cross

I came across a photo of an old mask and surmised this could happen to you if you put it on.

I took inspiration from a group of artists who created a similar image but I decided to place my own spin on it by having henna like designs across the hands.

Now! It's the Final Mystery! The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Each person of the Most Holy Trinity is crowning her and since doves don't have hands, I drew the Holy Spirit in humanoid form. :) The Eternal Father is in green because we often think about how he created all of Creation (as green is like a natury color ya know). Jesus in the Red of the Redemption and the Holy Spirit with the Brilliant White of Sanctification. Our Lady in her blue of Wisdom and Grace having the crown placed on her head. The crown has the Cross and M of mary like on the Miraculous Medal. ^_^ My Rosary pictures are complete! Wooo! :D Our Lady, Queen of the Divine Will, pray for us! Fiat. "Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death" (CCC, 966). #Rosary, #Chrisitan, #Catholic, #Mary, #Father, #Son, #HolySpirit, #Jesus, #Glorious, #Coronation, #Creation, #Redemption, #Sanctification, #Drawing, #DigitalArt, #Pen, #Final, #Complete, #Yeah!

...Macon, Georgia! When in Macon make sure you visit the downtown area...oh yeah...and the Shoppes at Rivercrossing!

Be Hold the Lamb of God Medium: Acrylic on canvas size:11”x12” Date 2019-2020 Artist: Stephen J. Vattimo This illustration is done for a mural portraying the earthly ministry of Jesus the Christ. This is number 8, out of 9 illustraitions. This illustration portrays Jesus after he dies on the cross. Biblical reference : Mark 15 : 33-39 33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[b] 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” 36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. 37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. 38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died,[c] he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” In doing my research : I found out that the crown of thorns might have been a cap, than a wreath. I t is my opinion that Mel Gibson’s portrayal of the brutality the Roman soldier inflicted on the body of Jesus, through the beatings and the 39 lashes with the cat of nine tails. This event was never visually captured in arts, until he made his movie The Passion of the Christ. Many don’t know what a cat of nine tales is, Roman style. A cat of nine tails are nine leather strap that are woven together at the handle. Each strap is laced with bone and other sharp objects. With each lash, flesh would be ripped from the victim’s body. Most of the illustration I have seen of the crucifixion of Jesus where quite sterile. They fail to illustrate the brutality. Their image of Jesus looks more like an under wear modal doing a photo shoot fore GQ magazine, Then the savor having the wrath of God being pored on his body for the payment of our sins. In this painting, I am place my viewer in the soldiers shoes, who just witnessed Jesus committing His spirit into God’s hands. Just as the soldier pondered the event he participated in , and looking into the face of Jesus, he proclaims, this man was truly the Son of God. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 7/20/2020

So I've been looking into other programs tailored to illustrators and I came across Krita. It's free, easy to use and I LOVE the intuitive pen pressure and natural smoothness

I just started cross hatching thanks to @apricotjams and I loved it and this is my first cross hatched drawing

The First Glorious Mystery: The Resurrection! While Jesus' body was entombed he descended into the Underworld in order to free and bring to heaven all the righteous that died before Him. Jesus is victorious over death, Robed in Heavenly white, He is surrounded by a mandorla of star-studded light, representing the Glory of God. Christ is shown dramatically pulling Adam, the first man, and Eve from the tomb. Jesus does the work, that is why He is pulling Adam from the tomb by the wrist, and not the hand. Surrounding him are Holy Men and Women of the Old testament and who died before. St. Joseph is also there almost saying to the others "That's my boy! :)" Haha. John the Baptist and King David are present. On the other side we have little Abel next to Eve, Judith with her sword, Esther in royal purple and Ruth. I'd like to include even more but I'll need a much bigger piece of paper or canvas. :P This Icon is also called the "Harrowing of Hades" “Harrow” comes from the Old English word used to describe the ploughing of a field with a cultivator which is dragged roughly over the ground, churning it up. In the icon, Christ is shown with the instrument of His death plunged deep into Hades. Beneath Christ’s feet – which still carry the marks of His crucifixion – lay the gates of Hades, smashed wide open in the shape of the Cross. Christ has trampled death by death. Within the dark underworld are scattered broken chains and locks; Hades is not destroyed – it is still there – but its power to bind people is gone. There are no chains, no locked doors. Christ is always there to lift us from the darkness of this world. Fiat #Easter, #Resurrection, #Jesus, #Catholic, #Christian, #Rosary, #Glorious, #Freedom, #Salvation, #Adam, #Eve, #Abel, #Joseph, #David, #John, #Ruth, #Judith, #Esther, #Sketch, #DigitalArt, #Holy, #Hades, #Underworld, #Abraham's Bosom, #Death, #Life, #Victory,

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The carrying of the cross. So I basically have 5 stations of the cross combined into one. The carrying of the cross (2nd station), When he sees our Blessed Mother (4), Simon of Cyrene forced to help (5), St. Veronica wipes his face (6), he meets the women (8). In between these are the 3 times he fell, the first station of his condemation and then the striping before the final mystery of the Rosary. "And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull)" (Mk 15:21-22). "By accepting in his human will that the Father's will be done, he accepts his death as redemptive, for 'he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree' (1 Pt 2:24)" (CCC, 612). Our Father, 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery), Glory be to the Father.

Mixed media with watercolors, watercolor pencils and markers.

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel. This is also considered the Incarnation of Jesus. Those letters "ICXC" are an abbreviation of the Greek name of "Jesus Christ" ("IHCOYC XPICTOC"), hence she is conceiving Jesus by the Holy Spirit and power of the Most High. ^_^ That's why the light is going towards her. Her arms are crossed in humility as if she was saying "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word". Gabriel the Archangel and Blessed Mama Mary, pray for us! O:)

power outage but they're working on it right across the street

I came across a photo of the actor Christopher Lloyd looking very forlorn, which inspired this spare drawing.

ink on paper. Here’s another demon baby. This doodle in particular is one of my favorites. I’m looking forward to “digitizing” it through Procreate on my iPad. I used Micron pens for this doodle, and for the hatching/crosshatching. More doodles and creatures to come

Ice and Fire

It's a Raccoon Dog! Did you know these exist? In Japan they call them Tanuki. I've always liked raccoons so I really enjoyed finding out about the Raccoon Dogs years ago (Even though they actually aren't related to Raccoons). It would be so cool to have one. ^_^ Thank you Lord for all the Raccoon Dogs! :P

I've always loved Hedgehogs ever since Sonic the Hedgehog. Here in Italy there are actually wild hedgehogs, when I found out I had to try and find one. Usually at night if we are driving I will be attentive to find some critters. I've seen crested porcipines, boars, badgers, weasels, owls, eagles, bats, lizards, deer and other things. But for awhile I never saw a hedgehog (one time I thought i did but that doesn't count), but finally about a year ago I finally found one while passing through the country of San Marino (it's in Italy)! It was crossing the road and it was the hugest hedgehog I have ever seen! Thanks be to God! lol. It was about the size of like a big small dog or something, probably about a foot long. So yeah I had to draw one in tribute of my weird obsession to find one, haha.

Sometimes we just gotta take things less seriously and be little. :) So this is me Animal Crossing style! What makes this style particular? Triangle noses, and spoons for hands big enough to scoop up tons of Gelato icecream! :p

So if Animal Crossing had a Catholic Church, one of the windows might look like this, because in the museum there are several cathedral windows with an Owl on them (Blathers). It's interesting how this particular art form of the church has inspired cultures throughout the ages, even in our modern times in video games. An owl is a symbol of wisdom. So this is the Eucharist, fount of all wisdom or rather even Wisdom itself (as He is God). Heh, it's pretty fun finding all these lil Catholic things in games ^_^

We took the Tuesday after Memorial Day off and rode bikes into GG Park. We found a mostly empty patch of green to picnic and play across from the Conservatory of Flowers. Our social distancing signs are blue with four white arrows pushing four people apart. Every time I look at them, I think, what if people think the length of those arrows is actually 6 feet? What do yours look like?

Sometimes have difficulty expressing how I feel in word but I'm finding art to be a way in which I can open up a lot more. It's really hard to describe Anxiety, especially because a lot of times (at least with things like GAD) it's hard to know where it comes from. Anyone who has ever had an attack can relate. Also Spiritual Desolation can often accompany it which makes it confusing and people experience it differently. Nothing has ever made me feel more in union with Our Lord in the Agony of the Garden. There is also that sense of abbandonment on the cross, and for me the crown of thorns because of migranes which are connected with it. But there is hope, you can see the light in the heart... in the soul... Often times it feels like a dark cloud and no magic formula of words or advice will do the trick, we know the logic, we understand the solutions but in the moment one just has to experience the Cross. An artist shows beauty, soul, personality, emotion, life. This transcends language, boundaries, cultures and connects humanity. This unity is what brings us closer in solidariety, fraternity and love, and this is what again, leads to joy, joy even in the midst of sorrow. And so even if I express sorrow or anxiousness, let this help you know that you are not alone, have joy in your heart even if you don't feel like smiling. Never give up, I know it can seem lonely but know that people really do love you. Peace be with you

Figure Study

A cross section from the April 2020 table.

Vampire Karaoke

Once upon a time, there was a deer who sailed across blue dreams

TheStephen Vattimo 7 mins The Three Witnesses Acrylic on Canvas Size :48"x68" Year finished: 2004-14 This painting illustrates three witnesses who are taking part in the salvation of a homeless person. the figure in the background is angled, this imposed by them being Positioned on second-floor balconies, symbolizing they are not humans, they are a higher class of beings. To the left side of the painting a demon and to the right side an angel of God . the kingdoms they serve are identified by the breastplate emblems of their armor. The demon has a dragon head overlaid on a pentagram. The angle of God has a lions head overlaid on a cross. The demon face is partly hidden by a hood which represents deception, where in contrast the angle of God is wearing nothing on his head that hiders the view of his face., representing honest. Angel is always involved in the affairs of the human race. The demon is warring against man to turn their heart against God, and lead them to destruction. God's angel is always warring lead mankind to salvation through Jesus the Christ, and lead him away from the path of destruction that comes from sinful living. The ally way is representing three kingdoms, to the left, the kingdom o Hell. The center road, the kingdom of mankind. To the right side, the kingdom of Heaven. The path of these kingdoms is represented by the direction of stairs. To go the way of Hell is to take the stairs down to the sub-level door. To the go, the way of heaven is to take the fire escape upward. The lighting and the condition of the structures of the walls also identify the nature of the kingdoms they represent. The kingdom of Hell is represented by the dark and crumbling wall. Man's kingdom is represented by a boarded up windowed wall that is a dead end. Symbolizing that mankind only has two roads to chose from, there is no such thing as a third reality. The left side of the paint is a cardboard box and a newspaper floor which serve as a makeshift shelter for the homeless man. The turned over bottle reveals which devise he had that lead him to a life of living in the street. The tipped over trash can which spills its trash onto the light source that is lighting the alleyway, which is in the shape of a cross, represents mankind's sin which Jesus The Christ paid in full the debt which God demand for the payment for sin which is death. So that The guiltless took the place of the guilty, that by faith in this truth all will escape Hell and enter the Kingdom of God as children and heirs of The Highest God. The Homeless man, who is dirty,ill-clothed, cold, tired, hungry, hopeless, symbolizes the condition of Mankind outside a flourishing relationship with God. The Christian witness is better dressed implying he is walking with God, and his life is blessed through God provision. The witness is showing compassion and the love of Christ to this homeless man by wrapping his arm around the shoulder of the dirty smelly homeless man. He points the homeless man in the direction of the path that leads to salvation through faith in the work of Jesus The Christ which is His work on the Cross, receive Jesus as his Lord and Savior. That through a relationship with the Christ, He can receive the guidance, the strength, the willpower to leave his old life of being a drunkard and living in the street. Because in Christ old thing pass away, and all thing are made new. The light that falls on the Christian witness and the homeless man and opens up in the shape of the cross in the alleyway, comes from a heavenly source outside the picture. Written by Stephen J.Vatttimo June 16, 2014

Peter took His Eye off Jesus and began to sink. Medium: Acrylic on canvas Size: 11”x 15” Date: 2019-2020 This illustration is one of nine, in a mural about the ministry of Christ. This image is block number 7. This painting illustrates Jesus rescuing peter, as he start to sink in to the sea, because he lost his faith when took his eyes off Jesus, and focused on the violence of the winds and waves of the storm. Matthew 14:22-33 New American Standard Bible (NASB) Jesus Walks on the Water 22 Immediately He [a]made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already [b]a long distance from the land, [c]battered by the waves; for the wind was [d]contrary. 25 And in the [e]fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out [f]in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” When I did my research, I Found very few biblical accurate illustrations of the event. Very few captured the darkness and valiance of a stormy sky taking place at 3:00 am in the morning (which is the forth watch of the night. Many illustrations I found, their skies were too bright and calm. I found that the seas in these illustration had the same lack of movement and violence, the sea would have in a storm that was so strong the disciples were not able to make any headway in their crossing the lake. I notice that all illustrations of Jesus walking on water, show the viewer His feet. In reality the waves would most likely block the viewer from seeing his feet on top of the water. The unavoidable black eye in most of these illustrations of Jesus walking on water, is the ridicules and unrealistic possess they have Jesus in, of Him rescuing Peter. You know the ones where He is making some kind of sign with one hand, as it is held up toward the sky, and one hand reaching down to peter. What was I trying to accomplish in my illustration? I want to be careful, to being accurate with costumes styles, and colors worn by the poor people of Galilean society. I wanted to be accurate in illustrating a storm on the sea of Galilee. I looked over numerous photos on line, of storms taking place on the Sea of Galilee. To understanding how the water and sky behave during a storm I studied the colors of sky, clouds, and water, during these conditions, in this location of the world? Showing movement in the air and the water. I used stylist brush strokes, to create movement in the sky and in the water. I am hoping to make people feel the storm’s violent energy. Showing power of the wind blowing against the bodies of Jesus and peter, through the movement of clothes, and hair. Showing the anxiety of Pete, with his body swallowed up to the waist, his face looking up to Jesus to rescue him from drowning. Showing that Jesus offers security to Peter, from being swept away by the wave of the sea. By his secure grasp of Peter’s back arms. He is able to lift Peter out of the water. The message I want my view to receive, is that everyone who comes into the world will experience trials and tribulation. We can overcome our fears and be filled with courage, to enable us to battle our ways through these storm in life. When we place our trust in the one who has authority over the power of the storm, who is Jesus a member of the trinity of God that created all things. Written by Stephen J. Vattimo 3/16/2020

Second attempt at watercolor pencils and acrylics.

Keeping up the practice! Thank you for looking at my drawing!

cross hatching study