ABOUT THE ARTIST

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Mebane, NC, United States
My wife Emily and I currently live in Mebane, NC with our son Evan. I am actively accepting commissions at this time. You may request work by contacting me at artisservant@gmail.com. I currently charge $200 for 11x14 drawings and $150 for 8x10s. I sell prints of my work for $25 for 11x14 and $15 for 8x10. I hope that you will enjoy the works here displayed, and that you will contact me with your comments at artisservant@gmail.com - January 5th, 2015

Sunday, October 28, 2007

MYSTICAL HORIZON: Thesis Illustration

Thanks to the referral of my friend, Nick Hardesty, I was recently commissioned to illustrate the senior thesis of a student at Franciscan University in Steubenville Ohio. I have a great love for the University, and on many occasions have experienced God's grace in very special ways there. I will leave the meaning of this first illustration to your imagination and your inquisitiveness. I have only received a brief synopsis of the thesis myself. I will tell you the subjects in this piece: To the far left are Adam(asleep) and Eve being created from his rib by God. [a copy of "The Creation of Eve" by Michelangelo] Just to their right is a child meant to represent their offspring, I'll call him Abel, as his hands are raised in prayer. [the child is copied from the figure of John the Baptist in "The Madonna of the Rocks" by Da Vinci] In the center of the image, a tree, possibly the tree of life or the tree of knowledge. Just beyond the tree to the right, the Holy family with a lamb, also a copy, though the painter's name escapes me. The cross stands at the farthest point on the horizon, emanating a faint but constant light of hope. [Cross copied from Rembrandt] The moon's position (over Eve) is, I am told, significant. I hope you enjoy the puzzle. I enjoyed drawing it!
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1 comment:

  1. Fr. Gregory Plow, T.O.R.October 29, 2007

    Praise God for the wonderful gifts He gave you in portraying this work. Very beautiful! Way to go, Dave!

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WELCOME!

I appreciate your time and your interest in my work. If you are interested in knowing more about me and my philosophy of art, please feel free to scroll to the bottom of this page. I would rather spare those who have no interest in such things from having to read about me before looking at my work. God bless you :)

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.

You will find included in this site examples of my own work, as well as links to other sites which
celebrate the arts, and especially challenge the artist to reach the fullness of his own abilities
in the service of something greater than him or his work. I hope that you will enjoy this site, and
take full advantage of its links, especially the Letter to Artists of our Holy Father (of beloved memory) John Paul II. Thank you for your comments and your consideration of this website.

David Myers