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

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

BLESSED MIGUEL PRO: FIRST DRAWING

This drawing depicts the final moments of Blessed Miguel Pro, a Jesuit Priest who was martyred in Mexico during the early twentieth century. The Mexican government of the time had become vehemently anti-Catholic, and began imprisoning priests who spoke out against the government. Blessed Miguel Pro utilized disguises to make his way through the city, and in this way continued to care for the Catholics he found. He was finally arrested and was sentenced to execution on the trumped up charge that he had helped devise a plot to assassinate the Mexican President of the time. A photographer snapped photographs of the execution, including this image and another portraying Pro's final prayer on his knees before his death by firing squad. This was lucky for the Church, but not so lucky for the government. Miguel Pro's death led to a massive revitalization of the Church and the encouragement of the people's opposition to the corrupt regime. Blessed Miguel Pro is reported to have put his arms up in the shape of a cross, and (I believe) holding a Rosary. Before the soldiers fired, he cried out "Viva Christo Rey!" (Long Live Christ the King!)
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousApril 15, 2009

    David:
    You are a very talented artist!
    It is a beautiful and respectful portrait of Blessed Miguel Pro, S. J. He is also my favorite Saint,I love him! So devoted I am to him, that I make a bimonthly newsletter in his honor, so people may know more about his life and what he did for Christ. He is currently in the process of canonization, but we need one more miracle for him to be declared "SAINT". The goal of my newsletter and of many people is to make him known so people will pray to him and attribute the miracle that will bring him to the altar of Saints. Thank you for doing this wonderful art piece!
    God Bless you, Lizabeth Arias
    lepiphany_29@yahoo.com

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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