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InLight247
Guest
I hope and pray that with medicine and God’s help, your depression will go away soon. Once you get better, you can re-pick up your pencil and pen. Your God given talents will never be lost. Keep in mind there is always hope in Jesus. Read Psalms. There are many comforting and uplifting passages.
God bless!
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reen12
Guest
quote: Ghoti
I have had depression from childhood, and experienced
a severe depression, that lasted 3 years - 13 years ago.
Please let me offer words of assurance, that one day -
interest, in expressing, does return. At least I found it so.
In the days of severe depression, I had a hard time getting
together a piece of paper and a pen to make a grocery list.
Each day was endless.
It was exhausting, just trying to get done the minimum
that needed to be done.
When told that this would, eventually, pass -
I simply did not believe this. Yet this did happen,
very slowly, like a crocus coming up through March snows.
Very gradually, I re-engaged with life, again - a thing
that I thought impossible.
The rekindling of a slight interest in life.
Just the slighest bit of interest, at first. Hardly noticeable,
but it was happening.
I did the drawings, that I posted to this thread tonight,
using Corel Photo House, Corel Print House and the
Window Paint program. I found a facility in drawing
that had never been there, using pen and paper.
The two drawings represent the suffering that
this depression caused me, and it is still is with me -
yet to a lesser extent.
I ask God to be with you, Ghoti.
I am now in my early 60’s, so I can identify
with a reference to 40 years ago.
reen12
Dear Ghoti,
I have had depression from childhood, and experienced
a severe depression, that lasted 3 years - 13 years ago.
Please let me offer words of assurance, that one day -
interest, in expressing, does return. At least I found it so.
In the days of severe depression, I had a hard time getting
together a piece of paper and a pen to make a grocery list.
Each day was endless.
It was exhausting, just trying to get done the minimum
that needed to be done.
When told that this would, eventually, pass -
I simply did not believe this. Yet this did happen,
very slowly, like a crocus coming up through March snows.
Very gradually, I re-engaged with life, again - a thing
that I thought impossible.
The rekindling of a slight interest in life.
Just the slighest bit of interest, at first. Hardly noticeable,
but it was happening.
I did the drawings, that I posted to this thread tonight,
using Corel Photo House, Corel Print House and the
Window Paint program. I found a facility in drawing
that had never been there, using pen and paper.
The two drawings represent the suffering that
this depression caused me, and it is still is with me -
yet to a lesser extent.
I ask God to be with you, Ghoti.
I am now in my early 60’s, so I can identify
with a reference to 40 years ago.
reen12
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Ghoti
Guest
Sorry, iona_scribe, not trying to hijack your thread! 
reen12 and InLight247, thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I was just in a bit of a downer yesterday (over my cat – another thread), and got a bit whiny, I think, over what I don’t have, rather than over what I *do *have.
So, nuff said over me and this situation – if I weigh in again, it will be over the stuff I have done. I’m going to look over my portfolio and see if I have anything to contrib.
Ta.
reen12 and InLight247, thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I was just in a bit of a downer yesterday (over my cat – another thread), and got a bit whiny, I think, over what I don’t have, rather than over what I *do *have.
So, nuff said over me and this situation – if I weigh in again, it will be over the stuff I have done. I’m going to look over my portfolio and see if I have anything to contrib.
Ta.
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LaLucia
Guest
Hi Iona, I didn’t have any training as a painter but in 1996 I started painting our Blessed Mother and did many paintings. I look at back and I am amazed at how good they look.
One afternoon, I decided to paint our Blessed Mother with our Lord Jesus in her arms. I kept on painting until it was finished at 6a.m. in the morning. I was amazed that I had spent all those hours painting. It came out beautiful so I painted another larger sized painting for Pope John Paul 11. I personally took it to the Vatican and handed the painting over to the American Priests that were there in his office. The Pope was ill that day and was very happy to receive my painting. He wrote me a personal letter dated May 1996. I am really proud of having on of my paintings in the Vatican.
I come from a family of artists. My 10yr.old grandson loves to paint with all types of mediums. I plan to keep encouraging him to keep on painting so he can get a college scholarship to a University when he is ready for college. He has already won first place in a art contest at his school.
UCLA counselors in the Art and Graphic Design school state that a person either has the ability or doesn’t have it. They can tell by looking at the students art works and tell if they have potential.
They gave me this information a long time ago when I used to work there as a student counselor.
They say that if you set a time everyday to paint or do something creative… the creative angels show up to help to inspire you.
I believe that to be true. Just call on the creative angels to be with you when you start to do something creative.
Presently… I am into re-designing clothes. I can look at a blouse and I can see how to re-design it. I enjoy doing that.
It is going to be so much fun seeing my grandson become a great artist… even if it is just for fun and not a career.
One afternoon, I decided to paint our Blessed Mother with our Lord Jesus in her arms. I kept on painting until it was finished at 6a.m. in the morning. I was amazed that I had spent all those hours painting. It came out beautiful so I painted another larger sized painting for Pope John Paul 11. I personally took it to the Vatican and handed the painting over to the American Priests that were there in his office. The Pope was ill that day and was very happy to receive my painting. He wrote me a personal letter dated May 1996. I am really proud of having on of my paintings in the Vatican.
I come from a family of artists. My 10yr.old grandson loves to paint with all types of mediums. I plan to keep encouraging him to keep on painting so he can get a college scholarship to a University when he is ready for college. He has already won first place in a art contest at his school.
UCLA counselors in the Art and Graphic Design school state that a person either has the ability or doesn’t have it. They can tell by looking at the students art works and tell if they have potential.
They gave me this information a long time ago when I used to work there as a student counselor.
They say that if you set a time everyday to paint or do something creative… the creative angels show up to help to inspire you.
I believe that to be true. Just call on the creative angels to be with you when you start to do something creative.
Presently… I am into re-designing clothes. I can look at a blouse and I can see how to re-design it. I enjoy doing that.
It is going to be so much fun seeing my grandson become a great artist… even if it is just for fun and not a career.
D
Dorothy
Guest
Thank you! Your pictures certainly show the mood of what you are conveying.
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InLight247
Guest
Brilliant expression!
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reen12
Guest
quote: Ghoti
Yes! Please do, Ghoti. I would appreciate seeing some of your work.
reen12
I’m going to look over my portfolio and see if I have anything to contrib.
Yes! Please do, Ghoti. I would appreciate seeing some of your work.
reen12
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reen12
Guest
Dear Dorothy and InLight247,
Thank you, for your kind words.
They surely have brightened my heart.
The topic of the thread, as I understand it,
is one of reflecting on the possible influence -
of Catholic spirituality - on a given artist.
If the whole of life is taken into account,
then an artist tries to convey his experience
of a given reality, in life.
For those who “sing” in a major key,
their work may well be flooded with light.
Reflecting - “In Thy light, we shall see light.”
For those, whose key is minor, whose life experience has been
more that of Calvary - their work may well show a reflection of
Catholic spirituality, which has the cross as it’s center.
Yet major or minor key, each of us reflects light,
and the Source of that light.
Once again, I thank you for your kind words.
reen12
Thank you, for your kind words.
They surely have brightened my heart.
The topic of the thread, as I understand it,
is one of reflecting on the possible influence -
of Catholic spirituality - on a given artist.
If the whole of life is taken into account,
then an artist tries to convey his experience
of a given reality, in life.
For those who “sing” in a major key,
their work may well be flooded with light.
Reflecting - “In Thy light, we shall see light.”
For those, whose key is minor, whose life experience has been
more that of Calvary - their work may well show a reflection of
Catholic spirituality, which has the cross as it’s center.
Yet major or minor key, each of us reflects light,
and the Source of that light.
Once again, I thank you for your kind words.
reen12
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Ghoti
Guest
This is a project I did for one of my design classes. It’s a “cuddly toy” for Green Berets or Army Rangers to keep them company in the trenches. He’s called “Master Sergeant Mayhem”. He’s fully poseable, too, and made out of mostly recycled material. The beret is made from a woman’s green skirt; the head from a baby’s fleece hoodie; the body, buttons, and rank pins from a US army jacket; the eyes and nose from a puppet, all purchased at a goodwill-style store. The stuffing came from an old pillow. The belt was made from some webbing and a small buckle I had on hand; the eyes on the skull from some eyes I had in my crafts kit; and the skull and teeth made from the felt in a dollar-store craft kit. The internal skeleton was assembled from “giant twist ties”-- thick wire, approx 12" long, covered in soft foam, and twisted together to form a skeleton.
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Ghoti
Guest
Reen, I love what you do with Corel!!
I might give it a try – nothing to lose, eh?
I might give it a try – nothing to lose, eh?
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reen12
Guest
quote: Ghoti
different sources, really appeals to me.
Thank you for posting that, Ghoti.
And thank you for your service to our country.
Do you have any other works that you would like to share?
I’d sure be pleased to see them. “Master Sergeant Mayhem”
will long be remembered by me.
reen12
It’s perfect!!! I love it. And utilizing materials, from several
different sources, really appeals to me.
Thank you for posting that, Ghoti.
And thank you for your service to our country.
Do you have any other works that you would like to share?
I’d sure be pleased to see them. “Master Sergeant Mayhem”
will long be remembered by me.
reen12
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reen12
Guest
quote: Ghoti
I’m not kidding, Ghoti, I get so focused, on creating a drawing, that 2 hours may fly by, and I don’t even realize it. You may be a lot more skilled, at using the Corel software, than I am.
Basically, I begin in Corel Photo House. Any “change” in angle, that I need, is done in Corel Print House.
Windows Paint allows me to make a 2nd image “transparent” - when added to the original image. [Otherwise, part of the original image will be “blotted out” by the 2nd image.]
I love Corel. Sometimes, you can make use of your own photographs, adding in elements that you draw.
The only concern that I have, is to save every step, along the way.
Do you know what I mean by “over-drawing?” - so that the freshness and the vibrancy of the orginal sketch is lost?
But since I save each change, I can always go back to the original sketch.
Here are my sketches and drawings of Reb Zusia… He was a shining light, in the history of Hasidic Judaism.
I’m part way through writing a children’s story - based on an incident in Reb Zusia’s life.
This is another instance of how artistic effort may be ‘informed’ by spirituality.
Yet, lest I perish - from ‘terminal seriousness’ :whacky: - I also create cartoons.
I figure that God likes to laugh, too. :juggle:
I hope that you do try to work with Corel, Ghoti. I think that it honors God, and fills our hearts with happiness - when we express ourselves through the gifts that He gave to us.
reen12
Absolutely nothing! to lose.
I’m not kidding, Ghoti, I get so focused, on creating a drawing, that 2 hours may fly by, and I don’t even realize it. You may be a lot more skilled, at using the Corel software, than I am.
Basically, I begin in Corel Photo House. Any “change” in angle, that I need, is done in Corel Print House.
Windows Paint allows me to make a 2nd image “transparent” - when added to the original image. [Otherwise, part of the original image will be “blotted out” by the 2nd image.]
I love Corel. Sometimes, you can make use of your own photographs, adding in elements that you draw.
The only concern that I have, is to save every step, along the way.
Do you know what I mean by “over-drawing?” - so that the freshness and the vibrancy of the orginal sketch is lost?
But since I save each change, I can always go back to the original sketch.
Here are my sketches and drawings of Reb Zusia… He was a shining light, in the history of Hasidic Judaism.
I’m part way through writing a children’s story - based on an incident in Reb Zusia’s life.
This is another instance of how artistic effort may be ‘informed’ by spirituality.
Yet, lest I perish - from ‘terminal seriousness’ :whacky: - I also create cartoons.
I figure that God likes to laugh, too. :juggle:
I hope that you do try to work with Corel, Ghoti. I think that it honors God, and fills our hearts with happiness - when we express ourselves through the gifts that He gave to us.
reen12
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Antegin
Guest
I paint. It’s impossible to match the beauty God has already created, but it sure is fun trying.
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reen12
Guest
quote: Antegin
And what do you think about the concept that human artistic effort
is a unique ‘interpretation’ - of that which He has created?
In other words, is it possible that God created us - so that we
would not only be unique reflections of Him, but that each of us is
capable of reflecting - uniquely - on that which He* has* created?
Is each of us precious to Him, in part because each of us will reflect, uniquely, part of His creation? Does this not do Him honor?
Is this capacity for unique reflection - of the world that
He has created - part of the ‘informing principle’ of spirituality,
in the creation of works of art?
reen12
Are there some of your works that you would consider sharing with us, Antegin?
And what do you think about the concept that human artistic effort
is a unique ‘interpretation’ - of that which He has created?
In other words, is it possible that God created us - so that we
would not only be unique reflections of Him, but that each of us is
capable of reflecting - uniquely - on that which He* has* created?
Is each of us precious to Him, in part because each of us will reflect, uniquely, part of His creation? Does this not do Him honor?
Is this capacity for unique reflection - of the world that
He has created - part of the ‘informing principle’ of spirituality,
in the creation of works of art?
reen12
A
Antegin
Guest
If I knew how…
I have observed in my art a preference for portraits that show love, wonder, peace in a storm. These are all things that I personally experience. If I were a writer instead of a painter, this would be called verisimultude.
I remember in the early 80s when the possibility of artificial intelligence was just being conceptualized, we debated in my philosophy course whether it was possible to create a non-human being with artificial intelligence. We already had automotons that worked in industry, but had no intelligence. By the end of the semester, the existentialists were deadlocked with Rand capitolists over what the questions was: existentialists maintained that anything man made would only be a reflection of man and not only should not be given human rights and considerations but further debate about whether the creation was an homage to the true Creator or an arrogant affront to that Creator was needed. (I went to a public college, we were not allowed to call the Creator G-O-D) The Rand thinkers said that if there was a profit to be made, the creation should have no rights, serve the builders only, the rights of the builders were all important.
Have I bored you yet?
What I am trying to say is I do not believe myself or any other artist so talented that they reflect God in their art. At out very best, artists reflect what in us is a reflection of God in our lives.
Sometimes you just have to appreciate the beauty of a flower, the classic female figure and not overanalyze why they appeal to us so.
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reen12
Guest
quote: Antegin
I am at home with the approach of some of the existentialists, particularly Camus.
quote: Antegin
[Let’s not even *approach panentheisim.]
quote: reen12
Photobucket places various codes, under the newly uploaded image, and then one copies the code needed - and pastes that code into one’s post.
Voila! The image appears in the post. It is very simple.
[Just google Photobucket.]
I hope that helps, Antegin.
reen12
Not at all. **
I am at home with the approach of some of the existentialists, particularly Camus.
quote: Antegin
I hold that an artist can reflect their experience - of that which He has created.
[Let’s not even *approach panentheisim.]
quote: reen12
quote: reen12
quote: Antegin
If I had created a painting, I might try taking a digital photo of same, to upload.
Photobucket places various codes, under the newly uploaded image, and then one copies the code needed - and pastes that code into one’s post.
Voila!
The image appears in the post. It is very simple.[Just google Photobucket.]
I hope that helps, Antegin.
reen12
I
iona_scribe
Guest
Don’t worry about it, I’m glad you found some encouragement hereSorry, iona_scribe, not trying to hijack your thread!
I struggled with depression off and on when I was younger (not that I’m even in my thirties quite yet) and during the last bout, I pretty much stopped drawing, which is something that I used to do constantly before.
When I was going through counseling 3 years ago, I broke my dry spell by drawing the stations of the cross: amandari.net/stations/
This helped me to join my suffering and struggle to Christ’s, and in the end he gave me the strength to forgive my family for a lot of the messed up things that happened when I was growing up.
Now that I’ve recovered, I’m slowly trying to get back into drawing and painting like I used to. That’s why I’m curious about other creative Catholics …I’ve been really inspired by the people sharing here
I hope you find healing through God’s love, and you’re able to enjoy drawing again some day soon.
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Lamb_Serenade
Guest
Years back I did a lot of pencil sketches, but haven’t had the inspiration to pick it up and do any more. My mom on the other hand is a brilliant artist. She does pastels sketches, oil and acrylic painting.
Me, my current artistic outlet is making rosaries and lanyards. Here is a couple of pictures of some of my creations.
Me, my current artistic outlet is making rosaries and lanyards. Here is a couple of pictures of some of my creations.
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reen12
Guest
quote:iona scribe
My husband, who is a fine artist, looked at the drawings
that you posted the link to. As I saw the first images,
I called to him “Look at these” - and he, too, was not only stunned,
but touched deeply, by the drawings that he saw.
We were stunned by the beauty and by the
insight shown. My jaw dropped, as I viewed
the first images. It literally dropped.
For the love of heaven, please continue with
your work.
I ran an art-based business, 20 years ago,
which was highly successful, for I chose
fine images that were created in the 19th century,
to reproduce. I know fine art when I see it.
I was stunned, when I saw your work. Please continue,
iona scribe, God has wonderfully gifted you.
Maureen
reen12
Dear God, iona scribe, He has gifted you with a great gift.
My husband, who is a fine artist, looked at the drawings
that you posted the link to. As I saw the first images,
I called to him “Look at these” - and he, too, was not only stunned,
but touched deeply, by the drawings that he saw.
We were stunned by the beauty and by the
insight shown. My jaw dropped, as I viewed
the first images. It literally dropped.
For the love of heaven, please continue with
your work.
I ran an art-based business, 20 years ago,
which was highly successful, for I chose
fine images that were created in the 19th century,
to reproduce. I know fine art when I see it.
I was stunned, when I saw your work. Please continue,
iona scribe, God has wonderfully gifted you.
Maureen
reen12
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