I have spent most of my adult life as a teacher of Oil Painting, fine artist, and lecturer.
I am reminded of the writings of Albert Pike “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others remains and is immortal.” So it is with Fine Art.
Six years ago, at age 65 I decided to pursue a series of figurative canvases depicting the mysteries of the Rosary.
An artist must bring to the canvas his own transferable forms of passion, not just illustration.
To fulfill this requirement for the Annunciation panel I added to the narrative the offering of flowers. Roses to Mary and lillies to Gabriel. I made the setting the ruins of the ancient temple. With this birth comes the new covenant. Painted into the smokey surroundings are images that foretold the events in the life of Christ.
Upon completion of the paintings a suitable place to display them was found - the Annex building at St. Patrick Church in Mystic. It turned out to be the perfect place to create a shrine where people could come to view the paintings and pray in silence.
The annex is open for quiet meditation Sundays from 7:30 am to 12 noon. A video of the paintings can be seen below.
By Dr. Michael Sullo
