Artistic Bombshells...

Coptic Christ...

2011-08-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

... this is a Coptic inspired image of Christ. The skin tone is too pink and it needs some type of border. I haven't decided what yet. Roman columns and flowers would ruin it.

St. Denis of Paris...

2011-08-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

... I think I am going to go back over this one and add a columned border like the image below before adding the prayer on the back and laminating it. I also like the saint's name being inked in the halo nimbus. I am playing with different styled halos, trying to break away from the floating dinner plate.

St. Dominic...

2011-08-01T07:25:00.000-07:00

... this image was initially St. Peter of Verona, but I took the big knife out of his head and it looked more like Dominic to me, so I went with it. I tried using crayons for the black so the fabric folding detail would still be visible, as opposed to inking in the entire piece of cloth of solid black.

I loathe the end result. I'm going to leave the crayons where they belong, with my son's back-to-school supplies.

I do like the columns; however, and have decided to carry that theme on the borders of future holy cards and greeting cards. It looks more masculine than flowers and I can get as ornate or plain as I like.

St. Ignatius of Loyola...

2011-07-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Immaculate Conception

2011-07-20T07:18:00.000-07:00

Again, this is not the best. I like the color but it just accentuate the lack of detail in the face and hands. I see where I need to concentrate harder. Originally done in black and white.

Teresa of Avila...

2011-07-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

eh. I'm not happy with this one. Maybe I will go back and add a nice border.

holy cards...

2011-07-18T05:42:00.000-07:00

... below is the beginnings of a series of handmade holy cards.

St. Mary Magdalene

St. Thomas Beckett

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Anne

Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi"

2011-07-14T07:10:00.000-07:00

A new Leonardo has been found! Read more.

St. Matthew...

2011-07-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

Immaculate Conception...

2011-07-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

... a quick after dinner doodle.

busy busy...

2011-07-08T10:59:00.000-07:00

... well this is quite a pleasant surprise. It looks like over the course of the next few months I will be designing some Christmas and Easter cards to be sold locally through various Catholic distributors.

I am still going to be doing doodles for my own pleasure and I plan on expanding that into hard-made holy cards. We'll see. Anyway, just thought I would pass on some good news.

Catholic Magpies...

2011-07-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

... I recently referred to myself as a Catholic Magpie, in that I am attracted to shiny things in the liturgy. This has sparked my imagination and I am working on a illustration to represent this theme.

In Christian symbolism the magpie had gotten a bad rap. It can represent a misfortune or a thieving person, for the birds penchant to covet shiny things. Sometimes a magpie is used as an allegory for the deadly sin of greed.

I think they are lovely birds whose plumage reminds me of a Dominican habit.

In my mind I picture a tiding of magpies gathered on branches of a tree clutching in their beaks various bits of shiny ecclesiastical baubles. Each bird would be a particular saint that was devoted to liturgy, an artist, or some other thing in relation. Their names would be written on the leaves of the branches each bird is perched on. Since they remind me of Dominicans, the saints would be Dominican. Perhaps. I have to stretch my imagination and knowledge of saints.

Something like this...

What saints can you think of that fit this description?

St. John...

2011-07-05T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Pelican in Her Piety...

2011-07-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

... the Pelican in Her Piety is an allegorical depiction of Christ. In bestiaries, the heraldic mother pelican plucks at her own breast in order to draw blood for to nurture her young. This is known as vulning, in Latina vulnera, where the word 'vulnerable' is derived.

It is an image of self sacrifice.

Evangelists...

2011-07-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

... it's pretty basic now but I intend to add more color for a stained glass effect.

A Little Art Humor...

2011-06-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

... cheer up. Tomorrow is the start a three day weekend. I will posting some more completed drawings over my much anticipated time off. In the meantime, please enjoy a little Savage Chickens.

Symbolism...

2011-06-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

... in Christian art, symbolism is heavily used. To recognize and understand its use rewards one with a deeper meaning of the image.

Saints, Signs and Symbols.

Artistic Integrity ...

2011-06-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

... Dear Lord; I solemnly vow to never depict you with blond hair and blue eyes or give you the likeness of a girl with a beard. Amen.

St. Luke ...

2011-06-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

... the patron saint of Bombshells. Naturally.

Maarten Van Heemskerck

welcome art critics and lovers...

2011-06-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

... to an entirely new blog devoted to all things art. Originally, The Crescat was going to be the forum for that; but then I went off on a tangent and never found my way back. Don't worry, I will still have my Fine Art Fridays and Russian Art features on other blog. More or less, Bombshells will feature drawings that I am working on or completed and sprinkled with various images I use for inspiration.

All my doodles can be purchased and I even take requests.

St. Luke...

2011-06-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

... a pen and ink reproduction of Albrecht Durer's St. Luke.

The Annunciation...

2011-06-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

... it's a little fuzzy. What can I say. I'm not a photographer. I have the one above in stock but I can draw another and offer to personalize it with a color preference if you desire. The size 5x7, but I can do a larger or smaller image. This image is also available as a holy card. The buy now button is just for this one; however, if you are interested in a different size just contact me.

The Four Evangelists...

2011-06-26T12:18:00.000-07:00

... a framed drawing I did in 2008.

This particular piece is sold; but the design is still available for purchase upon request. I am going to make another one and add color and more detail.

The Four Gospel Writers...

2011-06-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

... this drawing hangs in the guest house of the Maryvale Sisters Convent.