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asplendidtime
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Dear Ladies,
I chose the art of Michael D. O'Brien for the artist study for September. Being that I was also born and raised in Ontario, Canada. I have heard snippets of interviews for many years about the journey of this man. He is self-taught and has lived in a state of poverty for many years so that he could learn and study art.
>>Michael O'Brien, born in Ottawa, Canada, in 1948 is a self-taught painter and writer. He has worked as a professional artist since 1970 when he had his first one-man exhibit at a major gallery in Ottawa. The show was nearly sold out in a short time, and has been followed by 40 exhibits across North America during the ensuing 30 years... <<< Ignatius Press Article
I enjoyed tremendously an interview he had with Al Kresta several years ago on Ave Maria Radio. In which, he talked about his journey of faith and his journey and call to become an artist. He urged people to take a risk and obey God's call to use their talents to serve Him.
I chose 5 examples of his art, and would like to share them, but I will instead of reproducing them here, link to his web-gallery. As the images are copyrighted and not in the public domain.
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Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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The first I chose was "Pearl of Great Price"
Pearl of Great Price
>>Artist Commentary: A newly married couple unwraps the mystery of their sacrament. As they offer the mutual gift of self, layers of love are opened. The pearl of great price, the Kingdom of God, is within them, waiting to be discovered.<<
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Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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The second selection is called "Swimming Above The Abyss" and is a reflection of Divine Mercy.
Swimming Above The Abyss The colours are so striking, notice how the sun appears as a pearl.
>>Artist Commentary:
Man lives and moves and has his being in a great mystery. The figure in the water swims above fathomless depths, surrounded by limitless horizons, aiming toward the distant light. Is he immersed in an abyss of despair or in an ocean of divine mercy? And what is the light within that keeps him moving forward?<<
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Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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The third image is entitled "Halcyon", and the theme is the life of a child of God being one of adversity, but His power is made perfect in weakness?
Halcyon
>>Artist Commentary:
This painting is the cover art for a forthcoming novel by Michael O'Brien, "The Father's Tale." The kingfisher is a dominant image throughout the story, one of several traditional symbols of Christ. The kingfisher is based on the Greek myth of the Halcyon which nests its young at sea in the midst of winter. The children of Christ are born and raised in adversity, yet they will one day soar through the skies in the warmth of the sun.<<
__________________
Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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The fourth image is called "Transcendence" and is both a reflection on God and who He made us to be, "Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless until it repose in Thee." (Confessions I, i, 1)~St Augustine of Hippo
Transcendence
>>Artist Commentary: Is it dawn or dusk? Is the light growing or fading? In either case, the heart of a child reaches for what is above, longing to rise with the birds. Or is he offering the little white bird back to the sky? This is a reflection on the deepest desires of the soul for transcendence, a sign within man’s nature that he is created for eternal life.<<
__________________
Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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The fifth selection is titled: "Jesus taken down from the Cross", for one of his pictures which are always so vibrant and colourful and full of light. This image reflects a hopelessness, the cross seems to be an image of lost hope. Mysteriously, a sign of life.
Jesus taken down from the Cross
>>Artist Commentary: His suffering completed, his spirit in the hands of the Father, Jesus’s body is taken down from the Cross. To our eyes and to human reason it looks like the absolute end. Lifeless and degraded, his body seems little more than an empty sack. Yet in three days time it will be resurrected, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, glorious and radiant with eternal life.<<
__________________
Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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asplendidtime
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'Just wanted to include an example of his Byzantine art:
Icon of Our Lady-1 
__________________
Rebecca~Mama to
Noah 17,
Katie 16,
Mary 14,
Tim 13,
Jonah 12,
Josh 10,
Zoe 9,
Will 7,
Peter 6,
Laura-Mae 4,
Emily-Joy 2,
Genevieve & Gabriella 1
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Artist Study for September-O’Brien
