sr. Anne Flanagan fsp. My first drawing of a sister! You can visit this media nun's blog at: http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/
I did this drawing a few weeks ago while I was at a come and see retreat with the Sisters of Life, who are based out of New York. I forgot this sister's name but she was really cute and really excited about my drawing. She was quite a serious model, she asked another sister to hold up a little crucifix behind my head for her to meditate on (and keep her head still) while I drew her. So here's a woman whose gaze is fixed on Jesus!
Here's a drawing of my friend who is a consecrated virgin of the Archdiocese of New York, who I've been corresponding with to look into that vocation. When I was visiting the Sisters of Life I was able to leave my car at her house and have her drive me the rest of the way and pick me up, and I stayed with her a bit after the retreat. In case you're wondering, she's reading something, thus why her expression is the way it is. I encourage you to check out her very excellent blog where she writes about consecrated virginity at: http://sponsa-christi.blogspot.com/
Whenever I show someone my sketchbook it's like I'm giving them a peek into my life. Hope you enjoyed this little peek into my discernment via drawings!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Art as Servant: The Art Blog of David Myers
Just this morning I happened across the art blog of David Myers, another Catholic artist and thought I should share it here:
http://artisservant.blogspot.com/
I have only given a cursory look to the blog, as I should probably be writing a paper right now for school, but I did look over an interview of Mr. Myers that was published in the 2009 May/June issue of St. Austin Review Magazine, and noticed that at the bottom of his blog Myers posted an excerpt from that interview, which I'd like to share here because it seems to encapsulate well the gist of the blog and his art (emphasis mine):
The Vocation of the Artist
I firmly believe that art is meant to serve others, especially in lifting the hearts of people, through "ephiphanies of beauty," (John Paul II's letter to artists) to the contemplation and the glory of God. The artist participates in a unique way in the inspiration of the Creator of all things, and knows something of His joy in the act of creation, for "the act of creation is an act of love."(The Agony and the Ecstacy) This act is essentially bound up with the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus, in which what had been invisible was made visible in His person, His life and work, and finally in His death and resurrection. The artist is exhorted by the very perception of his gift to its service. Art is not merely, nor should it ever be, a vehicle for selfish ends or cheap shock and awe, but it must seek to give joy to the lives of others. The artist is then in the end merely a servant of truth, beauty, and goodness, and his work must serve to convey these to a wider audience. "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 15-16)I believe that the artist finds in the lives of Jesus, and of His foster father Joseph, essential role models, especially in their hidden life at Nazareth. Though very little is handed down to us in the Gospels or in tradition illuminating this period in Jesus' life, I believe that this hidden, simple, carpenter's life of "working quietly" (2 Thessalonians 3:11) can be a model for all artists, in which delight is daily sought in the manifestation of beauty in wood, paint, charcoal, dance, the stage, and music. This is a life of humility, where the artist freely accepts that this world, including his own work, "will pass away," (Matt. 24:35) but what it points to never will. Obedience to inspiration, especially as it is inspired by God's Word (itself the revelatory self-expression of God) is the artist's highest calling. This new site is dedicated to this higher calling of the artist, to this challenge.
While this whole passage is good, I chose to draw attention particularly to how Myers' communicates the intimate connection between art and the Incarnation. God is the great Artist who is compelled to make visible the invisible through the physical. With all of physical creation God is communicating something of Himself, but out of all physical creation what is the most accurate picture of the invisible mystery of God is the human body which reveals the person made in the image and likeness of God. Pope John Paul II stated in his General Audience of Wednesday, February 20th, 1980 that:
"The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God, and thus be a sign of it."
And of course, God made himself visible by taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
This topic could be elaborated upon endlessly I'm sure so for now I'm going to stop and try to get some school work done!
May all artist recognize their call to serve God who is Truth, Beauty and Goodness, made visable in through the body of Christ.
http://artisservant.blogspot.com/
I have only given a cursory look to the blog, as I should probably be writing a paper right now for school, but I did look over an interview of Mr. Myers that was published in the 2009 May/June issue of St. Austin Review Magazine, and noticed that at the bottom of his blog Myers posted an excerpt from that interview, which I'd like to share here because it seems to encapsulate well the gist of the blog and his art (emphasis mine):
The Vocation of the Artist
I firmly believe that art is meant to serve others, especially in lifting the hearts of people, through "ephiphanies of beauty," (John Paul II's letter to artists) to the contemplation and the glory of God. The artist participates in a unique way in the inspiration of the Creator of all things, and knows something of His joy in the act of creation, for "the act of creation is an act of love."(The Agony and the Ecstacy) This act is essentially bound up with the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus, in which what had been invisible was made visible in His person, His life and work, and finally in His death and resurrection. The artist is exhorted by the very perception of his gift to its service. Art is not merely, nor should it ever be, a vehicle for selfish ends or cheap shock and awe, but it must seek to give joy to the lives of others. The artist is then in the end merely a servant of truth, beauty, and goodness, and his work must serve to convey these to a wider audience. "Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 15-16)I believe that the artist finds in the lives of Jesus, and of His foster father Joseph, essential role models, especially in their hidden life at Nazareth. Though very little is handed down to us in the Gospels or in tradition illuminating this period in Jesus' life, I believe that this hidden, simple, carpenter's life of "working quietly" (2 Thessalonians 3:11) can be a model for all artists, in which delight is daily sought in the manifestation of beauty in wood, paint, charcoal, dance, the stage, and music. This is a life of humility, where the artist freely accepts that this world, including his own work, "will pass away," (Matt. 24:35) but what it points to never will. Obedience to inspiration, especially as it is inspired by God's Word (itself the revelatory self-expression of God) is the artist's highest calling. This new site is dedicated to this higher calling of the artist, to this challenge.
While this whole passage is good, I chose to draw attention particularly to how Myers' communicates the intimate connection between art and the Incarnation. God is the great Artist who is compelled to make visible the invisible through the physical. With all of physical creation God is communicating something of Himself, but out of all physical creation what is the most accurate picture of the invisible mystery of God is the human body which reveals the person made in the image and likeness of God. Pope John Paul II stated in his General Audience of Wednesday, February 20th, 1980 that:
"The body, and it alone, is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God, and thus be a sign of it."
And of course, God made himself visible by taking on flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
This topic could be elaborated upon endlessly I'm sure so for now I'm going to stop and try to get some school work done!
May all artist recognize their call to serve God who is Truth, Beauty and Goodness, made visable in through the body of Christ.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Masterpiece
Last Saturday when I was attending Mass the deacon incorporated into his homily an excerpt from Ralph Marston's "The Masterpiece" and I thought I should share it here. It really spoke to what I am going through now, as lately (and particularly through a phone conversation I had right before attending Mass the day I heard this homily) God has really "pulled the rug out from under me" so to say as far as my discernment goes. This was very pertinent for me to hear as what has been the struggle in my discernment has been trying to respond to this artistic calling I believe God has given me as well as trying to find if I have a vocation to consecrated life, and these two callings seem to be in tension with one another, hence why discernment is making me into a crazy person! I've done a bit of research and it seems that this version that that deacon used has been adapted from Marston's original, where he seems to communicate that we ourselves are responsible for creating the masterpiece of our life, without reference to God. I like the "tweaked" or appropriated rendition that the deacon used because it speaks to the truth that although we have free will, God is the ultimate artist and it is our role to cooperate as His plan unfolds for our lives.
Your life is a singularly unique work of art that comes to life more richly and more fully in your every moment.
The masterpiece of your life Is not the same as any other, and that is what gives it much of its beauty. It is a living, breathing, feeling work of art that is a distinctive and irreplaceable expression of wonder and joy.
As you feel the remarkable reality of yourself, always remember that you transcend every label that could ever be placed on you. Though there are many ways you have been, there are countless other ways that you will yet be.
You are not old or young, not wealthy or poor, not healthy or ill, for those are all merely outward states that you experience. In fact, you are life itself, and every experience adds to the value and richness of your life.
Just as the darker areas of a painting and the lighter areas play off each other, so too do the varieties of your experience all add to the masterpiece of your life. With each new day, the masterpiece becomes more magnificent.
In this moment, God continues his work of art through you, letting it flow from your authentic heart, giving your spirit cause to soar, and forever capturing the unique beauty of NOW within the masterpiece that is your life.
Your life is a singularly unique work of art that comes to life more richly and more fully in your every moment.
The masterpiece of your life Is not the same as any other, and that is what gives it much of its beauty. It is a living, breathing, feeling work of art that is a distinctive and irreplaceable expression of wonder and joy.
As you feel the remarkable reality of yourself, always remember that you transcend every label that could ever be placed on you. Though there are many ways you have been, there are countless other ways that you will yet be.
You are not old or young, not wealthy or poor, not healthy or ill, for those are all merely outward states that you experience. In fact, you are life itself, and every experience adds to the value and richness of your life.
Just as the darker areas of a painting and the lighter areas play off each other, so too do the varieties of your experience all add to the masterpiece of your life. With each new day, the masterpiece becomes more magnificent.
In this moment, God continues his work of art through you, letting it flow from your authentic heart, giving your spirit cause to soar, and forever capturing the unique beauty of NOW within the masterpiece that is your life.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Hanging By a Moment
I wanted to share this song by Lifehouse, "Hanging By a Moment". This has been one of my favorite songs for a while now and I feel that it really is relevant to where I am in my life now. These past few years as I try to find God's will for my life, my vocation, more often than I should I find myself being anxious and wanting to know the answer right NOW. I feel that Christ is inviting me at this time to cling to Him, and let Him lead me...into something currently unknown, and to be OK with not knowing exactly how it's going to all turn out. This involves a lot of trust and confidence in God's providential care, which God is inviting me to right now. This song really expresses the freedom of seeking first a relationship with Christ and His Kingdom (as in inviting Him to be Lord and King of our hearts and lives) and trusting that the details will fall into place in God's timing. I sense that Christ is asking me for detachment from my own plans for my life so I could let Him in more, to make some more room for Him to move in me, which is of course WAY easier said than done! Looking back on these past several years it's amazing to see God's hand in the ordering of events in my life and am confident that He is leading me now. I can't say exactly what I'll be doing after college or what specific vocation God is calling me to, (I have it narrowed down though), but I get the sense that God is teaching me to trust Him now in preparation for living out my vocation once I find it (He's got a lot of work to do still on me!). For even after finding my vocation trust and abandonment to God will still be required for me to live it out I am sure. Enjoy the song and consider what God may be speaking to YOU through it.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Can I Live?
I think I came across this video for the first time a few years ago. I remember Nick Cannon on Nickelodian as I was growing up. He has a beautiful story and I think this video telling it is very well done and thought I should share.
Watercolor
Here's a watercolor I did a little while ago while sitting in on a figure drawing class. I really never use watercolors, it has been years, and this was my first depicting someone from life with the medium. It's a start anyways! Watercolors might be good for quicker studies as well.
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