saint

My Saint Berdoodle, Freya, having fun in the snow.

Ref.: Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew; Hungarian Anjou legendary, Italy or Hungary, c. 1325-1335.

Closer than ever to sainthood....#Embracingnightmares is we’re his body was magically transported....

Fountain pen

Watercolor in situ

Where do I begin with this one? This is a drawing of my dad and I; the picture was taken back in 2006, a happier time, I suppose. I don't commonly think about my dad, I don't necessarily think about how much I miss him or how I wish I could see him again, so it was odd for me to sit and look through old photos. I don't really know my dad; I do, but I don't. My dad was physically part of my life for 10 years, the second half of those were not the best. Mental illness, self medicating for years, debt, heroin, arguments, threats, uncertainty. I feel like I remember the negative more because I was older, my parents couldn't hide it from me like they used to. At the same time, when he was sober and stable, life was good. Life was great, things felt complete. So here I am, 6 years since he died. I don't want to say his image is fading, but I know less of who he was than I did before. I see the good from some (the ones who praise him, who act like he was a saint), and I see the bad from others (the one who felt the pain). I suppose I no longer see my view, my memories aren't there anymore. I don't necessarily feel sad, the anger has faded, and I can't say I'm happy. Maybe I'll figure it out one day, but, for now, it is what it is.

I made this Icon Style Sketch on my new cappuccino colored (mid tone) sketchbook. It gives it a more antique feel, like an ancient scroll or something! :D This is of course, as it says, Saint Raphael the Archangel. You can see that he is about to give the Medicine of God because "God Heals" as his name says. ^_^ #Catholic, #Christian, #Saint, #Raphael, #Archangel, #Angel, #Icon, #Sketch,

It's the 3 Archangels! Chibi style. I designed this awhile back and finally decided to color it in. St. Gabriel in blue, Michael in Red and Raphael in Green. #Archangels, #Angels, #Michael, #Gabriel, #Raphael, #Archangel, #Angel, #Saints, #Sketch, #Pen, #DigitalColor, #Red, #Blue, #Green

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.

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:)

Saint John the Evangelist SUPERCHARGED!!! lol. I decided to digitaly colorize him so he fits in with the other Evangelists. ^_^ Yeah and the Eagle because of his High Christology and focus on the Divinity of Christ. He's flying high in the Fiat now! :)

And Finally it's Saint Matthew giving a high-five to his Symbolic Angel (Or "human with wings" technically)! I Made it more like a fairy or something, it's not like a mount like the other symbols of the evangelists. So Matthew looks a little more Fatherly because in the Gospel of Matthew the theme of God the Father is the strongest of the gospels (mentioned more times etc.), also it's the only account that gives the account of the Annunciation to St. Joseph and lots of details on St. Joseph, the virginal Father of Jesus on Earth. (I should probably redo St. John since I did the others with more detail, I actually I did that version of St. John a few years ago but I finally decided to color and outline it recently. All the others are new though.) Let me know if you want to see anything! I'll probably do the mysteries of the Rosary next. ^_^

I'm on a role so I might as well complete the Evangelists. :) This is St. Mark the gospel writer of yeah, you guessed it, Mark. He's on his symbolic Lion, besides the Regal symbolism I always thought the Lion was also because there are more exorcisms in Mark than any other Gospel (When ya think Lions ya think of battles and for him spiritual ones). But yeah, He's all about Christ the King n stuff, you know how they say that the Lion is the King of the Jungle, well Big J.C. is King of the Universe! :P

It's St. Luke the Evangelist on his symbolic Winged Ox! I actually visited his tomb in Padua before my first vows awhile back. And I saw his painting of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bologna. He is definately the Evangelist I am most devoted to because he is the patron of Artists! He is also a physician and because my religious name Raphael means "God Heals" and the Divine Physician there is also that connection. St. Luke Physician, Artist and Evangelist, pray for us! ^_^

St. John the Apostle riding on his symbolic eagle! XD

I had to make good ol Saint Benedict! Complete with his symbols, the Rule, Pastoral Staff and Our Monastic Habit! :D This is a super monk-ey picture. :P St. Benedict, pray for us!

Saint George and the dragon

Ink and marker on paper. A tribute to Foglianise a small town in southern Italy and its patron, Saint Rocco, the celebration is in the summer. www.graziamontalto.com

These figures found must cast some meanings from my subconscious. They simply came and as a whole composition! I uploaded a full description on youtube giving them individual names, mostly ghostly. This piece contains a spooky atmosphere stronger than the others and remains one of my favorites, probably because better works come effortless.

I love the tradition and the symbol behind a milagro heart. As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, or in gratitude for a prayer answered.

Prismacolor sobre Canson Mi Teintes (Based on the original "Le Petit Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)" par Oxana Zaika https://ar.pinterest.com/pin/400961173058074565/?lp=true )

Saint Anna lake in Transylvania for school

I've begun cutting apart my old sketchbooks and glueing them back together. The results of which are sometimes more interesting than the old drawings themselves. This saint is my favorite of my most recent bunch. She's the prettiest Christmas tree of all.

Painting || Acrylic on Canvas