Father Thomas Frederick Price: "Tarheel Apostle" and Servant of God
These drawings, taken from different points in the life of Father Thomas Frederick Price, are the first in a series of drawings honoring the life of a great North Carolinian Priest and possible saint. I intend to eventually include scenes illustrating important points in his life (A Mass said atop Mt Mitchell, a shipwreck during his youth-see text post below) and including portraits of people who figured prominently in his own vocation journey (James Cardinal Gibbons, his mother and father, Bishop Leo Haid, OSB). Father Price is a great personal hero of mine whom I have studied, written about, and drawn much inspiration from. I hope that you will enjoy learning a little bit about his life with me as I continue this work during the coming weeks. Father Price's cause for canonization is under way, and is being pursued by the Catholic Foreign Missionary Society of America, which he co-founded. Father Price was the first native North Carolinian to be ordained a priest, and was tireless in his service to people of all faiths, both in our state and in the far east. The following are texts from a book about Father Price, which I included on the back of holy cards made from two of the images above.
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
Am I the only one or does Fr. Price look a bit like Fr. Dan Oschwald?
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