grace

Happy feast of St. John of the Cross, one of the doctors of the church. Well known for his work on the "Dark night of the Soul" which is different than "Spiritual Desolation" that St. Ignatius talks about. We all have our crosses to bear but we don't always see the fruit. It's a fitting day for me as I got a big cross today but with God's grace I can support it. Please pray for my healing of headaches and depression, they are really getting in the way. St. John of the Cross, pray for us. #Stjohnofthecross, #john, #cross, #darknight, #darknightofthesoul, #saints, #saint, #saintoftheday, #carmelite, #catholic, #christian, #cattolico, #cattolica, #santi, #sangiovannidellacroce

Lavender flowers represent purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement, and luxury, too. The color is also associated with the crown chakra, which is the energy center associated with a higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.

"Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love the graceful shape of treble clefs so here's one of about half a dozen!

"Pisces Koi" is a bold and intricate black-and-white ink piece that blends symbolism with fluid motion. A koi fish, known for its resilience and transformation, weaves through a bed of blooming roses, creating a contrast between movement and stillness. The fine details in the scales and petals bring depth, making the composition feel alive. The upward motion of the koi echoes the legend of perseverance—where a koi swimming upstream becomes a dragon—mirroring the Pisces spirit of adaptation and ambition. The roses introduce another layer, possibly symbolizing beauty, personal growth, or challenges that shape us. This piece captures a sense of quiet strength and fluidity, speaking to those drawn to themes of transformation, water energy, and the balance between struggle and grace.

Oil painting on primed panel. For hire. Visit my portfolio at www.michaeljamesfa.com/portfolio

Created using pen and ink, this drawing mimics a fine art painting I saw in a museum. I loved the figures and their fluid movements, so I doodled it down in my sketchbook and later inked it in for a refined black and white artwork. Check out more on my website ArtsyDrawings.com!

A lone fairy glides gracefully along carrying a single white rose. Pen and ink with flat colors.

First Sorrowful Mystery: The agony in the Garden. The Angel is dressed in black because it is fortelling his death and the chalice is like a bitter black liquid. Jesus suffered such agony in the Garden of Gethsenami that it would have been enough to save us all but he wanted to give an abundance of graces and spiritual gifts for our salvation by suffering for us all possible pains we could experience. So that even pain can bear fruit in our lives. "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go yonder and pray.' And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will"' (Mt 26:36-39). "Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the Tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony" (CCC, 2849). Our Father, 10 Hail Marys (contemplating the mystery), Glory be to the Father.

The Fifth and final Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple. Young Jesus is so cool, can you just immagine all the wisdom and grace pouring out of him at Nazareth? "That kid is amazing!" the temple elders and priests probably said but they had no idea how amazing he actually is, because he's God! Super power packed! lol Luke Chapter 2: 40-52 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in him. 41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem, at the solemn day of the pasch, 42 And when he was twelve years old, they going up into Jerusalem, according to the custom of the feast, 43 And having fulfilled the days, when they returned, the child Jesus remained in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not. 44 And thinking that he was in the company, they came a day's journey, and sought him among their kinsfolks and acquaintance. 45 And not finding him, they returned into Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that, after three days, they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his wisdom and his answers. 48 And seeing him, they wondered. And his mother said to him: Son, why hast thou done so to us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said to them: How is it that you sought me? did you not know, that I must be about my father's business? 50 And they understood not the word that he spoke unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them. And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and men.

The 4th Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of Jesus. I put Joseph up front because he had a very important part not only in the Circumsision of Jesus after 8 days but also the Presentation of Jesus after 40 days. In fact the Fathers are the ones who offer the sacrifice in private (with other jewish priests etc.) in order to "Redeem" the child. Hence one of Saint Joseph's titles: "The Redeemer of the Redeemer". He also has the unique title of the "Savior of the Savior" because in the flight to Egypt after this event Joseph saved Jesus from the hands of Herod. Oh and I got to see the tomb of Saint Simeon! It's in Zadok and we got to see his body, he still had flesh but his beard had fallen out (poor guy, lol). He was a very holy man, I could feel the graces there. ^_^ St. Simeon and St. Anna the Prophetess, pray for us! Luke 2: 22-39 22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. 26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed o the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. 39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth

It's Christmas in July! The Third Joyful mystery: The Nativity, the Birth of Jesus. Jesus has his iconic Halo now and you can see the divine graces pouring out in the classic Iconic way, some deep theology drawn here. ^_^ Of course Saint Joseph is in deep contemplation, Mary is tucking Jesus in and even the animals are in wonder. :) Holy Family, pray for us.

It's our Mother of Jesus! Child Version! ^_^ Our order actually has a devotion to the Child Mary as well as the Child Jesus. It's all about being little and realizing our calling as Children of God. When I draw these little cutesy things it helps me to remember to be little, to not take things so seriously all the time. By the grace of God they give me joy. :) Remember, be little! Peace

I feel I'm not nearly experienced enough yet with digital drawing/painting to do this goddess justice, but there it is.

My illustration of Grace Ashford from the novel Kiss Heaven Goodbye.

Quick Pencil Drawing

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!

Inktober Day 17 "Graceful

When I can't think what to draw, I go for graceful symbols and hang lines and other things on them.