The Catholic Illustrator’s Guild

Early Literacy Book

2012-01-26T11:48:00.004-05:00

I spent several months this last year working on illustrations for an Early Literacy book for Seton Press. Just last week the final printed books came in the mail and, frankly, I'm very happy with how they look! Here are a few pictures:

A good little activity book for young ones.

October Shadows by Jason Tako

2012-01-24T12:49:00.002-05:00

I did a field study of this barn last October on a beautiful sunny morning. It was actually a commission for the owner of the barn. The owner asked that I paint it from another angle, but I knew that this angle would make for a beautiful painting also, so I painted it again. www.jasontako.com.

Slumbering Julia

2012-01-11T10:47:00.002-05:00

'Tis the season for drawing sleeping children (until the Feast of the Presentation, right?). Here are a few sketches of my daughter, Julia, cross posted from my own blog:

When I was Christmas shopping this year I bought myself a couple sheets of toned paper. Because if you ask me, few things are as exciting as adding white highlights to toned paper...

The Word Incarnate

2012-01-07T17:00:00.005-05:00

Epiphany Stationery

2012-01-07T16:25:00.003-05:00

The Epiphany design for my Stationery project

and a design that was too complicated so didn't reduce well (The page size is 5.5" x 8.5" and there needs to be some room to write a letter.)

Angel Head Study

2012-01-05T17:51:00.000-05:00

I went to a men's retreat several months back and was looking forward to reading a book I had purchased, The Angels & Their Mission. I think Ted Schluenderfritz did the cover design - nice work Ted! Strangely enough, the priest at the retreat centered his talks around Angels. It went well with the book, and I remember something he said he heard while in the seminary. One of his instructors made a point while starting a talk that (paraphrasing) Angels are not our friends by definition, but spiritual allies… you have to share the same nature to be a friend. An interesting thought worth pondering. If you haven't read the book mentioned above, it is a quite good. It broadened my understanding of the relationship between God and mankind, and how it changed from the Old to the New Testament.

I finished this sketch in my notebook last night. It's colored pencil with an acrylic/watercolor wash.

Mural at Holy Spirit Church in Evansville, IN

2012-01-04T01:30:00.004-05:00

The week before Christmas I helped paint a mural in Evansville, Indiana at Holy Spirit church on the rear wall. The pace was quite intense, but very fun. The painting is acrylic with gold stenciling and wood trim. There are more pictures and information about the steps we took on my blog: http://gwynethholston.com/sacred-art-blog/

Coat of Arms of the Ordinariate of the Chair of Peter

2012-01-02T15:07:00.004-05:00

I had the incredible honour of contributing to the design development and doing the final design of the coat of arms of the U.S. Anglican Ordinariate, which was officially announced yesterday as the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Peter under the Protection of Our Lady of Walsingham.

You can learn more about it here.

Christmas Painting

2011-12-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

This was actually an acrylic painting that I finished last Christmas. I didn't think to share it until just now. Merry Christmas!

Annunciation to the Shepherds

2011-12-28T10:17:00.003-05:00

Black ink on paper. 5" x 7".

Out Little Boy by Jason Tako

2011-12-26T21:21:00.001-05:00

This was my Christmas gift for my wife. It is our son doing what he does best, having fun with the simple things in life. In this case he was digging in some gravel when we were parked on a back-road in Minnesota while I painted. 11"x14", oil on panel. www.jasontako.com

2011-12-26T13:47:00.002-05:00

How thrilling to see so many artists linking their talents to their faith. So much inspiration! Thank you for beautifying the world through your gifts!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:36:00.001-05:00

As we are sharing Christmas images, this is from a body of work in progress for LTP.

I had hoped to get actual cards printed this year but didn't quite make it, I have the design posted here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with loved ones and my prayers for a joyful Christmas to all Smallpaxers.

God Bless

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T12:00:00.000-05:00

My wife loves to write actual-non-email-stamp-n-envelope letters to a lot of friends. She sends out several letters a week. So, I decided to create liturgical stationery for her. The above image, as you might guess, is for the Christmas season.

My Christmas card this year is here. I was hoping to paint it in egg tempera, but ran out of time, so just colored the rough sketch. It probably is more lively this way anyway. Maybe I'll finish it for next year's card. (maybe I'll procrastinate until it's too late next year as well. :)

Merry Christmas to everyone in the guild, thanks for all of your wonderful posts.

Prairie Wetland in Autumn by Jason Tako

2011-12-22T19:08:00.003-05:00

This painting was inspired by the wetlands in Minnesota that I lived around as a child. I did the field study for this painting this last October, early in the morning when the sunlight bathed the golden grasses in a very warm light. I recomposed the scene both for a challenge, and to show the expanse of the prairie wetland areas in this region.
Prairie Wetland in Autumn by Jason Tako
11x14, oil on linen panel
www.jasontako.com

Merry Christmas, again!

2011-12-20T14:20:00.002-05:00

Anthony's post gave me the idea to post my drawing of the Baby Jesus, done thanks to Regina Doman's sharing of her son Caleb's photo.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-12T09:18:00.000-05:00

I've been meaning to post this drawing for two years now. I figured the closer we get to Christmas the busier everyone will be so, Merry Christmas!

RELIC

2011-12-09T18:29:00.001-05:00

This is a little something me and my brother are working on, let me know what you think?

TONSURE of ST. PETER

2011-12-01T10:03:00.002-05:00

This drawing depicts an event described in the Golden Legend, in which the pagans of Antioch mocked St. Peter by forcibly shaving the top of his head. Followers of St. Peter shaved their heads in imitation, turning a mark of shame into a mark of honor and originating the tradition of clerical tonsure. Surrounding this central scene are several events associated with tonsure in mediaeval exegetical texts: St. Paul cutting off his hair at Cenchrea; Ezekiel shearing, dividing, burning, chopping and scattering his hair to prophecy the destruction of Jerusalem; and Christ wearing the Crown of Thorns.

It was commissioned to commemorate the tonsuring of a class of seminarians of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter this past October. A signed, framed giclée print of the drawing was gifted from the class to Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, who celebrated the ceremony.

The drawing was done on goatskin. I scanned it at two stages; the above scan was made to prepare giclée prints. These prints are available for sale for $80 each. Each is signed and measures 8" x 12".

The below scan was made after I added gold and palladium leaf to the original.

www.danielmitsui.com

ILLUSTRATIONS for VOX CLARA PONTIFICAL

2011-12-01T09:59:00.002-05:00

Earlier this year, I was contacted by the Executive Secretary of the Vox Clara Committee, a Vatican committee of senior bishops from episcopal conferences throughout the English-speaking world that advises the Holy See on English-language liturgy. The Committee will publish in 2012 an interim edition of the Roman Pontifical, including new translations of certain texts drawn from the revised Roman Missal.

I was commissioned to create a series of five color illustrations for this Pontifical, depicting the Crucifixion, the Last Supper, the Presentation in the Temple, the Descent of the Holy Ghost and Christ the High Priest. The central images are surrounded by appropriate symbols and Old Testament prefigurements, and the corner scenes depict liturgical rites contained in the Pontifical.

The drawings were realized in colored inks on Bristol board, in a style heavily influenced by 15th century panel paintings, tapestries, manuscripts and incunabula. Black and white versions of two of these illustrations were also produced.

I plan to issue giclée prints of the five color drawings some time next year, and a letterpress print of the black and white Crucifixion. When I prepare the prints, I will replace the scenes that are specific to the Pontifical with other scenes or symbols.

www.danielmitsui.com

Autumn Afternoon by Jason Tako

2011-11-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

While out for a walk with my family during a late afternoon this last autumn, I was intrigued by the way the sunlight was shining on the distant mountain. I returned the next day and did a quick field study while my wife and children played in the tall grass. That field study, along with several others were used to create this painting.
Autumn Afternoon
oil on panel, 11"x14"
www.jasontako.com

Blessed Beatrice of Nazareth

2011-11-28T19:28:00.000-05:00

Here's the finished portrait of Bl. Beatrice of Nazareth, a Cistercian mystic. It is 25 x 29" oil on canvas. You can see the steps I went through on my blog http://gwynethholston.com/blessed-beatrice-of-nazareth/. It turns out that fire is hard to paint. Who knew?

One more drawing from Genesis

2011-11-22T01:05:00.001-05:00

ABRAHAM AND ISAAC

I am immensely enjoying doing these line drawings for my class.

Abraham has been called by God to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, and here they are traveling toward the site God has shown Abraham. Isaac only knows that they are going to make a sacrifice.
Abraham has so much trust in God that he is willing to do whatever God asks, no matter that it doesn't make sense. Isaac trusts his father. Later of course, God tells Abraham to spare his son, and to sacrifice a ram instead.

Another illustration from Genesis

2011-11-17T11:55:00.002-05:00

THE ANGELS URGE LOT AND HIS FAMILY TO FLEE BEFORE SODOM IS DESTROYED

God visits Abraham

2011-11-07T12:20:00.004-05:00

I teach a weekly sixth grade religious education class in which we study the Old Testament. In my class we use the Bible as our textbook, plus some supplimentary materials designed to help the kids identify a little better with people who lived in a culture VERY different from ours. Recently I have begun to illustrate some of the stories.
Yesterday we had a lively session on the subject of Hospitality: how Abraham gave the best that he had to three strangers who came to visit, and one of the visitors turned out to be the Lord himself.

I used to do a lot of pen and ink drawings, but in my urgency to learn color, had put aside line drawing for a while. But they are useful as well.

Madonna and Child

2011-11-04T18:03:00.002-05:00

After three years in waiting, I finally cast the Madonna and Child I sculpted while in Italy. It didn't emerge from the mold perfectly, but I learned a lot, which I'm sure I'll take into future sculptural projects. There are several more pictures of the process on my blog. You can take a look here.

John Paul II's Cross

2011-11-02T08:45:00.003-05:00

Here's a recent commission. Black in and a brush.

The original crucifix was designed by an artist named Leo Scorzelli. You can read more about him here.

Happy Feast of All Saints!

2011-11-01T23:17:00.005-05:00

"While the rest of society is taking down their fake cobwebs, putting up their Thanksgiving decorations, and wishing they hadn't eaten so many Milk Duds, we Catholics get together and celebrate the real living dead."

The last stand

2011-10-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

Just finished this cover for a new graphic novel

Where the Buffalo Roam by Jason Tako

2011-10-24T11:56:00.001-05:00

This painting was inspired by our trip to Wyoming this last summer. The northeastern part of Yellowstone is very mountainous, and there were bison here and there on the flat areas. I composed this scene using my small field studies (done in oil, and in the rain) and photo references. I wanted to give the feel of massive mountains and space. The incredible feeling you get when your out West.
Where the Buffalo Roam
Oil on linen, 24"x36"

CFAI Award

2011-10-19T08:20:00.003-05:00

My painting Tarnished Silver won Best of Show at Contemporary Fine Art International's Fall Show. I did this painting from life in my studio. It was 11x14, oil on linen panel.

Guardian Angel

2011-10-14T13:20:00.000-05:00

A while ago I posted this as a work in progress, it's getting closer to a point that I'm happy with.

New Illustration

2011-10-13T17:31:00.000-05:00

This is the beginning of a series of illustrations I hope will move my portfolio in a new direction. Although there is no title for it, I kept thinking of Strength, Chivalry, Knowledge, and Fortitude. It's oil on board 17" by 9 1/2".

donate!

2011-10-11T04:39:00.002-05:00

We have a few costs associated with running the site that it would be great to get some help with. Please use the donate button on the sidebar and donate a buck or two. If every member donates even $2 it would cover our cost for quite a while. Thank you!

Copy of Stokes' Madonna and Child

2011-10-06T12:35:00.004-05:00

I just finished a copy of a Madonna and Child by Marianne Stokes. Here it is!

Saint Francis in Prayer

2011-10-04T21:07:00.003-05:00

Dimetrodon VS Gorgosaurus

2011-09-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

I Finally finished it!

Hello!

2011-09-28T23:43:00.008-05:00

My name is Gaelen Mibeck, and I can't describe how cool it is to be posting to a blog that I've been following for the past 9 months.

A little bit about myself:
I'm a Catholic Homeschooler working on High School(I'm currently a Junior). My prospects include illustration, animation and sequential storytelling, with a focus on children's entertainment (I consider Winnie the Pooh, Madeline, and Curious George to be some of my main inspiration).

What I like to draw:
Everything from Giant Robots to Edwardian Gents. I have a few G.K. Chesterton-related illustration projects I'm hoping to work on.

At any rate, I'm very exited to be posting alongside my favorite artists! I readily welcome constructive criticism and advice.

I have a blog.

Maggie

2011-09-27T14:02:00.002-05:00

Oil on canvas portrait of my second cousin, based on a photo I took this Summer. She's getting married soon and I intend to send it as a surprise gift.

Happy Birthday Hobbits!

2011-09-23T10:20:00.002-05:00

First, thanks to the Catholic Illustrator's Guild for my acceptance! That quite made my morning.

My name is Mary Sullivan, I am an artist/illustrator in the making (hopefully), and here is my blog.

Yesterday, Sept. 22nd, was Mr. Bilbo and Frodo's birthday! A bit of celebration is called for. I myself found a bit of time to watch the Fellowship of the Ring, and draw a little before work.

'You mean to go on with your plan then?
'I do. I made up my mind months ago, and I haven't changed it.'

It is based on this:

Inside Bag End, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting at the open window of a small room looking out west on to the garden. The late afternoon was bright and peaceful. The flowers glowed red and golden: snapdragons and sunflowers, and nasturtians trailing over the turf walls and peeping in at the round windows.
   'How bright your garden looks!' said Gandalf.
   'Yes," said Bilbo. 'I am very fond indeed of it, and of all the dear old Shire; but I think I need a holiday."
   'You mean to go on with your plan then?'
   'I do. I made up my mind months ago, and I haven't changed it.'
   'Very well. It is no good saying any more. Stick to you plan-- your whole plan, mind -- and I hope it will turn out for the best, for you, and for all of us.
   'I hope so. Anyway I mean to enjoy myself on Thursday, and have my little joke.'
   'Who will laugh, I wonder?' said Gandalf, shaking his head.
   'We shall see,' said Bilbo.

Happy Belated Hobbit Day everyone!

A Christmas Card idea

2011-09-03T20:07:00.002-05:00

Just thinking ahead. This year, maybe something with my favorite saint, St. Francis. After all, he was the one who started the Christmas Creche (Christmas crib) tradition when he decided to do a live Christmas setting outside the town of Greccio. It is written that as he gave the sermon (He was a deacon) a babe appeared in his arms.

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons

2011-08-29T13:29:00.000-05:00

or, How I spent (part of) my weekend.

Gorgosaurus VS Dimetrodon

2011-08-28T09:42:00.000-05:00

A little something I'm working on.

A Narnian Diversion II

2011-08-17T12:28:00.000-05:00

Fledge from the "Magician's Nephew"

Abandoned-Jason Tako

2011-08-12T20:38:00.003-05:00

I created this painting "en plein air" (outdoors on the spot) during Plein Air Easton this last July. It was incredibly hot when I painted it over a span of about 2.5 hours. It won the Best Architectural Painting Award at Plein Air Easton.
Jason Tako
www.jasontako.com

August 10 - St. Lawrence

2011-08-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

A Narnian diversion

2011-08-02T12:51:00.000-05:00

July 29 Saint Martha

2011-07-29T12:47:00.000-05:00

July 22 Saint Mary Magdalene

2011-07-22T13:30:00.000-05:00

White Stone Gallery

2011-07-19T12:19:00.000-05:00

According to the curator of the Art+Faith exhibit to be held at World Youth Day, "White Stone Gallery is the most important Christian gallery in the U.S.."
I'm sure that is true if by U.S. he means the New York/Los Angeles "fine art" world. The gallery definitely takes a modern art approach to Christian art.
But for the sake of those who dream of making it big as a contemporary Christian artist, this appears to be the place to be.
http://www.whitestonegallery.com/

The Woman at the well

2011-07-14T17:09:00.000-05:00

I know that her jar is much too big for her to carry back full of water. I did it that way initially because I wanted her to be leaning on it. But thinking about it afterwards, I thought that often the things we carry around with us that we don't want to let go of are too big, and turn out to be burdens that grind us down. Jesus said, "Come to me, you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Angelic Twaddle Comics and Illustrations

2011-07-12T19:08:00.009-05:00

Hello my name is Louis Hall, in my day job I'm a Marketing Creative Director for a global company, my wife and I have 6 children (a good Catholic family!) and in the time remaining I'm an artist/illustrator. I'm a native of Minnesota and graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in Studio Art and completed undergraduate art studies at St. John's University, MN. Most recently my kids and I started this comic series we call Angelic Twaddle Comics, which is featured at CatholicLane. We try to present the deep truths of our faith through some wacky humor.

Here are a couple more websites that I'm responsible for. My blog on creativity and Design, Conceived Design My art website, fidostick.com

I look forward to reading/learning more about this website and the contributions of its members.

Happy St. Benedict Day

2011-07-11T17:11:00.002-05:00

I had hopes of having a drawing of Benedict done by today, but it was not to be. I did finish another comic about the desert fathers/mothers and since they were the inspiration for Benedict's Rule, I though it was still fitting to post this today.

Official Google Webmaster Central Blog: More guidance on building high-quality sites

2011-06-30T11:33:00.001-05:00

Illustrator wanted...

2011-06-17T12:30:00.000-05:00

**************************

This September, Partridge Hill Media will introduce an all new magazine for Catholic homeschoolers. The Catholic Home Educator does not espouse any one method of homeschooling, but rather the common goal of all Catholic homeschoolers, which is to raise saints.

CHE is in need of a logo which illustrates Catholic education at home. Interested artists should contact Nissa Gadbois nissa@partridgehillmedia.com

Additionally, we are considering running a monthly comic strip geared to homeschooling. If you have an interest in working with us to develop such a project, please contact Nissa at the same email address with the subject line "CHE Comic".

The Catholic Home Educator will be published monthly as an ePub available on a range of eReaders. Highlights of content will be available on our website. If you should wish writer's guidelines, you may request them at the above email address.

**************************

introduction for 12 year old Kelly

2011-06-16T12:48:00.000-05:00

Hello!
My name is Kelly and I will be 13 in November.

When I was in Kindergarten, I was very unapproachable and stubborn. I cried. a lot. On my first day of school, my teacher suggested that we all draw self-portraits. Though all the other kids had A LOT of fun doing so, I tried and tried to make my drawing as good as something my older sister would draw, and failed. I cried and cried and even said the “s” word (”stupid”). What can I say? I was a Kindergarten rebel. I vowed never to draw again. But how could I do THAT?!? As weeks followed, although I remained unmanageable, I began to draw. In fact, the classroom was suddenly covered in my drawings. Yes, THAT is where I got my start.

I now draw everywhere,
on everything and all the time.

When I’m not doing so, I’m probably being pestered by one of my four other siblings or my crazy Dad.
(Sorry, Dad.)

I recently started drawing comics with characters of my own. My favorites are the ones I do about what my baby brother Adam does when no one is looking... like cooking, sky-diving, teaching spanish to the elderly (even though he can’t really talk yet)
and looking for a job.

I hope one day to be a famous artist...
but for now, I’d just like to show you some of my work.
Sincerely,
Kelly

Check out Kelly's first animated movie "Adam-ation" and her introduction to Kelly Comics on our family blog called Equipping Catholic Families.
Kelly's got her own facebook page too.
Watch for Kelly's comic strips in upcoming issues of Faith & Family magazine!

St. Anthony of Padua Holy Card

2011-06-15T17:35:00.000-05:00

A dear friend of mine celebrated the Sacrament of Matrimony on May 28th and graciously asked me to come up with a holy card the couple could distribute at the reception.

St. Ann commission

2011-06-14T13:41:00.001-05:00

Some great work posted here lately. Welcome Leo and Gina.

My latest, a commission for St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Morganfield KY.

Work in Progress

2011-06-13T20:59:00.003-05:00

Stations of the Cross. 5"x7" each. Colored ink and gold leaf on goatskin.

2011-06-13T20:18:00.005-05:00

Greetings!

My name is Leo Winstead and I'm an illustrator and teacher in the Twin Cities metro area. I have been creating religious art for the last 15 years and I am continually inspired by the legacy of art that has helped to inform our Catholic identity. I am honored and humbled to be part of a community of artists who express their faith through the visual arts. I've attached a couple gouache paintings depicting the Ascenscion and Pentecost. Enjoy!

Illustrator wanted...

2011-06-13T14:12:00.000-05:00

Eternal Revolution is looking for an illustrator for their Uncle Chestnut children's series about a modern, fictional character based on Chesterton. Right now one book is published, but the series will be "re-booted" with the new illustrating partner.

The Uncle Chestnut character we create will also be featured on merchandise including t-shirts and our Mensa Select award winning game, Uncle Chestnut's Table Gype.

If you are interested, please send samples and rate information to Paul Nowak at wordsmith@eternalrevolution.com

Lord of the Rings sketches

2011-06-07T18:30:00.002-05:00

If I'm not mistaken, there are some Tolkien fans here. Hope you like these interpretations. The dwarf is Thorin and the Troll drawings are from The Hobbit. I had posted these some time ago on my blog, and forgot about them. Just for fun.

I've always thought it would be neat to see classical style paintings from various parts of the trilogy (much like those of the French academies in the late nineteenth century). Traditionally they always have such an old timeless feel, I felt it would make an interesting marriage of story and image. Most imagery you see today has a movie-Hollywood feel… which is good in it's own way, but…

Newbie

2011-06-02T21:50:00.007-05:00

Hi I'm a newbie here and so grateful to have found this blog.

My name is Gina. I spent a few days perusing some incredible websites from this blog, and am overwhelmed. It's heartening to know there are Catholics out there who love and create art that is beautiful.

When I was young, I dreamed of painting in Churches. I started studying art in college but marriage to a military man changed that course. Between moves and raising our little family, I continued to take studio classes and dream. After our boys were in college, I switched from art and graduated with a degree in Theology. I'm not painting in churches like my childhood dreams, but my work does revolve around religious themes, often at the request of one of our priests. I am currently working on a series of 16 plaques of Dominican Saints for the convent at our elementary school.

Here are a few samples. St. Peter is a drawing. The Blessed Mother is painted acrylic glazes. The last is our son, Nick, done in encaustic, a medium that I just started to play with and really love...

The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

2011-06-02T13:32:00.003-05:00

Based on Orthodox imagery, read more about the meaning here.

Gran Torino

2011-06-02T06:00:00.004-05:00

I forgot to post this the other day, but here's my take on Gran Torino.

The Picture of Dorian Grey (1945 film)

2011-06-01T09:28:00.003-05:00

New Bookplates

2011-05-30T23:26:00.001-05:00

Wait Until Dark

2011-05-28T16:46:00.001-05:00

Here's my Gilbert Magazine's Annual Summer Film Festival submission for Wait Until Dark. Intense movie. I liked it!

Super Obvious Secrets That I Wish They’d Teach In Art School

2011-05-27T11:37:00.000-05:00

I came across this post on illustrator Phil McAndrew's blog and immediately thought of Mary's question about getting started as an illustrator. Perhaps others will also find it helpful.

another Sweeney Todd

2011-05-21T22:48:00.005-05:00

For the Gilbert Magazine film festival; I know Grant has already done this one, but Ted said it was all right, to give them various style options (and it's the only one of the movies I know anything about.)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr Hyde

2011-05-21T20:42:00.002-05:00

My submission for the Gilbert's Magazine Annual Summer Film Festival - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde!

Sweeney Todd

2011-05-18T18:36:00.000-05:00

I decided to try my hand at another Film Festival Submission. This one is for Sweeney Todd.

Sculpture in the New Edition of Dappled Things

2011-05-16T12:31:00.006-05:00

The new issue of Dappled Things features some amazing sculptures by Andrew Wilson Smith that will no doubt interest Guild members and fans. There is also an interview of the sculptor conducted by Matthew Alderman, which includes bits like the following:

In my mind the idea of tradition incorporates the concept of a contract in which our ancestors, ourselves, and our descendants are obliged to keep one another’s interests in mind as we manipulate our surroundings.

A good example of this contract is found in a stonemasons’ tradition, in which the current generation of masons starts the process of preparing lime-mortar for their sons’ use twenty years in the future, and at the same time make use of the mortar prepared by their own fathers. This understanding of tradition can be applied to all aspects of life, but I can think of at least a few examples of its application in my own life and career as a sculptor. I have had several opportunities over the years to learn artistic technique from masters who gained very little for their pains. The artists who did this for me had received similar gifts in their youth, and I am thus obliged to pass along what I have learned and thereby continue the chain into the future.

Another example will help us distinguish this kind of approach to tradition from the ideas current in the world of contemporary art and design. Modern art movements are disdainful of monuments, and especially a monument to the achievements of an individual. Three things breed this repulsion: the individual being represented is old, dead, and it’s not me!

Enjoy!

I Walked With a Zombie

2011-05-16T10:45:00.000-05:00

My submission for the Gilbert Magazine Film Festival

Suscipe

2011-05-16T09:40:00.003-05:00

Hello! Yes, I know it has been awhile since I posted some artwork. But, here is one finally! I just got married and this was a piece of art I did as a wedding favor for our guests. There is a lot packed in here. The figure in the center is one of the monks of Clear Creek monastery saying his final vows. The chant which he repeats three times is written below. His arms are extended in imitation of our Lord on the cross. The monks and their prayers are channels of grace to us the faithful who are recipients of their prayers, and we can look to the monks as examples and repeat with them the same prayer ... Receive me O Lord according to your word and shall live, and do not permit that I fall from my hope. This is pen and ink on paper, with colors added in photoshop.

Photo of a solemn profession

Here is a picture from the wedding --- I have a new last name! Still getting used to being called Mrs. Harrison :-)

Gilbert Magzine's Annual Summertime Film Festival

2011-05-10T10:07:00.004-05:00

It's that time once again, and as has become tradition, we are late in calling for submissions. So, if you have time and can make the May 30th deadline (yes, I know only 2 weeks!) here is the list of movies we are doing this time.

Sweeny Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
The Corner (2000)
Dorian Gray (1945)
Gran Torino (2008)
I walked with a Zombie (1943)
Jekyll and Hyde (1932)
The Orphanage (2007)
Wait until Dark (1967)
Winter's Bone (2010

As usual submitted artwork will be judged by the editors. Winners will be published in the Festival issue and receive the warm fuzzy feeling one gets when one helps out the best magazine on the planet. The best of show winner will also receive a years subscription of Gilbert Magazine. All entries will be published on the blog with a link to your website or email address.

Technical Specifications:
size: approximately quarter page
format: 300 dpi jpg for Grey scale; 1200 dpi jpg for black/white bitmap
(no compression on jpg please)

Please email me if you would like to submit an entry. tell me which movie you want to illustrate.

THANKS!

UPDATE: we added a new movie (Sweeny Todd) and moved the deadline to the 30th

The Future of Children's Books?

2011-05-04T10:54:00.000-05:00

Very interesting article with a collection of short looks at interactive children's books.

See the article and the rest of the samples here.
As with everything else what it means to be an illustrator, particularly for children's books, is changing. But I can totally see spacegirl Zita in an app like this.
Ben? Are you listening?

Plea from a wannabe

2011-04-27T14:56:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone. I've posted a few things, but don't think I'm very well-known here... Anyway, I'm a university senior, about to graduate with a B.A. in Theology. I minored in Studio Arts with a concentration in figure drawing, and I have been drawing all my life. I want to become a professional illustrator and religious artist. Since many of you are professionals, I would appreciate knowing how you started out and what advice you might have: practical things like getting an agent or not, submitting one's portfolio to people, making contacts, approaching publishers, how this business works. Please tell me your stories!

Thank you!

Pesky Demon

2011-04-20T21:24:00.000-05:00

Here's a piece of a page I'm working on for another Desert Fathers comic. In this story there was a particularly pesky demon trying to tempt a monk.

Vision 18.1

2011-04-19T16:31:00.000-05:00

I don't think I have posted in three or four years. In the meantime, I have been looking at a lot of Coptic textiles and reading the Saying of the Desert Fathers. I made this comic based on one of the anecdotes in the book.

I have it collected in a mini comic along with some other short comics I've made over the years. You can get one here for $3!

I am new here.

2011-04-14T19:07:00.010-05:00

My name is Vicki Sheridan.

Thank you for letting me join this group.

Whenever I read a psalm that says something like, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord," or, "Play loudly with all your skill," I believe that--because I am not very musical--I am being called to draw or paint with all my skill. That realization has come late. I am a mother and grandmother who has some God-given talents which I did not adequately nurture. I thought they were MINE, to use for my interests. It didn't occur to me until about 2005, when I saw the film Andre Rublev, that my talents were given to me to use for God. In the movie, someone says to Rublev, "God has given you a talent; it is a sin not to use it." That struck me.

Then, the following year I was struck again. My son Seth Fisher was a comic book artist. He had art skill also, but unlike me, he worked and worked it, making it better and better, and did truly beautiful work. Then in January of 2006 he was killed in an accidental fall.

After that, somehow it seemed to me that I needed to take up art in a serious way, to work at it and make it into something that I can truly use to make a joyful noise to the Lord. My interest has always been illustration. I would dearly love to illustrate children's books. But it's only recently that I have started doing work in color. So I have a lot to learn about using color. I have drawn a book of the Nativity story, and had it rejected once. I haven't given up, but I have some other projects in mind, and with limited time, I have shelved the Nativity book for a little while. I am posting a couple of pictures from it here.

I have a long way to go, but I am willing to keep working at it.

The Pietà

2011-04-13T21:26:00.000-05:00

Guards at the Tomb of Christ

2011-04-05T22:28:00.001-05:00

With Holy Week soon to arrive I thought I would post a drawing of two guards warming themselves at the tomb of Christ as they stand watch. They have no idea what they are in for.

Illustrators Wanted

2011-03-30T15:02:00.000-05:00

Pictorical is new venture in electronic publishing. From what I can tell they publish "Classic Books," which I take to mean books that are in the public domain, and invite artists to illustrate them. They then sell the books online for .99 cent each and the artist receives half the proceeds from the sale.
I'm always wary of "crowdsourcing" illustration work but this one at least provides conditions for payment (basically people have to buy the ebook.)
It sounds worth checking out, sign up here:
http://pictorical.com/apply/eb6d0

St. Francis by Caravaggio sketch

2011-03-28T23:26:00.002-05:00

Quick sketch copying The Stigmatization of St. Francis by Caravaggio.

New Drawing

2011-03-28T07:40:00.003-05:00

The Resurrection. 5"x7", black ink on paper. The original is for sale for $400.

Christ steps from the open tomb with his right foot, raising his hand in blessing and carrying a triumphal banner. Angels bearing torches and censers surround him, while the soldiers of the guard sleep. Flanking this image are pictures of the Descent into Limbo and of Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene.

In the corners are four animals associated with the Resurrection in mediaeval bestiaries: a lion (which raises his cubs from the dead after three days); a pelican (which feeds it chicks with blood from a self-inflicted wound); a phoenix (which rises from its own ashes); and a whale vomiting the prophet Jonah (As Jonah was in the whale's belly three days and three nights: so shall the Son of man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.).

The Latin text is from a Paschal sequence by Adam of St. Victor:

Lux illuxit Dominica,
Lux insignis, lux unica,
Lux lucis et laetitiae,
Lux immortalis gloriae.

Diem mundi conditio.
Commendat ab initio,
Quam Christi resurrectio.
Ditavit privilegio.

The Lord's own day hath poured its rays,
That glorious light, the day of days;
The light of light and joy, the day
Whose glory passeth not away.

This day the world's foundations laid
Distinguish, since the world was made;
On which Christ's rising from the dead
Hath new peculiar glory shed.

The drawing is the basis for a greeting card I just issued, appropriate for Easter, and for religious occasions in general. The card is 5"x7", blank inside, printed on thick beige cardstock with sepia colored ink. Each is individually signed on the back. I am selling them for $5 each, with discounts available for large orders or retailers. See here for more information.

Letterpress printing was used for this project. Because the ink is impressed into the paper from a copper plate, the image on the card has a textured surface and greater visual definition. Letterpress printing, which requires considerable craftsmanship, nearly disappeared in the early 20th century, but has been revived by artisan presses in recent decades.

Bishop Machebeuf

2011-03-25T14:36:00.005-05:00

Just finished a small commission of Bishop Machebeuf. Oil painting on gold leaf is a bit too slippery for me, but I like the depth that comes from layering opaque and translucent paint.

Jason Tako oil painting-Waiting for his return

2011-03-23T19:04:00.003-05:00

This is a painting of my beautiful wife. Its oil on linen, 24"x18". We went out to a wooded area during autumn and I did a small oil sketch and then took multiple photos of her in different poses. Back in the studio, I created this painting using the photos and the sketch. It was in a gallery for a while and it almost sold, but I ended up taking it home. It now hangs in my studio. It is hard to give up such God-given beauty. More of my work can be viewed at www.jasontako.com. I know a couple people have tried to contact me via commenting. My email is luke_tako@yahoo.com. God bless!

New Drawing

2011-03-23T15:02:00.002-05:00

This picture of the Maid of Orleans was drawn on commission. The materials are colored inks and gold leaf on goatskin parchment, cut to 10" x 8".

The central image, with its equestrian portrait of St. Joan, is inspired by several sources, John Duncan's 1896 painting Jehanne d'Arc et sa Garde Ecossaise being the most obvious.

St. Joan's banner is drawn according to contemporary descriptions, with Christ in Majesty holding an orb, flanked by two angels, one holding a lily and one holding a sword; the words Jhesus Maria; and fleurs-de-lis.

In the corners are depicted the Blessed Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, and St. Joan's three guiding voices: St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandia and St. Margaret of Antioch. These are based on drawings in illuminated Books of Hours from the late Middle Ages.

The text written around the border is excerpted from the Ditie de Jehanne d'Arc, a poem written by by Christine de Pisan in 1429, about a year before St. Joan's capture:

Tu, Jehanne, de bonne heure née,
Benoist soit cil qui te créa!
Pucelle de Dieu ordonnée,
En qui le Saint Esprit réa
Sa grant grace, en qui ot et a
Toute largesse de hault don,
N'onc requeste ne te véa.
Qui te rendra assez guerdon?

Blessed be He who created you, Joan, who were born at a propitious hour! Maiden sent from God, into whom the Holy Spirit poured His great grace, in Whom there was and is an abundance of noble gifts, never did Providence refuse you any request. Who can ever begin to repay you?

Signed giclée art prints are available for $80 plus packing and postage. These are printed on heavy rag paper, at actual size. The same print with hand-applied gold leaf costs $180.

Acorn Teacup

2011-03-22T21:05:00.004-05:00

Last summer at my family's cabin the mice had stored acorns in every container they could get at, including this teacup. I drew this to commemorate it, and recently painted it with inks.

Rockin' out

2011-03-19T22:00:00.002-05:00

Good Saint Joseph

2011-03-19T21:02:00.000-05:00

Queen of Heaven - sketch page

2011-03-11T21:44:00.004-05:00

Update (3/22/11): Here is a small painted head study done from the sketch. To speed up the process, I painted my first layers in acrylic and then came back over it in oils for the final coat. I've heard this is not wise since over time (hundreds of years) the oil may flake off, being too thin.

I pulled out the ole 9B pencil for this sketch. Kinda scary at first when you see those dark pencil marks being put on the page, but I needed the contrast for the skin tones.

Saints Perpetua and Felicity

2011-03-07T12:50:00.001-05:00

Congratulations Matt!!

2011-03-06T21:06:00.000-05:00

I was researching editions of the Roman Missal, 3rd edition, for our parish and was pleasantly surprised to recognize the artist (or at least one of them) in LTP's publication.

Way to go Matt!

The Slyder Farm by Jason Tako

2011-03-05T11:19:00.002-05:00

This is my latest painting I'm calling "The Slyder Farm." The John Slyder Farm is down from Devil's Den on the west side of Little Round Top in Gettysburg National Park. John Slyder purchased it in 1849 when he moved up from Maryland. During the Battle of Gettysburg, on July 2nd, 1863, General Hood's Confederate division moved across the farm on their way to Devil's Den and Little Round Top. There they were driven back down the hill by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's famous bayonet charge. The Farm became a field hospital for Confederate Troops. Two months later John Slyder sold the farm and moved to Ohio.

New Member

2011-03-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

What a fine group of illustrators on this blog! I am happy to join you. My name is Gwyneth. I am a Catholic artist from Denver, Colorado and a recent graduate from art school. I have been working with gold leaf and oil paint lately to create a series of paintings. The image shown is one of St. Isabel of Portugal. Now I am growing more and more interested in medieval illuminated manuscripts. I'm so glad to find others (far more experienced than myself) working in this vein. My website is www.gwynethholston.com

New Drawing

2011-02-28T16:00:00.001-05:00

This drawing was was made with colored inks and gold leaf on Bristol Board. The central image of Mary and the child Jesus was based on a 12th century Sicilian illuminated manuscript. The decorative elements were based on 19th century art from both England and Japan.

New Drawings

2011-02-24T12:36:00.001-05:00

Two ink drawings, each made to commemorate the birth and baptism of a new baby.

Chesterton Fans

2011-02-23T13:12:00.001-05:00

any guesses?