What a wonderful portrait!
Mary

Sorry Mary. I didn't see your reply. Thank you. Today I will attempt to retouch varnish him. Hope I don't screw it up.

Scott,
There is nothing I can add except that, I too, am stunned by the eloquence and beauty of your work. I too, am captivated by your color palette and your subtly. Thank you for the close-ups. If you don't mind they will be printed up and placed in my reference folders for further study and inspiration!!

Whoa. This is inspiring on a number of levels. For one, as a practicing Catholic and an artist (do they make those anymore?), seeing a traditional portrait of a clergy member is heartening. It seems that the days of the Church's full support of the artist are mostly gone.

My diocese is the Archdiocese of Maine, and the Bishop's church is the one I attend, so I get to see him saying Mass often. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is quite amazing insofar as the art within is concerned: Belgian stained glass roseate windows 18 feet in diameter; an Italian marble baptismal fountain 12 feet tall with a copy of Michelangelo's resurrected Christ perched impressively on top; 6000-piece-each mosaics for the Stations of the Cross - real solid stuff... but it is all quite old. Bishop Malone was only recently installed, and his "official portrait" is more like a Sears photograph. Blah. Fortunately, its in the Rectory.

But, all is not lost. I have an appointment to paint the Rector of the Cathedral - which is at my request. Partly because Fr. Jim is such an incredible guy. The other part is that if it turns out well, it may interest the Bishop.

I feel as if I'm trying to dredge up the past, but seeing your incredibly reverent and stunning portrait, Scott, I'm inspired to forge ahead in the face of modernity. The last place portraiture and representational art should lose its foothold is the place where it really thrived, and that's the Catholic church. And this isn't about religion per se, either - this is about the history of the art we hold dear.

Thank you, Scott, for your amazing work.

Thank you Patricia. You are very kind. And of course I wouldn't mind.

Rob the Catholic Church had traditionally been a provider of commissions in the region of Limburg although now a days this is not so apparent. My commission to paint the Bishop came as a result of two other portraits I had done of former seminary Rectors: purely a case of one thing leading to another, a phenomenon so important in this business. The historical aspect of such a commission appeals to me as well. It's like leaving something solid of the past behind. Thank you for your very kind remarks and best of luck with your Rector portrait.

Scott

[QUOTE=Rob Sullivan]... as a practicing Catholic and an artist (do they make those anymore?),

One resides above your post, in the redheaded Irish Catholic's avatar! I, too, enjoyed the commission I completed of the Mother Superior who laid the foundation and built the 100 year old convent I work in. Painting the portrait did give me an mystical feeling of continuity and connection with the grand history of art in the Catholic Church. Of course, I being just the church mouse artist ;) Nonetheless it was a thrill!

Looking forward to seeing your contribution, Rob. I know it will be inspirational!