[Rob Sullivan]

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.