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St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Tucson, AZ
· Reliquary
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About
Philosophy Liturgical The purpose of Liturgical Art is to assist in prayer, display the power of God, and instruct the faithful. To achieve these goals I use traditional and non-traditional symbols to support the content of my work. By the use of subtle symbology throughout a piece of art, it allows for exploration. This creates questions and it is from these questions that one learns more about their spirituality, their faith, their church and its traditions. Symbology is a powerful tool. Personal My personal work reflects my interest in Celtic Christian Spirituality and its relationship to Native American and other aboriginal cultures. It is through the saints of the Gaelic lands that I draw my inspiration. This has developed over the years having grown up in Arizona where there is a strong influence from Native American art. Combined with my Irish ancestry, I learned to respect the strong nature/spirituality connection which is found in both cultures. The mythology that defines this spirituality is merely another form of symbology which I use to help create an understanding of the theological journey of the individual.
Biography I learned the basics from my artist father, renowned Western Artist Vic Donahue. I received a formal education from the University of Arizona where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (1980) in Studio Art and a minor study in Art History. Following graduation I worked in art related professions including: scientific illustration, staff graphic artist, and television production specialist before devoting full-time to my art.
As my worked evolved, I began doing more and more art for the Church. To better understand my new direction, I started an independent study regime, taking continuing education courses such as Liturgical Art and Architecture from the University of St. Mary’s of the Lake, Mundelein, IL and Religious Symbology from various unstructured sources. |
