If my addition is correct we currently show 41 members to SmallPax. So I thought it would be a good time to ask the membership what they would like to see from this blog. Are you a professional illustrator looking to share experiences and advice? Are you a student looking for ways to improve? do you just want to see the art that other members produce? Are you more interested in what it means to be a Catholic illustrator in a secular world? Do you come to see Catholic themed art?
This is your chance to offer your thoughts on the direction you would like to see SmallPax take.
Have a blessed Holy Week
Deacon Lawrence
13 comments:
I enjoy seeing others' art, and also appreciate getting feedback on art I might post.
Sophie
Yes, more work from Smallpax contributors/members -especially sketches and such. I enjoy that kind of thing.
What a hypocrite I am. I hardly ever post.
I just joined and have yet to post any work. I was hoping that this group served several purposes: social and professional networking, feedback for work posted, advice from those who have had more success in professional illustration, and serving common goals, such as promoting Catholic illustration. Philosophical discussion of the arts is fun too.
There are many Blogs and Websites dedicated to Illustration, painting, and the such. These are all fine and worthy of artistic merit and interest. However, since we are Catholics, I tend to think that we ought to, at least here, center our interests on art that has Christ, His Mother, the Angels and Saints and out great catholic beliefs and traditions as the purpose of what we show. Be it illustration, Comics, drawing, painting,etc: you name it - because this is the 'Catholic Illustrators Guild', we should give a Catholic outlook to all we present. Otherwise, we would call ourselves ' The Illustrators (who happen to be Catholic) Guild'. This is just a quick opinion on the question at hand and I welcome any contrary opinions.
Nothing's been posted here that I haven't found at least interesting, but it's the Christianity of the art that I'm most interested in.
While I very much agree that Catholicism and our enthusiasm about Catholicism is what defines this group, I take the approach to art that it does not have to show explicitly "Catholic" imagery for it to in fact be of Catholic origin or perspective. I consider myself a thorough Catholic, but only a certain percentage of my art contains religious imagery.
I thought the Catholic perspective on art was that we should use our talents to give praise to God's Creation, and to share in the act of creation in our own way. I think Tolkien wrote about this in his essay "On Fairy Stories." I consider Tolkien a Catholic writer, though he used mythology as his vehicle rather than write stories about saints. His writing is very Catholic, if you look for it.
I don't think anyone on here would consider that we "happen to be Catholic." For someone to first seek out, and then join this group, Catholicism must mean much more to them than happenstance.
Not meaning to sound argumentative, just joining in the debate (I enjoy philosophical, religious, artistic centered debates.)
Sonia. I think You have completley missed the meaning of what I was getting at. I never intended to suggest that anyones faith is, as you say,nothing more than 'happenstance'. The confusion here has to do with the word 'Catholic' in the title of the Blog. Is the word' Catholic' a descriptive adjective for the word 'Illustrator'? If it is, then once could say: "Hey, look over there! There are those Catholic Illustrators I was telling you about! that group of people who happen to be catholics and do Illustration.". That's what I was refering to.
I also like the idea of seeing Catholic art throughout history, and maybe writings about the lives of religious artists.
I would say that the guild is about supporting Catholic illustrators regardless of the type of work they are doing.
I would rather you post what you are working on at the moment rather then waiting until you have something that "fits"
It's a guild for Catholic illustrators, not Catholic illustration. (though of course I love to see sacred art)
Just another illustrator looking for a place to share my work where other artists hold the same importance in their faith... trying to get more into Catholic illustration, and figured this would be a great place to find community with other Catholic artists and inspire that intent... I really like this blog, one of my favorite places on the web, but I do wish more people would post! I know there are a lot of Catholic artists out there...
I agree with J.R. on keeping this blog focused on Christ and everything that leads others to Him that has to do with our beautiful Catholic faith. I can't tell you how many new Catholics I've come across that have said that the Catholic art, stained-glass windows etc.. as lead them to join our faith. Hey whatever works right?! If the word Catholic was not in the title it wouldn't matter.
Heck, I probably shouldn't say anything since I'm a painter and not an illustrator which is also in the title. oops.
Here's another idea. What about monthly themes like: The Virgin Mary, Jesus, Angels etc...There are a lot of participation blogs out there that are very successful.
Okay, that's my opinion for what it's worth. :) Have a blessed day everyone! :O) - Maggie
I know I post very little, but I think I'd put stuff up more often if our blogging template was a bit spiffier. Nothing fancy, just a little more color and maybe a nice font or picture on the header.
I think it'd be neat if the site included portfolios for each member. But maybe that's not possible...
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