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

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

SECOND DRAWING OF BLESSED MIGUEL PRO, MARTYR

Finally finally finally! My first drawing in MONTHS :(

This drawing is a companion to an earlier drawing of the same subject. Blessed Miguel Pro (seen in this image kneeling in prayer before his execution by firing squad) was a martyr for the Catholic Faith in Mexico during the early 1900's. He died in 1927 after very successfully helping faithful Catholics to practice their faith in secret.

At that time in Mexico the government was militantly anti-Catholic, and this anti-Catholicism, which began when Mexico declared independence from Spain, had reached a fever pitch. Father Pro was extremely clever and even humorous in the creative ways that he eluded the authorities and made his way around the towns to say Mass. Apparently he took great enjoyment from sketching new disguises and characters he might play. (dressing like a Priest would get you jail time or worse) When an attempt was made on the life of the Mexican President, the government used this as a pretext to arrest Blessed Miguel Pro and his brother, accusing them of being involved in the plot. This was done despite the fact that the actual perpetrator, who was also captured, vehemently denied their involvement.

Blessed Miguel Pro was executed by firing squad, and his execution was meticulously photographed, including a point blank gunshot by an officer when the firing squad failed to kill this faithful priest. It was thought that the distribution of these photographs would stir up fear and weaken the Catholic rebellion. They had quite the opposite effect. In this image Blessed Miguel is shown at prayer, clutching a crucifix in one hand and a Rosary in the other. When he stood to be executed, he lifted his arms in the shape of a cross (see earlier drawing) and prayed "May God forgive you, as I do. Viva Christo Rey!" (Long Live Christ the King)

1 comment:

  1. This picture and the story of this martyred priest reminds me of the quote (by whom I cannot remember): "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church."
    I love your descriptions of each picture.

    ReplyDelete

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