BEAUTIFUL KIDS AND A GREAT CAUSE

This drawing was commissioned by my sister for her friends, a couple that does a mission work in Haiti. The photographs were taken by Mandy Busby, who sells prints to raise money for the orphanage where the children portayed live. I found this little boy's gaze to be the most striking, and although my sister asked specifically for the hands to be the main drawing, I had to find a way to incorporate him into the image. Hopefully, Mandy and her family will be able to use prints of this drawing to raise money for the children they assist. Please visit Mandy's site!

GANDHI BONHOEFFER PROJECT COMPLETE

The completed work above was commissioned by a friend that I work with, and it pays tribute to the high esteem that Diettrich Bonhoeffer had for Gandhi, especially his movement of non-violent resistance. It is interesting to note that Bonhoeffer apparently wanted to travel to India and study with Gandhi in person. There is a debate over whether or not Bonhoeffer would have held to a completely pacifist resistance against the Nazis had he not been prevented from taking this journey. Bonhoeffer was a member of the German resistance movement and took part in a failed plot to assassinate Hitler later during the War. It is a debate that we will always have, I think - is there such a thing as a "Just War," particularly in the Light of Christ? Follow this link to read the Catholic understanding. Below I have included two quotes, one from Martin Luther King Jr on Gandhi and Bonhoeffer, and the second an excerpt from a letter Bonhoeffer wrote regarding his desire to study with Gandhi. I have thoroughly enjoyed this project.

"If your opponent has a conscience, then follow Gandhi and nonviolence. But if your enemy has no conscience like Hitler, then follow Bonhoeffer." - Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"[N]ow the time has come when the Sermon on the Mount must be brought to mind again…Incidentally I plan to go to India very soon to see what Gandhi knows about these things and to see what is to be learned there." - Excerpt from a letter written by Bonhoeffer, 1934

BROTHER AND SISTER

These two punkins were drawn for a friend that I work with at Duke. It looks to me like he is saying "You mess with my sister, you messin' with me..."

GANDHI

"I found in the nonviolent resistance philosophy of Gandhi... the only morally and practically sound method open to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This portrait of Gandhi is a companion to my previous drawing of Dietterich Bonhoeffer, and is part of a larger piece commissioned by a friend. Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance to the abuses of the occupying government in his country would inspire great leaders like Bonhoeffer and Dr. Martin Luther King in their efforts to remove oppression and misery by nonviolence. What follows is an excerpt from an article available on Wikipedia:

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, (2 October 1869–30 January 1948), also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha—a philosophy that is largely concerned with truth and 'resistance to evil through active, non-violent resistance'—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is commonly known in India and across the world as the Mahatma ("Great Soul" - an epithet given by Tagore) and as Bapu ("Father"). In India, he is officially accorded the honour of Father of the Nation. 2 October, his birthday, is commemorated each year as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday. On 15 June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution declaring 2 October to be the "International Day of Non-Violence."

Gandhi first employed peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian community's struggle for civil rights in South Africa. Upon his return to India from Africa, he organized poor farmers and labourers to protest against oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for brotherhood amongst different religious and ethnic groups, for an end to untouchability and caste discrimination, and for the economic self-sufficiency of the nation, but above all for Swaraj—the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi famously led his nation in the disobedience of the British salt tax imposed in India with the 400 kilometre (250 miles) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and in an open call for the British to Quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years on numerous occasions in both South Africa and India.

Gandhi practised and advocated non-violence and truth in all situations. He lived simply, organizing an ashram that was self-sufficient in its needs. Making his own clothes—the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with the handspun yarn he spun on a charkha—he lived on a simple vegetarian and, later, fruitarian diet. He underwent long (at times over a month) fasts, for both self-purification and protest.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: A BEAUTIFUL MAN OF GOD

This drawing is in honor of Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Visit to the United States this past week, and was rendered from a photo taken in St. Peter's Square by a good friend. I am very grateful to the Holy Father for his presence and his words, which, as always, were full of beauty, goodness, and hope. I was especially proud of our country and our President for so graciously receiving our Pastor. It was wonderful to see outwardly in his gentle smile the beauty of the Holy Father’s love for Christ and His People. In the past I grieved that the once Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was so maligned and misunderstood. His writing, to me, always revealed a man deeply in love with God. I remember very well the first time that I read a book he wrote named Called to Communion. It was like drinking clear, cold water, the kind that refreshes and brings you to life. A passage from that book follows, in which then Cardinal Ratzinger reflects on the tension between the Office of the Pope and the sinfulness and weakness of the men who have filled that office throughout history.

“If in the course of history the attribution of such authority to men could repeatedly engender the not entirely unfounded suspicion of human arrogation of power… The men in question are so glaringly, so blatantly unequal to this function that the very empowerment of man to be the rock makes evident how little it is they who sustain the Church but God alone who does so, who does so more in spite of men than through them. …When the Church adheres to these words in faith, she is not being triumphalistic but humbly recognizing in wonder and thanksgiving the victory of God over and through human weakness. Whoever deprives these words of their force for fear of triumphalism or of human usurpation of authority does not proclaim that God is greater but diminishes him, since God demonstrates the power of his love, and thus remains faithful to the law of the history of salvation, precisely in the paradox of human impotence. For with the same realism with which we declare today the sins of the popes and their disproportion to the magnitude of their commission, we must also acknowledge that Peter has repeatedly stood as the rock against ideologies, against the dissolution of the word into the plausibilities of a given time, against subjection to the powers of this world.When we see this in the facts of history, we are not celebrating men but praising the Lord, who does not abandon the Church and who desired to manifest that he is the rock through Peter, the little stumbling stone: "flesh and blood" do not save, but the Lord saves through those who are of flesh and blood. To deny this truth is not a plus of faith, not a plus of humility, but is to shrink from the humility that recognizes God as he is. Therefore the Petrine promise and its historical embodiment in Rome remain at the deepest level an ever-renewed motive for joy: the powers of hell will not prevail against it . . .”

– From Called to Communion by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Pope Benedict Visits the United States: WHO THE POPE IS FOR ME

“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31-32)

On the occasion of his 81st birthday, and reflecting on his words and his presence here with us in the United States, I thought it would be appropriate to again post this drawing of Pope Benedict XVI. Like President Bush, I am deeply moved that Pope Benedict, a pastor to me and also to billions of Catholics around the world, would choose to spend his birthday here with us. For me, the Pope, or the “Holy Father” as we Catholics affectionately know him, is a welcome voice of clarity in a sea of voices that contradict and mislead. He continues Saint Peter’s mission, given him by Christ, to “strengthen his brethren.” The office of Pope is often misunderstood, but for me and for billions more, it is absolutely essential. The Lord did not leave us orphans, nor did he leave us to our own varied and countless interpretations of what He taught us. No, He promised that His Spirit “will lead you into all truth.” He told Peter “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church.” For 2,000 years Peter and his successors have protected the unity of the faith by executing this office of strengthening and uniting. The Popes throughout history, like St. Peter, have by no means been perfect, sinless men. Yet, again in the footsteps of Peter, when they have shone with the Light and the Wisdom of Christ, they have not been “a stumbling block” but a Rock and a Beacon of truth and goodness. Pope John Paul the Great is such an example. I am deeply grateful for the ministry that Pope Benedict performs for me and for all Catholics, and will be in prayer for him during his time with us. Happy Birthday, Holy Father!

For My Wife on Our First Anniversary

This video I put together as a gift for my wife on the occasion of our first anniversary. I am more in love today than I was a year ago, and I am so thankful to be able to face life every day with someone who is my best friend. To everyone who has supported and encouraged us during this first year: You know who you are! We love you!

DIETTRICH BONHOEFFER AND THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

This portrait is part of a larger project, but I am displaying it now because it stands on its own as a memorial to a man that I would not hesitate to call a great theologian and saint. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran Pastor and Theologian at the time of the rise of Nazism in Germany. As a very good article in Wikipedia recalls: “During World War II, Bonhoeffer played a key leadership role in the Confessing Church, which opposed the anti-semitic policies of Adolf Hitler. He was among those who called for wider church resistance to Hitler's treatment of the Jews. While the Confessing Church was not large, it represented a major source of Christian opposition to the Nazi government in Germany. After the unsuccessful July 20 Plot in 1944, Bonhoeffer's connections with the conspirators were discovered. He was moved to a series of prisons and concentration camps ending at Flossenbürg,” where he was killed by hanging** at Hitler’s command, very near to the time of the Allies’ entry into the area where he was held prisoner.

My favorite work by Bonhoeffer is admired deeply by Christians of every denomination, and it is called The Cost of Discipleship. In this book, Bonhoeffer famously makes a distinction between what he calls “cheap” vs. “costly” grace. More from Wikipedia follows:

“But what is "cheap" grace? In Bonhoeffer's words: "cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline. Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ." Or, to put it even more clearly, it is to hear the gospel preached as follows: "Of course you have sinned, but now everything is forgiven, so you can stay as you are and enjoy the consolations of forgiveness." The main defect of such a proclamation is that it contains no demand for discipleship.

In contrast to this is costly grace: "costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus, it comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart. It is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."”

You can read more about Bonhoeffer’s life and work at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer

(**Please note that this is a correction to an earlier edition of this post - I mistakenly wrote that the subject died by firing squad. Thank you for your patience and for the correction sent to me by an interested person**)

AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT

This drawing was commissioned by a very dear friend to commemorate the 30th anniversary of his parent's marriage!! It is truly edifying to know such faithful people and to be able to honor their love in this way. I hope that you are as happy with the result as I am. If you scroll down on this page you can view photos of me drawing this piece, which were taken by my friend Garry Boyce, of Modern Metal Studios.

DURHAM ART WALK 2008 AT NEW "BULL CITY ART AND FRAMING COMPANY" IN BRIGHTLEAF SQUARE

This weekend was very exciting for me. I was given a great opportunity to take part in the grand opening of a truly extraordinary Art Gallery in downtown Durham at Bright Leaf Square. I was approached a few months ago by the gallery owners with a wonderful chance to hang my work with many other extremely gifted artists from the area. I hope that you will get an opportunity to visit this venue, as it is truly beautiful. Their framing shop is STATE OF THE ART!! Bull City Art and Frame has the only visual imagery system for project design in the area. (This means that you can see EXACTLY what your piece will look like matted and framed before ever a single cut is made!) I have found Lewis and Tiffany, the owners of the gallery, to be the most down-to-earth and thoroughly professional couple. They gave me a great opportunity to sketch in the gallery over the weekend during the Durham Art Walk.


The images of me and Emily with my work were taken with our camera. All of the matting and framing were done by Bull City Art and Framing Company. The images here of me drawing were taken by my new friend Garry Boyce, who is a great artist, metal sculptor, and, as you can see, photographer! His metal working studio has a fantastic website at http://www.modernmetalstudios.com/


You can visit Bull City Art and Frame Company's website at http://www.bullcityartandframecompany.com/

New Gallery where my work is being shown!!

If you have time today, please join us at the Durham Art Walk in Downtown Durham. I will be drawing at "Bull City Art and Frame" a new gallery where my work is being shown and offered for sale. I hope that you will come by and see it, as it is a great location and a beautiful gallery. The gallery is located in Brightleaf Square right next to Niko's Restaurant. You can see more info on the art walk at this site: http://www.durhamartwalk.com/

Our Lady Health of the Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted

This drawing was drawn as a gift for a very dear friend of mine who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. I have had the idea for this image for a much longer time, and have always loved these three titles of Mary (taken from the Litany of Loretto): "Health of the Sick, Comforter of the Afflicted, and Refuge of Sinners." The image illustrates my experience of faith during my own bout with cancer in the year 2000. My regard for the Blessed Virgin, what we Catholics would call "Devotion," grew as I passed through chemotherapy and surgery towards health. The person who suffers is never alone, and a mother cannot but try to console her children in their pain. I believe that just as Mary stood near the Cross of her son, ever in prayer, so too she stands near our own bed of pain, whatever it may be. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16) How much more do the entreaties of a mother move the heart of her son? My prayer for my friend, and for all who experience suffering, is that they may find the strength that comes from the intercession of all those, like the Blessed Mother, who love and cherish them.

A NEW VIDEO FOR EASTER

Some may remember that last year I made a video that was posted on Good Friday. I just finished one that I have had in mind for some time now, and seemed appropriate for the Octave of Easter. Truly He is Risen, as He said! In this video you will find some of the most stunning and beautiful paintings of Christ that have been done by contemporary masters like Thomas Blackshear II, Nathan Greene, and many others. I have boldly included bits of my poor efforts. The song is one of my favorite renditions of "Fairest Lord Jesus" sung by Christy Nockels for the album "Passion: Hymns Ancient and New." I think that you will find the music inspiring, and hope that the compilation of images set to this great hymn will turn your mind towards the Lord during this season of hope. I have also included the Good Friday music video that I put together last year. Enjoy, and may the Resurrection of the Lord give you Peace as you face your own way of the cross day by day.

Please Note: New Prices

At the advice and strong suggestion of friends and family, as much as for the value of my time (which has been enhanced this past year significantly by my beautiful wife and also by our very mischievous beagle) I have decided to raise my prices for originals and prints. These new figures are displayed to the right of the site, and are effective 3/25/08. I want to thank all those who have commissioned me in the past, helping me to reach a wonderful place where I can say I am "busy" as an artist. These changes will not effect any commissions received before this date. God bless you!

REMAINING STATIONS OF THE CROSS

V: SIMON HELPS JESUS

VI: VERONICA WIPES THE FACE OF JESUS

VII: JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME

VIII: JESUS MEETS THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM

IX: JESUS FALLS THE THIRD TIME

X: JESUS IS STRIPPED OF HIS GARMENTS

XI: JESUS IS CRUCIFIED

XII:JESUS DIES ON THE CROSS

XIII: PIETA

XIII: JESUS IS ENTOMBED

HOLY THURSDAY 2008

"Brothers and sisters:I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you,that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over,took bread, and, after he had given thanks,broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you.Do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes." - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
"Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father.He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his powerand that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist.Then he poured water into a basinand began to wash the disciples’ feetand dry them with the towel around his waist.He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?”Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now,but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed,for he is clean all over;so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him;for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feetand put his garments back on and reclined at table again,he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am.If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.I have given you a model to follow,so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
- John 13:1-15

IN MEMORY OF EVE CARSON

This drawing is in honor of Eve Carson, whose life was celebrated by her friends today at the University of North Carolina. The more that I learned about this young woman after her death, the more I prayed for her school, her friends, and especially her family. I cannot imagine their sorrow at losing so suddenly such a bright and shining light. I can only reverence it. But I felt compelled to offer this small memorial, for it seems that she was truly someone who spent herself in service to others. "May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest." Eternal Rest give unto her O Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon her."

"I love UNC. I love the quad in spring and the arboretum in the fall. I love the pit on a sunny day and graham memorial lounge on a rainy one. I love Roy all the time. But what makes UNC truly special is not our beautiful campus, our distinguished reputation or even our basketball team. It's us - the student body - who make UNC what it is." - Eve Carson

STATIONS OF THE CROSS IV: JESUS MEETS HIS MOTHER

Here is a moment and a mystery too deep to approach without reverence: A mother's love for her dying child confronted with the Love both of her Son and of her God, a collision of love and beauty in the midst of darkness and violence. Amidst a crowd of hearts filled only with hate or apathy, the fullest and most beautiful hearts that have ever been come together again as at their first meeting in Nazareth. Then, as in this moment: "Behold, the Handmaiden of the Lord. Be it done to me according to Thy Word." (Luke 1:38) And so, when we feel helpless to help those we love in their pain, may we learn the soothing balm which your loving gaze must have been for Your Son in the dreadful hour of His Passion. Pray for us, Our Lady of Sorrows, that we may be filled with the compassion of Christ.
We adore You O Christ, and we praise You, for by Your Holy Cross, You have Redeemed the World. Amen.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS III: JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

As this drawing suggests, when You fell for the first time beneath the burden of our sin, Lord, it was no friendly or neutral hand that helped You up. Rather kicks, whips and malicious voices spurred You on from without. From within, Your Love burned on, and You were able to trust through the pain, "for the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore HAVE I SET MY FACE LIKE FLINT." (Isaiah 50:7) Although it seemed impossible, You struggled to Your feet to press on towards other fallings and risings, trusting that You would reach the goal. When the collected failures of my past (and even those that are happening now) seem gathered together to laugh at my present efforts, give me a share of the Spirit in which You rose after this fall. May every failure and accomplishment be in the end, by Your transformative power, for our repentance and salvation. We adore You O Christ and We Praise You. For by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the World. Amen.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS II - JESUS RECEIVES HIS CROSS

The Lord did not avoid His Cross or all the manifold difficulties it presented to His weary and abused Body in those final hours of His Life. Here, in this image taken from The Passion of the Christ, Jesus embraces, even caresses the gritty, splintered wood that He would transform into "The Tree of Life." For from this tree He would pour out our salvation, and its fruit would "be for food, and [its] leaves for healing." (Ezekiel 47:12) How often in my earthly pilgrimage I have despised not the shame of the cross, but the cross itself. How often I have known the good that needed to be done, but despaired of its fulfillment because the task would cause me difficulty, humiliation, or pain. Jesus saw past immediate (excruciating!) pain to the fruit of His sacrifice. I can recall many times that I have come home after a long day, burdened with regret for things left undone which should have been done, if not for my own trepidation. I can also recall the times that I have embraced difficulty for the sake of a greater purpose, a greater good, and come to my place of rest with a happy conscience. Teach us Lord to "earnestly desire the higher gifts. And [show us] a still more excellent way." (1 Cor 12:31) Then will we, living in a time that shuns painful sacrifice, learn the meaning of this "scandalous" embrace. Thank You for embracing Your Cross for us poor sinners, and "despising its shame."

We adore You O Christ, and we praise You, for by Your Holy Cross You have Redeemed the World. Amen.

THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS: I - JESUS IS CONDEMNED TO DEATH

In the following days of Holy Week, I am going to try to post all of the Stations of the Cross, images I have produced over the past four years. As you will see, inspirations were drawn from "The Passion of the Christ" (Mel Gibson, 2004) and from other art inspired by the Way of the Cross. I will share what I can remember of the thoughts that made their way into the prayer of drawing these images, and offer prayers they inspire to accompany each post.
Pilate tried so hard to defer responsibility for his terrible decision to others. He washed his hands vigorously, trying so hard to forget and suppress the cries of his conscience. He ran down the byways of his mind, running from his vague fear of the "what if" of God, and from the profound certainty that he had condemned a man that he knew was innocent. "It is not my fault! I will not be blamed!" My soul so often cries out, finding little and big ways to justify my bad decisions, my small turnings away from the Truth that so puzzled Pilate. Lord Jesus, Savior, so often I switch "truths" according to my own convenience and self protection, and not according to the "still small voice" within which points out the proper way to pray, to think, to decide. Please help us to not fail, as Pilate did, to "redress the wronged" and defend the innocent. "We adore You O Christ, and We praise You, for by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the World." Amen.

A PERSONAL LENTEN TRADITION NEARS COMPLETION

For about four years now, ever since my days as a Seminary Intern, it has been my practice during Lent to illustrate certain Stations of the Cross. Originally, I had intended to illustrate them the first Lent I began them. Well, at last, it seems that I will finally have finished this project.

The subject of this drawing is the 10th Station of the Cross, "Jesus is stripped of His garments." The work is a copy of one of many incredible paintings by James Tissot, the great 19th Century painter. The last station, "The Entombment of Jesus," will be a copy from the monumental "Entombment" of Caravaggio. Once complete, my intention is to post each of the stations I have drawn in order during Holy Week.

Please take time to read about the traditional Stations of the Cross, a profound and very worthwhile devotion. In this station, the Christian is called to meditate on the worldly poverty of Jesus, His nakedness and His willingness to endure the most terrible humiliations so that we might be reconciled to God. In His absolute poverty, Our Lord revealed to us the Riches of His Love. The prayer for this station below is from my favorite Stations of the Cross, "Everyman's Way of the Cross" by Clarence Enzler:

My Lord, I offer You my all - whatever I possess, and more, my self. Detach me from the craving for prestige, position, wealth. Root out of me all trace of envy of my neighbor who has more than I. Release me from the vice of pride, my longing to exalt myself, and lead me to the lowest place. May I be poor in spirit Lord, so that I may be rich in You.

WORKS IN PROCESS

I know that the website has languished for the past few weeks without any posts, and want to thank the faithful who check it every few days. As you can see in these images, I have been busy, but was slowed down for a time by life's little obstacles. Some exciting things are happening. Stay tuned! From the top and left to right - "Bishops James Gibbons and Leo Haid" (For the ongoing 'Tarheel Apostle' project), "Coach Allen and Matt Allen" (for the ongoing UNCW Retrospective project) and "A Special gift for my Goddaughter." (This last one you will love)

THE PELICAN

As you can see, the final version of this Ordination Illustration was much more elaborate than the first post of the drawing's progress. As with many other fine details in other drawings I have done, the designs around the image were tedious, but the result is worth it in the end. I hope you will read the first post of this work's progress for the image's meaning. All the best to the Deacon who commissioned this work, who will soon be ordained to the Priesthood.

Work in Progress: The Pelican, Symbol of Christ

I am very honored to be working to complete the image you see above for another Priestly Ordination. I am very happy to have been contacted and commissioned by so many men studying for the Priesthood. I feel that this is an opportunity for my work to be a true Apostolate, and am overjoyed to have the chance to compose purely religious imagery for such holy occasions. If you have friends who are approaching ordination, please encourage them to visit my site and to see if they would like to have original work done for this solemn day in their life and the life of the Church.

If you are unfamiliar with the image, it is especially dear to the Deacon who commissioned the work, and it will appear on his chasuble at his first Mass of Thanksgiving. It is a traditional image meant to symbolize Christ which dates back to the Middle Ages. It is taken from an erroneous belief that Pelican mothers nursing their young, when stranded in the wilderness, would pierce their own breasts to feed the chicks with their own blood. An explanation of the iconography taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia follows below:

The Pelican is a symbol of the atonement and the Redeemer. It was supposed to wound itself in order to feed its young with its blood and to bring to life those who were dead -- the "pelicane who stricketh blood out of its owne bodye to do others good" (Lyly, Euphues). Allusion is made to this belief in "Hamlet" (act iv): --
To his good friend thus wide I'll ope my arms And, like the kind, life-rendering pelican, Repast them with my blood.Therefore it was deemed a fitting symbol of the Saviour, the nostro pelicano of Dante, Who shed His blood in order to give eternal life to the children of men. Skelton in his "Armorie of Birds" says: --
Then sayd the Pellycan: When my Byrdts be slayne With my bloude I them revyve. Scripture doth record The same dyd our Lord And rose from deth to lyve.

Our Kneeler in its New Home

I thought that you might like to see our new kneeler in its place of honor in our home. Our hope is that it will enrich our lives as married persons and as Catholics. I think that it looks especially good with all of our books.

A Special Project Just in time for Lent

Long before Christmas, I wanted to build a kneeler for our home. After searching online for a kneeler that both my wife and I could use, I found that they were all too expensive, and finally came to the conclusion: "Why buy one when I can build one that's not only cheaper but better?" The only problem then became the money and the tools and the talent. Luckily, my wife was very good to me, and got me a $100 gift card for Lowe's, and convinced her father to help me put together my designs for the kneeler you see above. To say that my father-in-law helped is probably a bit too much of a stretch. Yep, as the photos suggest - he built the thing. He had the tools and the talent.
Check the HUGE book space! You're just not going to find another kneeler anywhere that can fit every season of the Liturgy of the Hours, along with the entire Catholic Encyclopedia on its shelves. Thanks to Ron and to my wife for helping me to make this a reality!

SAINT THOMAS MORE

Here finally is my completed drawing (a copy from a painting by Hans Holbein) of one of my favorite saints, Saint Thomas More: Husband, Father, Lawyer, Knight, Lord Chancellor of England, and Martyr. When I have been wisest, I have turned to Saint Thomas More when I have had a difficult matter to discern, or a difficult decision to make. I think he is most remarkable for his prudence and for putting into practice the Lord's admonition to "be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves." (Mt 10:16) All Christian men should look to him as an example of how to be a good man in a culture that is decaying. I hope that you will enjoy this clip from "A Man for All Seasons," Paul Scofield's masterful portrayal of Saint Thomas More, after the play by Robert Bolt:

TWO PRIESTLY ORDINATIONS : One Theme

These drawings were completed as illustrations for prayer cards that will commemorate the ordination of two men to the Priesthood this coming Spring/Summer. One of these men is a very dear friend, and for his holy card he requested an old drawing that I did entitled "Priest's Hands." I was happy to provide the image, but as he is very dear to me, I wanted to do something special for him on this occasion. The drawing above of "Priest's Hands" is a new version of the original, and you can see the old and the new compared below. It was fun to see what I could do with a favorite image from the past given a couple years experience and development. I think that the new version is the best - crisper, more vivid.

The image of the Priest holding the chalice was commissioned by another man who contacted me through the website after viewing "Priest's Hands." The chalice illustrated is the one that he will use at his Thanksgiving Mass on the day after his ordination. It was great to get the chance to work on two devotional images that compliment each other so well. I hope you are as pleased with the result as I am!

Mountain Getaway