Current Project: Father Thomas Frederick Price, The Tarheel Apostle
It’s been a long time since I have posted, and I hope to remedy that. Much of my work of the past several years is available for review on my instagram dmyers1977 for those who are interested.
I am spending my Lent this year re-familiarizing myself with The Tarheel Apostle, Father Thomas Frederick Price, the first native-borne North Carolinian to be ordained a Catholic priest, and co-founder of the first Catholic foreign missionary society, Maryknoll. God willing, he will one day be recognized as a saint. In any case, his story yields inspiration and edification with every reading.
This is the rough draft of the first of what I hope will be many illustrations of scenes from the life of Father Price. I’m making these to go with some reflections on the virtues of the Tarheel Apostle. This illustration is from a reported exchange between Bishop Leo Haid and Father Price. The reflection is on the reckless generosity of Father Price. He came to Raleigh to found a school for Catholic missionaries, but immediately found that Raleigh had many children living in the streets. He is said to have told a fellow priest “I will have an orphanage.” He repeated that refrain to every pragmatic objection raised by his fellow priest. Bishop Haid is said to have often asked Fr Price where he would find the funds for his various ambitious projects, and Father Price’s reply was always the same. He trusted that if it was the work of God it could not fail. From this aspect of his character, I am reminded that there are good things we are called to say yes to on impulse, with reckless generosity, because they are good, without overmuch concern for the practical means by which they will be carried out over time. I am pursuing this work because I have always wanted other NC Catholics to know more about Fr Price, and whether he is eventually canonized a Saint or not, his story is worth knowing and gaining from. The story of a good person, a heroic person, encourages those who read it to “go and do likewise.” #drawingexistedfirst #thetarheelapostle #fatherthomasfrederickprice #maryknoll
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
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