St Francis of Assisi. 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
Francis of Assisi (1282-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. His faith became paramount over anything worldy and he is perhaps most known for his love of nature - feeling that all God's creations were part of his brotherhood; the humble sparrow as much his brother as the Pope.
I felt inspired to pay tribute through this spontaneous drawing, to this great Saint on his Feast Day, October 4th; looking intially at a small prayer card and studies of North American birds made on location at a nature reserve in New York State in February 2010.
My heart often feels with America; and so, though Francis of Assisi preached in Italy, I feel now as Saint in Heaven, he would be preaching to all the birds of the world. Included here are interpretations of N. American birds including the Mourning Dove, Cardinal, Slate- Colored Junco & Anna's Hummingbird.
Charcoal on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
St Francis of Assisi. 2011 by Stephen B Whatley
Francis of Assisi (1282-1226) was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher. His faith became paramount over anything worldy and he is perhaps most known for his love of nature - feeling that all God's creations were part of his brotherhood; the humble sparrow as much his brother as the Pope.
I felt inspired to pay tribute through this spontaneous drawing, to this great Saint on his Feast Day, October 4th; looking intially at a small prayer card and studies of North American birds made on location at a nature reserve in New York State in February 2010.
My heart often feels with America; and so, though Francis of Assisi preached in Italy, I feel now as Saint in Heaven, he would be preaching to all the birds of the world. Included here are interpretations of N. American birds including the Mourning Dove, Cardinal, Slate- Colored Junco & Anna's Hummingbird.
Charcoal on paper
23.4 x 16.5in/59 x 42cm
Prayer of St Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen