The Child Jesus

Jesus of St. Teresa - Terry Nelson, 2011
acrylic on canvas, 9x12

I found a photo of a little Hispanic boy whose facial expression seemed rather intense - reminding me of the Child Jesus. I decided to paint him holding his Sacred Heart. The Child Jesus is said to have appeared as an ordinary young boy to some saints, who at first did not recognize him. I concluded that he most likely appeared disguised as an ordinary boy dressed in the clothes of the period, until he revealed that he was indeed the Christ. Teresa of Avila and Lucia of Fatima had such experiences. When the Child Jesus appeared to Teresa he asked her, "Who are you?" She replied she was Teresa of Jesus, and asked the boy who he was, and he replied, "I am Jesus of Teresa." Hence the title of the painting.

Cat

Cat - Terry Nelson 2011
acrylic on canvas, 12" x 16"

In memory of a cat who died last year.

St. Sebastian - finished.

St. Sebastian - Terry Nelson 2011
acrylic on clayboard.

I finished the retouches to the panel, although it may not be noticeable to many. I detailed the entire composition. It is the best I can do.

A reader asked me why I paint Sebastian.

Years ago a very good priest whom I admire very much, told me in confession to choose a martyr patron to help me live chastely, explaining the martyrs are such powerful intercessors and protectors when it comes to freeing souls from bondage to sin. Since my youth I admired St. Sebastian since he seemed the perfect model for boys to emulate, a soldier with the appearance of an athlete, faithful to Christ amidst persecution and so on. I was intrigued that the saint endured two martyrdoms, as it were, almost killed by arrows, the saint survived to be bludgeoned to death.

If memory serves me, Sebastian was regarded as one of the Holy Helpers, as such his cult was popular throughout Europe. During the baroque period his image decorated just about every church. His cult spread throughout the New World and in modern times he continues to be venerated by many.

Sebastian drawing.

I haven't been able to re-shoot my former image of St. Sebastian.  I detailed it quite a bit more after studying the photos, and it is pretty much finished, save for varnish and framing.  I'll post the new photos when they are finished.  I like the panel very much as it reminds me of a scene from an old film, The Garden of the Finzi Contini.  There was an execution scene in the film which took place in a wood in the middle of winter.  I left out the snow. 
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I thought of doing another smaller image for a retablo frame.  I began the drawing on paper, shown above, but will most likely leave it at that for now.  The sketch reminded me of the January Magnificat cover depicting a study for the Adoration of the Magi by Rembrandt.  So I thought I'd post this sketch, as if I'm a great painter.  LOL!
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I rarely, if ever do finished drawings - unless I'm using pastels or crayons, and when it comes to painting, I more or less draw everything with my brush - as the above scan demonstrates.  I have done paintings on paper, but I'm not sure I should invest that much time on this piece.  I'm trying to beat Guido Reni's record for painting works depicting St. Sebastian.  No - I do not compare myself to Reni.

The latest "Sebastian"

"St. Sebastian 2011" by Terry Nelson
Acrylic on cradled clayboard. 9"x12"
Natural light photo w/Canon Power Shot A540
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Christmas Cards?

Mrs. Rabitowitz

Mrs. Rabitowitz, A Portrait - Terry Nelson, 2010.

Acrylic on canvas.