Jesuits and Art

I accidentally found this fascinating webpage discussing the Jesuits' influence on art, with Bernini and Rubens as key examples:

Artistic Expression of Jesuit Values

What I was looking for was actually Jesuit contributions to geometry (long story), which makes the rest of the site fascinating as well.

Etching Prints

Here they are, long overdue to this blog. The prints from the 2 plates that I etched:

I can't quite manage to get a photo that does this one justice. I need better lighting and a tripod, and perhaps to put it up vertically on my easel. Anyhow, if you look closely, it is covered in Celtic knot patterns.

I didn't have time for aquatint with this one. I just wanted to see what I could do with cross hatching on hard ground. The main shadow is not as dark as I intended (if you've seen my preliminary sketch), but I'm very pleased with the shading on the monk's robe.

Overall, a fantastic learning experience! I intend to work up some more ideas over the next year or so and then maybe see about renting some time in the studio.

The Vampire Hunter

The husband and I spent Sunday afternoon engaged in relaxing activities; he was playing Castlevania and I drew in my sketchbook. I think I drew his body slightly too small for his head, but it's difficult when you and your subject are on the same love seat. This is the first portrait sketch I've managed in a long time and I was very pleased with how it turned out.

The Way of Beauty on Catholic TV.com

I just finished watching this seven-part series on Catholic art by David Clayton, iconographer and artist in residence at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. The program explores Catholic artistic traditions of the past and how they can inform Catholic sacred art today:

The Way of Beauty

I definitely found some constructive food for thought here, especially since I'm always interested in the Gothic style as a uniquely Christian aesthetic expression.