Father Price and the Shipwreck of the Rebecca Clyde in 1876
I had to come to a stopping point because the iPad was at 5% but feeling great about the potential for these illustrations of Father Price’s life. I played around with some blurring too here. At about 16 years of age Father Price was leaving for college seminary in Baltimore on board a steamer, the Rebecca Clyde, from his hometown of Wilmington, NC. Unbeknownst to all onboard, Hurricane Felipe was headed their way. The hurricane caught the vessel off of Ocracoke Inlet and tore it to pieces. Young Freddie Price was praying in his cabin so long that no life preservers were available when he got to the deck. He clung to the rail and then to the mast with other passengers, until the ship finally broke apart and flung him into the sea. Freddie never learned to swim, and was sinking. He cried out “save me Lord or I perish!” After Father Price’s death, a Bishop and former classmate of the Tarheel Apostle shared that he had been able to hear the story directly from Freddie while they were both in seminary at Saint Charles: "Keeping his head as best he could, with all his physical strength, above the furious waters, he cried again, ‘Lord Jesus, save me or I perish.' Like a flash the sky seemed to open, and out of a speck of blue came the clearest vision, as clear as he saw the howling waves about him, Mary, the Mother of Christ, appeared before his eyes. Upon her face was a smile, and, gently stretching forth her hand she pointed to a great floating plank, which had been washed overboard from the sinking ship. Strengthened superhumanly by the perfect confidence of safety, he gained the plank, pulled himself upon it, threw himself face forward upon it and grasping a great ring on its upper surface, he swung, now up, now down, in the great waves about him, feeling nothing and now and then of the vision, which would always remain indelibly imprinted on his soul. He began the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, and as he said, 'In my joy I almost sang
it.' " #fatherprice #thetarheelapostle #drawingexistedfirst #maryknoll #starofthesea
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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