ABOUT THE ARTIST

My photo
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

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

A MARRIAGE MADE MORE BEAUTIFUL BY THE CROSS

This drawing is a gift for two friends of mine, recently married, who in the first year of their marriage have had to face the terrible trial of cancer. The young husband, pictured with his lovely wife in the drawing, has the same cancer that I was treated for in 2000. My cancer, stage IV when diagnosed, had spread to my abdomen. This young man has metastasis in many other places, but he and his family are truly remarkable for their enduring faith, hope, and love in the midst of their difficult struggle against his disease.

I have been able to keep up with their story through a website that hosts his mother's journal of the family's experience of the "good fight" her son is waging. Being deeply impressed with the beauty of the family's faith, and praying with them for his complete and total healing, I felt led to complete this drawing as a tribute to a young love purified "as through fire." I can tell that his wife has truly been a rock for this young man, and I know that my own experience of this trial would have been less awful, and more sweet, if I had travelled through it with the love of my life. Love is at its best and shines clearest when it triumphs in the face of suffering, fear, and doubt. I included, as you can see, two scripture verses, one to honor the vocation of this young wife, and a second which always gave me comfort when I was sick with cancer. May they too very soon "reap with cries of joy."
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

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