Joe Szimhart: consultant/artist

Liturgical series (a few samples)

Aesthetics informs religion as well as art. To me, religion is as much human aesthetics as it is revelation and inspiration. Our taste for God or Being must be expressed even if you sit still in a permanent trance somewhere like a statue, drawing, or rock that no one sees. However, it is much more interesting and relevant when someone does and can give us feedback.  

"Abba": 3 Marys   oil   40x30 in.  (exhibited at ArtStreet gallery, University of Dayton (May-June, 2011)

This study attempts to portray the moment before the death of the crucified Christ. The cool tones in extremities represent life withdrawing to warm tones in chest area, which in turn will resurrect in the divine "host" shape as the self or body empties itself in sacrifice. The 3 Mary's represent various connections to Christ: Left to right--through contemplation, experience, and service to others.

also used as illustration for link at http://godwillingmovie.com/

http://jszimhart.com/bible_cult

Lily, St Joseph Day 2012  oil on board 24x18     $450

almost Egyptian 19x13  monotype on paper  1987? sold to Hirshhorn family collection 

 D'Arc Cycle (Joan of Arc) 40x50 oil 2011      $2000

St Joan right to left as seer age 12, warrior and sacrificial saint age 19 (1431). Deuteronomy 22:5 written upside down on left: "A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this." The English Inquistors killed Joan for an Old Testament prohibition of ritual cross-dressing as practiced by pagan cults in ancient Canaan. 

lion with lamb  24x36  oil  2012        price optional

Although the phrase of “the lion shall lie down with the lamb” is one of the more popular quotes from the Bible, it’s really misquoted. In the King James version, it’s the wolf that dwells with the lamb, and it’s a leopard that lies down with a kid, and “the calf and the young lion and the fatling together.” (Isaiah 11:6) [wikipedia]

feeding Elijah  24x24  oil on baord   1988      $500

1Kings. 17: 1-6. Ravens, sent by God, nourished Elijah during his months of solitude at the Wadi Cherith (the Cutting Place).