ARTIST: Richard L. George
Richard L George, Artist
In Short:
Richard is a Catholic artist who although studied art at different schools, he received a B.A. in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Over the years Richard has been blessed with the opportunities of exploring and learning a variety of artistic styles, techniques, and mediums including: fine art, graphic art, Iconography, digital 2D and 3D art & animation using everything from oils, pastels, watercolor, acrylic, egg tempera to digital 2d and 3d computer programs.
Ever since the first religious art piece that he did of the Nativity in 1988, Richard has enjoyed numerous religious art commissions. In addition, he has worked for 10 years as a 3D production artist/animator at an engineering firm, helping him to develop a greater attention to detail in his artwork.
The agony and the ecstasy of my life's journey as an artist . . .
It all began when I was just 2 years old. I looked on in awe as my Uncle Bernard sketched my Dad and Mom with speed, accuracy and attention to every detail . . .
Even though I was only 2 years old I noticed right away that he made my parents look even better than they were.
My uncle was full Irish and had the wit to match. So naturally I was completely taken by him and not just his artistic ability. It was from that moment that I first wanted to be an accomplished artist.
I remember waiting with anticipation of his next visit but I never saw him again.
A few years later I learned that just a few months after I had watched him draw my Dad and Mom he had died of rampant cancer.
I lamented the fact that I would not ever see him again, nor have his friendship, not to mention his guidance in becoming an accomplished artist myself.
In addition, some of my relatives began to ridicule and deride me for my love for art. Having witnessed the difficult path my uncle had to traverse in order to become an accomplished artist, they did not want that for me.
And what's more, art was not offered as part of the curriculum at my catholic grade school.
Still, all of that did not dampen my love for art nor the desire to become an accomplished artist. It was like a fire inside me feeding and growing.
Therefore, I became more resourceful and frequented the public library, checking out books on art so that I might continue to learn and develop my artistic talent.When I was 9 years old a several important things happened in my life:
I received the gift of the Sacrament of Confirmation. (recently I came across a quote form Saint Peter Damian, “He pours light into our minds, arouses our desire and gives us strength . . . As the soul is the life of the body, so the Holy Spirit is the life of our souls.”)
I began the commitment of daily personal prayer and then reading of the New Testament.
I went from making art for arts-sake to making art as a way of conveying a message.
And most importantly, I encountered the presence of Our Blessed Mother.
Encountering the very real presence of Our Blessed Mother . . . to be continued on www.rlgeorge.artMission:
My mission, like every baptized Christian, is first and foremost to participate in the work of Evangelization.
And just as all believers are called to bear witness that in Christ, God the Father has reconciled the world to Himself, I choose to do so through art and in art.
Inspired by Saint Pope John Paul II and encouraged by his appeal to artists, I look to "craft" and present artistic works that witness redemption and lift heart and mind to God . . . with each prayer, each choice, and every stroke of the brush, my desire is to present opportunities for moments of God's grace and mercy for others.
