I was in good spirits Monday, as I drove to the local community college. I had received word a few weeks before that I would be teaching some classes there in the fall, and was on my way to sign my employment contract. The job seemed ideal. It would provide me with a solid, steady income, yet leave me a good deal of free time to work at my fine art projects, especially the religious and liturgical art that I hoped to pursue.
It had been a grindingly long year, as my art income had been spotty, and this new job promised to ease things considerably. I had applied for several positions, and tried to drum up as much freelance business as I could, but we had slowly and continually lost ground. Maybe now I wouldn’t have to worry about stopping at Sonic occasionally to buy the kids a milk shake. We could buy a few clothes, perhaps even replace my old Dodge Neon next year.
While driving, I tuned in to the local Catholic radio station. It was the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe, and I listened as the hosts and guests discussed Kolbe’s spirituality. Standing out in my mind was Kolbe’s understanding that any apostolate goes through three stages; preparation, the apostolate itself, and then the suffering that makes the apostolate fruitful. I considered that my new focus on liturgical art could be understood as an apostolate, and I looked back on how God might have prepered me for it, how I felt that He called me to it, and how we had even suffered financially, somewhat. I quickly decided that, though it had been a rough several months, I really couldn’t call it suffering… not in the big scheme of things… especially in comparison to the suffering of saints like Maximilian Kolbe. Nonetheless, I was happy and relieved to have my new teaching position.
Tomorrow would be the Feast of the Assumption, and we (me, my wife Martha, and kids) would attend the vigil mass at our parish that night. It would be a great opportunity to offer thanks for my new job. It also happened to be the day that I finished, and officially signed, my first real liturgical art piece, an Immaculate Heart image, in the classical realist style that I have happily, even gratefully, settled into over the last few years. I had prayed for some time about this new direction in my art and had decided to paint the Immaculate Heart as a way of expressing my new devotion to the Blessed Mother, as well as to ask her blessing on all my artwork, especially any religious pieces. Finishing the piece just as we would be celebrating Mary’s assumption was very gratifying and meant a great deal to me.
Overall, it was a day of milestones. Everything seemed steeped in significance.
I arrived early to sign my contract, and so decided to drop in and visit for a minute with the head of the art department. She had someone in her office, but looked up and greeted me, introducing me to her guest, another art instructor. Then she said "Did you get my message?".
"No", I replied. My cell phone had been in need of a charge.
"Oh… well, I’m sorry…" she began, "but I’m afraid we had to take away your classes." She went on to explain that class enrollment had not been as heavy as they had anticipated, and that one teacher they thought would be gone had indeed decided to stay. My classes were needed for the full-time faculty already on board. She was apologetic. She had never had to do this before. Things just didn’t work out. She had tried to call me that morning to let me know that I did not need to come out to sign my contract.
I don’t mind telling you that I was numb. It was something like having the wind knocked out of me. I said some things about how it was okay, and to keep me in mind if something opened up. I said thanks, I think.
At mass that night, I was comforted by the readings, and was reminded that my trust is in God, and not in any created thing. Had I put too much stock in this job, and lost my focus on Christ? If my priorities had been straight, would I have been so deeply stunned and disappointed? It wasn’t really a time to look for easy answers, though, more a time to lay everything before Christ and to trust in his providence. A time, also, to petition the Blessed Virgin and ask for her prayers.
So now the painting above takes on, for me, even more significance. I had thought for some weeks that in this new venture into liturgical art, I would be working with a net – so to speak. I am now, once again, working without a net.
And so comes the shameless plug. The photo above is a rather poor digital camera snapshot of my Immacualte Heart oil painting. The original is 18 x 24 inches, and is on wood panel. The model is a lovely lady from my parish, who condescended to pose for me. I have high quality prints of the original available in a variety of sizes which are appropriate for individuals or churches. The original is also for sale. If you like, you can find out more on MY WEBSITE.
I am also anxious (and this is the whole point, I guess) to execute more custom fine art pieces for churches that are in need of liturgical or devotional artwork. I will be happy to consider murals, as well. I pray that this piece is only the beginning of a fruitful career providing very high quality artwork that will be truly edifying to Catholic worship and devotion, both public and private. My art is informed by very traditional sensibilities, but is executed in a way that I hope is powerful and fresh.
I covet your prayers. If you have read this far… God bless you!
Tim, this piece is really beautiful – as is all of your work! God had indeed blessed you. You & your family will most definitely be in my prayers!
Working without a net is tough. I wish I could commission a work from you but know that you have our prayers.
May God bless this apostolate.
Your work is beautiful and the painting of Our Lady is actually my favorite, not just in subject but in execution. I can really see that you poured your heart and soul into this one. I am truely amazed.
I do have a couple of suggestions…based on experience. Have you networked with other (high traffic) Catholic (non-art) sites that would link to your website and promote your work? This comes to mind as well…the artist and writer Michael O’Brien said that he took his paint brushes to the church and actually prayed for them to be consecrated for the Lord. He has a newsletter from his website which also is very helpful in seeing his newest updated paintings.
As an artist and a painter, and one who has tried to make it painting for God…I totally understand what you are going through. Please know that you are in my prayers.
I am the proud owner of a giclee print of one of Tim’s works, and I can attest that the giclee prints are outstanding. Of course they’re nothing close to the original.
Tim, you and your family are in my prayers. If I could afford it, I would commission a piece.
‘thann
Tim, you should either link directly to the “Liturgical Art” section or tell people that’s where they should look. Make the purchase easy; don’t frustrate the customer. 🙂
If I had $2400, that painting would be mine in a hot second. It’s an exceptional piece, not just well-executed and beautiful, but with that extra oomph of real feeling and that indefinable quality which makes me want to look at it again and again. When the eye and heart are both drawn to a piece, it’s something special.
Tim,
Take heart. I concur with the above comments. Your heart and love for Jesus and the Blessed Mother can be seen in your work. Your works are truly beautiful. They bring to mind comments by B16 about Beauty and God and us.
t above is referring to http://www.studiObrien.com. I just love how Michael D. O’Brien considers himself an artist that writes.
I know that God hears our prayers, has our best in mind and that His will is not necessarily our will. I have been seeking his will for help in paying off old debts, in forming me and growing me in Him. I have been surprised that he answered these by arranging a second job for me delivering pizzas in the evenings.
May HE be your net and give you and yours all the grace that you need.
peace to you,
tim
Tim, I hear you. Unfortunately, I can relate.
“Tim, you should either link directly to the “Liturgical Art” section or tell people that’s where they should look.”
Thanks, Maureen. I have not been able to make that direct link to “Liturgical Art” work yet, so… everybody, if you want to look at the painting and get more information, please go to my website;
http://www.timothyjonesfineart.net
and click on the “Liturgical Art” link in the left-hand column.
(Sorry… technology is not my thing)
Thnaks, all, for the kind words and prayers.
I can relate all too well, I was out of work for months before, by the grace of God, I found a position. Like you, I was promised things that never came through or (in the case of one employer) was outright lied to about the pay rate and nature of the position.
I’ll keep you in my prayers.
Absolutely beautiful work. I will keep you in mind; and if I ever hear of any need for artwork, I would be honored to recommend you.
You have a great gift–plus, I always enjoy reading your posts and comments on JAO.
God Bless
That is probably the most beautiful rendition of the Immaculate heart I have ever seen. It shows a more accurate age of the blessed mother.
Well done! Bravo Zulu!
Dear Tim,
As a fellow artist my heart goes out to you. I have been a professional artist since 1982 showing my work in galleries and other places. I have always had a full time job to support myself and my family. Besides painting I have worked at the University of Texas Performing Arts Center for the last 18 years. 8 Years ago I made the choice to do work that was only concerned with my faith, largely working on a series based on the parables of Jesus. Not surprisingly my sales dropped of dramaticly but I felt then and do know that is what God wants me to do since I don’t depend on my painting sales to pay the bills. But I often struggle with why God doesn’t let me do this full time?? I don’t have a pat answer but only trust in Divine Providence and that God does have a plan for my life. After all Paul apparently continued to make tents while he was being an apostle (Acts 18: 1-4) Now if I was God I would have had Paul spend every minute of every day doing apostolic things, writing more letters etc. but apparently that wasn’t Divine Providence. Contiue to trust in God’s love for you and make contributions to the treasury of grace, even your suffering can be a contribution.
I think your newest painting is beautiful and full of grace as our Blessed Mother is. Please continue to paint more liturgical and devotional paintings. The church and the world needs artist who are commited to an artisitc renewal NOT based on the artist desire for mere personal expression but as servants of our Lord Jesus and His church. Keep up the good work!!
Tim,
please know that you and your family are in my prayers and that I will specifically pray for you at Mass tomorrow. Your work is so attractive to me that if I ever reached a point in my life when I wasn’t completely broke I wouldn’t hesitate to contact you and comission you to either sketch or paint a portrait of my darling children or a litugical art, piece.
I feel privileged to know, if only via cyber means, such an exceptionally gifted and talented artist.
God Bless you and your loved ones.