THE YEAR OF THE PRIEST: 2ND DRAWING
I am VERY happy with the way that this drawing has turned out! I hope that you will be too. I found a STUNNING photo by my friend, Paul Tomas, of a Priest who is a very dear friend and Pastor. I thought it was a great image of my friend, but I was even more profoundly moved by the universal qualities of the image. It seemed almost an icon of the priesthood, or a view into the heart of the priest. A Priest who is truly heroic in his vocation is first and foremost a man of prayer, who seeks friendship and conversation with Christ before all others. It is there that he is made ready to help all of us who thirst for "living water." One of the reasons that this image speaks to me so eloquently of this aspect of the priestly vocation is that the priest depicted is one of the most successful and dynamic pastors I know, but it is always evident that this flows from his life of prayer. Thank you to all our priests for your great vocation! Never feel guilty to spend time in prayer "when there are so many other things to do!"
This image will also be used for a friend's Ordination this Spring, and I hope it may be of some use to our local Diocese or parishes. Please contact me at davemyers1977@gmail.com for more info.
I am especially proud of the seal you see that anchors the image - the phrase in latin is "You are a Priest Forever," and is shown in the Latin Vulgate translation of that verse. The symbol in the middle is a traditional one for the "Holy Name of Jesus," and the nails and the Cross represent Christ's Sacrifice, which Priests and all Christians are called to share in. The seal took a long time to put together, but it was worth it!
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
What a Great image for the year of the priest! You do truly amazing work Dave =)
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