“Happy All the Time” (portrait of Tobias Robert Evans and Father William Sirr; Glasshampton Monastery, Worcestshire. 1930/2023)
Pencil, pastel, and drybrush.
2023 (definitively NFS)
“Walk cheerfully over the earth answering to that of God in everyone.” — George Fox
Father William Sirr, SDC, was an important figure in the re-emergence of the contemplative life in the Church of England (and founder of Glasshampton Monastery). He’s not on Facebook, but Tobias Robert Evans is……and his postings are wonderful (at least I think so, and I look forward to them). Friend him for a regular dose of commonsense & faith (he doesn’t skip the “ordinary life” parts).
I should emphasize that this wasn’t at all a commissioned project. I did it just because I wanted to do so, on this rainy Sunday. afternoon. The title came easily/immediately.
People (particularly American protestants) are just…….so f****g WEIRD (and, as a very general rule, offensively ignorant/free with their “opinions”) about orthodox faith and CERTAINLY anything to do with monks/nuns/friars/etcetera. I’ve learned to never discuss religion with most folks, but only because I usually want to smack them (hard) on the head for sloppy thinking. Rather obviously, this disqualifies me for any sort of job in the Religious Life.
The title is taken from this old song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B68na-p6J4
For more, so to speak, about Glasshampton, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_xBqheCQP8