The Crucifix Book

A good friend once who commented to me, "I hate the crucifix." I can't say I blame him. It's a brutal image of a tortured man, and there's no reason in the world why anyone should enjoy seeing it. And yet, as a Catholic, it means a lot to me. The crucified Jesus, suffering not only for us but with us. With me; it's a very personal image. A few years ago I filled up a 6" x 6" sketchbook with nothing but these pencil drawings of the impaled and naked Jesus. They were never meant to be made public, but I think today that it's time to share them. Some are more naturalistic and portray the suffering man, while others I find to be more stylized and emblematic. I don't know if any of them are completely successful. But, of course, it is only a sketchbook. I have never attempted a finished drawing or painting on this theme, of any scale or with any set intention. And I don't know if I would. Maybe...

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