I have to say, trying to capture the likeness of Pope John Paul II has been a very difficult task for me.  He is a man whose face is well known throughout the world, making it all the more important to capture the smallest details just right.

As I made my multiple attempts to draw this man of deep faith, I found my pictures lacking a certain "spark of life".  That spark I am referring to is when I create a portrait and although it is dimensionally correct, it is missing that "spark" which makes that person who they are.  For me, it is this "spark" that makes a portrait complete.  Not the accuracy of the dimensions or the details of the linework.  Instead, it is that capturing of the personality which makes it complete.

I was missing that.

So I began to reflect more and more on the "Who" instead of the details.  It is through this process that I find portrait work such an intimate experience.  So much of our everyday communication is done through non-verbal communication or body language.  (I think it makes up approx. 80% of our communication.)  So for me, when I am studying a person's features, I feel I get to know them on a deeper level.  Their pictures "speak" to me and reveal much about the person I am drawing.

I realized after my first few attempts that I was neglecting this process with my portrayal of the Pope.  I was too worried about getting the details right.  I was putting too much pressure on myself to "get it right".  Once I realized this, I opened myself to God and asked him to guide me in this process.

I asked whether or not I should continue?  I felt God speak into my heart, "Yes".

With that answer, I placed all the pressure I was feeling about this picture, at the feet of God and asked him to settle my mind and allow me to move forward without woories, boubts, or fears.

Thje next morning, when I awoke, I felt the inspiration to dive right into this.  I was able to study a wide variety of pictures of Pope John Paul II.  But this time, I was leaving myself open to "hear" what his pictures were telling me. 

In the case of the Pope, the pictures told me things I already knew...but I knew them on some type of surface level.  In this process, I was able to go below the surface and really get to "know" the Pope on a far deeper level then before.  This was a man of unbelievable strength with the humility to weild it properly.  He was a man of peace, but willing to risk his very life (not the lives of others) to achieve it.  He was a man who knew personal sacrifice, but did not become jaded from the experiences.  He was a man who achieved great heights in his lifetime, but did not see himself above others.  

Upon these thoughts, I was able to realize that the pictures I had attempted were not capturing these qualities.  I smiled to myself and thanked God for what he was about to create through me.

Then I found many photos which showed the Pope in prayer or moments of contemplation.  This was it!  Once I had found it, I was able to quickly create the sketch above in a few short hours.

After I completed the sketch, I uploaded it to the computer and began the coloring process.  In the main photo I was using as a reference, the Pope was wearing a red robe.  Personally, I do not know the "official" reasons for his different robes, but for me, it was symbolic of his being covered by the blood of Christ.

It is with this thought that I decided to add red to the background with the light of God shining upon Pope John Paul II.  In this way, I am symbolizing how this man has submerged himself fully into the salvation of Jesus and is bathing in it.

Once I was able to complete the digital painting of the portrait, I decided to add something to it.  I was looking at various scriptures, but did not find anything that "felt" right.  I thought about just putting his name on it, but that also did not "feel" right.

Then it struck me.

Why not use an actual quote.  He is the most quoted Pope in history and has said many great things throughout his lifeime.  I promptly did a seach for "Pope John Paul Quotes" and found a large selection to choose from.  One personal favorite of mine was, "Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it." 

Unfortunately, this quote did not fit with the intentions of the picture.  There were a number of other quotes that were great, but one in particular jumped out at me.  It says, "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."

I knew this was it.  As soon as I read it this picture suddenly took on a meaning of its own.  When combined with this deep, introspective, and prayerful portrait of Pope John Paul II, this completed portrait speaks out to the very reason we have freedom in Christ, as well as freedom in this country.

Both of these freedoms were founded upon the very basic need for us to worship and seek our Creator, the one true God, without fear or persecution from our governments and/or neighbors.

The final step of this process was to decide how to use this picture.  I've decided to place items for sale which feature this portrait and donate 50% of the Net Proceeds to "Miissionaries of Charity Fathers" - founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, they are committed to carrying on her charism within the ministerial priesthood, exercised in the service of the Poor as privileged bearers of the mystery of Jesus' presence and passion in the world today.  If you would like to learn more about them, you can click here and visit their website.

To purchase items featuring this portrait, just click on any of the portraits above to visit the eStore.  Remember, 50% of the Net Proceeds go to the "Missionaries of Charity Fathers" founded by Mother Teresa.