March 2024 Art Update
Off the Easel!
Here are all the cool projects I was able to finish this month! Which one’s your favorite?
Holy Name Triptychs
5 years in the making…and they were finally revealed on Easter morning! This month I had the extreme satisfaction and joy to finish up the Pentecost triptych and completing this marathon of a project.
As a part of the finishing touches, I added tongues of fire emanating from the Holy Spirit, I painted the cross in St. Michael’s shield a more vibrant gold, and I added very subtle stars descending upon Mary as a reference to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I couldn’t have asked for a better day to celebrate Our Lord’s resurrection and these paintings.
This upcoming quarter, I plan on getting some high quality pics to turn these into prints and planning a dedication night with praise and worship and talks. Stay tuned for all of these exciting releases! And in the meantime, plan your trip to view these in person at any of our weekday or weekend masses.
1001 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66103
Weekday Masses: Tuesday - Friday 5:15pm (adoration and confessions start at 4:15)
Weekend Masses: Saturday at 4pm, Sunday at 8:30am and 10:30am
I was also honored to be the subject of a new documentary from Grotto Network to be released sometime this summer!
Will You Also Leave?
To pair with This is my Body, I created this one titled Will You Also Leave? based off Jesus’ question in John 6 where he gives his apostles the opportunity to leave him if they do not accept the truth of the Eucharist.
31% of Catholics don’t believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist at mass. I pray that this image will help inspire a new “wrestling” in the hearts of all Christians to find themselves face to face with Christ who desires intimacy with them.
Read more of my reflections on these paintings here.
This 11”x14” painting is AVAILABLE for purchase! Reach out if you’re interested in acquiring this piece.
These paintings were also featured in Heartland Community Church’s exhibition: An Exploration of Hope, Doubt and Faith.
At the opening night, Colette and I were blessed to have many conversations about the strange reality of Jesus in the Eucharist. Many had never heard this teaching and I’m hopeful that the Holy Spirit will invite them to contemplate what Jesus really meant when he said we must eat his body and drink his blood.
These paintings are on display at the church through April 7th!
The Muirhead’s
Jack and Emmanuella had a beautiful wedding at the Elms hotel in Excelsior Springs!
Jack’s mom hired me to surprise them with a live wedding painting for their big day and it turned out amazing! You could really feel the love as Emmanuella’s family sang African chants and prayers throughout the day!
On the Easel
These paintings are just beginning or reaching the end! Currently in progress!
Benedictine proposal
Benedictine college sent out a call for proposals for paintings for their new library they’re building. They want portraits of Sts. Benedict and Scholastica as well as an “artist’s choice” image to reflect their dedication to education in a community. I went for a “Jesus, our rabbi” idea. Jury’s out if I’ll be accepted so say a prayer! If not, I’m sure these designs will go to use for another purpose.
This is my Body repaint
A client loved my original painting, but wanted a larger version with just Jesus on a white background. I actually love that I get another chance at painting this image - hopefully even better than the original!
This is My Body prints are still available!
The release of these prints went better than I could have ever anticipated! I sold more prints in a weekend than in a single month.
For that, I am grateful.
If you still haven’t snagged one of these prints or Healing in the Eucharist prayer cards, get them today!
Field trip with my students to
the Nelson-Atkins museum
Thank You!!
March was busy busy! I’m honestly shocked how many paintings I was able to complete this month. This was definitely a milestone quarter and lots of exciting things are percolating. Thank you to everyone who bought a print during my big This is My Body drop. I definitely want to lean into offering more prints in the future.
Know of my prayers for you as I continue to paint and answer this call from the Lord. I pray that this Easter season brings new life, joy, and freedom into the places that have become numb.
God bless you and Happy Easter!
-Mattie
P.S. I also wrote a short testimony for The Jesus in my Heart blog. You can read it here!
