Are You Mean-Spirited?

A few days ago I was at an art show where tens of thousands had the opportunity to see my paintings.  I saw two cute grandmothers which looked to be in their late seventies.  I greeted them with a smile, but I was surprised when they lashed out that I was “mean-spirited.”  As I tried to discuss the issues they simply couldn’t get past their own perceptions. They really feel that Obama wants to help us and anyone who is against him simply must not have a heart.  I know that many of these people mean well, but how can anyone be so blind?

I suppose they see Conservatives as “mean-spirited” because we don’t believe in the redistribution of wealth.  We believe that in order to have freedom we must have the freedom to succeed… or the freedom to fail; that the federal government has a limited role in our life.  We don’t believe in heavy taxes and spending our way out of a financial crisis.

It seems to me that part of the problem is that many in America suffer from apathy.  At a time in our history when we are so comfortable, even the poorest among us have more than the middle class enjoyed in the early part of the 20^th Century.  Some see the federal government as the answer to all their problems.  I think the federal government is the problem! 

What if your family was on the verge of bankruptcy?  Would you go out and buy a new luxury car and live like you won the lottery?  Would you write checks to all your favorite charitable organizations?  Would you think it appropriate to simply reduce your monthly credit card purchases, even though you had already maxed out the limit!  Would you be “mean-spirited” if you said “no” to such behavior? 

I don’t know how to get my message out in any other way than I am doing.  I hope Americans will wake up…get off your bench!  Let’s make the hard decisions that will truly save us as a nation.

Click on image to learn more about

"The Forgotten Man"

Beneath Golgotha

There truly is a face of a skull in the side of the hill just as I painted it. When on a research trip to the Holy Land I visited a place believed to be where Christ was crucified. It was called Golgotha or Calvary, which when translated means “place of the skull.” There is no geological formation around Jerusalem which resembles this spot. It is just North of the city a short distance from the Damascus Gate. Currently there is an Arab bus station beneath the hill. On the opposite side of the hill is the Garden Tomb.

Click on image to enlarge

This painting is very different from other Crucifixion scenes I have seen. Traditionally it would be painted on top of a hill and the cross would be straight and well crafted. I endeavored in every way to paint this scene as archeologically accurate as possible. The Savior’s body has just been pulled down from the cross and is being wrapped while the Roman guards gather together on the right side. The crosses are made from olive trees which would have been the common wood used for crucifixion. This image is both haunting and provocative to me as I consider the reality of my Lord’s final hours in mortality.

 Here is a picture of how it appears today from a different angle. 

Via Dolorosa is Almost Here!

We are just about to release the Via Dolorosa painting!  Currently, we are finishing up the video and I'm putting final touches on the interactive website to help explain the painting.  The main idea of this painting is to get people thinking about what it means to be a "true Christian."  What do you think is a true Christian?  This painting has over one hundred figures from history that left their footprint on Christianity.  The video will give a good idea of the point I'm trying to make.  I think it will certainly cause people to think.

 

To view the preview video click here.

Original Drawing GIVEAWAY!

This is the drawing that I used for the painting, “I Will Always Love You.” If you watch the video “The Face of Christ,” it is featured at about 30 seconds into the video. I figured those who take the time to enter this contest are deserving of the prize. Good Luck!  (Contest Rules Below)

Click on image to enlarge.

ONE PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED:
…the original drawing, “I Will Always Love You” accompanied by a written note authenticating the drawing and a few personal comments from myself.

TO ENTER:
* First, simply Facebook about this giveaway. Comment on the Facebook post that you went to http://www.youtube.com/user/McNaughtonArt and your favorite video was (name a video)

*Second, Sign up as a subscriber on my Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/McNaughtonArt and pick your favorite video and leave a comment of why you chose that particular video. Be sure to tell me your name so I can find you on Facebook to give you your prize.

*Giveaway will be closed by February 2, (Wednesday) and the winner will be announced on Thursday, February 3, 2011.

NOTE: We will use a computerized random number picker to choose the winner. I will do similar contests in the future to give away more original drawings. I don’t expect huge numbers of people to enter…so your chances may be better than average. Good luck!

Original Drawing GIVEAWAY!

By way of appreciation I will be giving away one of my original drawings to one of my Facebook fans! (CONTEST RULES BELOW)

In this contest I will give away the ORIGINAL CONCEPTUAL DRAWING for my painting, “The Forgotten Man.”  This drawing will be popular among collectors for its uniqueness.  You can see all my notes including each of the president’s heights and how I changed a few things as the painting progressed.  I figured those who take the time to enter this contest are deserving of the prize. Good Luck!

 Here is a zoomed in view of the drawing

Click image to enlarge

ONE PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED:
…the original “Conceptual Drawing for The Forgotten Man” accompanied by a written note authenticating the drawing and a few personal comments from myself.

TO ENTER:

*First, Sign up as a follower on my http://twitter.com/mcnaughtonart.  If you are not a member of Twitter yet SIGN UP.  Then write a short note under WHAT”S HAPPENING? that says the following…This painting of Obama and the presidents shows what is happening in America today! http://tinyurl.com/2fwqk4b

* Second, simply write something on this post about the Forgotten Man painting. Write your Twitter name so I can recognize you for the contest!

*Giveaway will be closed by January 28th, (Friday) and the winner will be announced on Saturday, January 29, 2011.

NOTE: We will use a computerized random number picker to choose the winner. I will do similar contests in the future to give away more original drawings. I don’t expect huge numbers of people to enter…so your chances may be better than average. Good luck!

Outside of the Box

A few days ago a young man visited with me in my gallery.  He declared that he was an atheist and that God could not exist because of all the ugliness in the world.  He had experienced a hard life and was filled with anger.  “Why should I believe in God?’ he exclaimed.  

Click on image to view short video

He had mentioned that he was a movie enthusiast, so I thought to remind him of the movie Gladiator. (One of my favorites)  Remember the beginning scene, just as he is about to go to war, Maximus smiles as he sees the bird singing on a branch near him.  He managed to find beauty in the midst of ugliness.  He then rubs his hands in the dirt and smells it to remind him of his home and family as he is about to go to battle.  In a world of chaos it is important to find the beauty and remember what is truly important. 

In my life I have chosen to view the world around me as if I’m outside of the box looking in.  This means that I don’t allow “the world” to decide who I will become.  I have chosen to create a world which is centered in God, family, country and all the things that are beautiful.  Although I recognize that there is chaos and ugliness in the world, I choose to FOCUS on the beauty which is around me.  And having room for God in your life opens the door to all things beautiful!

Remembering to stay “outside the box” is helpful in many ways.  If I receive praise or if I receive ridicule it is unimportant unless there is something to learn from it.  I don’t worry about what people think of me.  Only what the Lord thinks of me is important.  If I can make a difference, I will do it.  

Perhaps this perspective has helped to develop my sensitivity as an artist, but it also has helped me to draw closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I believe that God loves all of us and that there is a purpose that guides the affairs of men.  I believe that when we put our faith and trust in God, it elevates our spirits and we find ourselves capable to go beyond our physical efforts.  You might say we lay the foundation for miracles!   But God never forces us; it is a matter of choice. 

Although life is hard and sometimes cruel, if you view your experiences from “outside the box” looking in, I believe you will be able to see the divine purpose in your life.  You will find the world is more beautiful than you can imagine.

Jon McNaughton's Original Drawing GIVEAWAY!

We have a winner!  I want to thank all who participated in our contest for the original drawing of "Head Study of Christ."  I was emotionally moved as I read some of your posts regarding my work and this image.  I certainly have some of the best fans in the world!  I wish I could have given each of you one of my originals.  I plan to continue to give more of my drawings away over the coming weeks, so many of you will have a chance to win.  The winner of the contest is listed below...

The winner is.......TJ- Jen Bennett


(Why did I do this contest?)

A friend of mine suggested that I should give away some of these drawings to people who would really appreciate them.  This is one of the drawings from my personal files and it is a treasure to me.  I figured those who take the time to enter this contest are deserving of the prize.  

NOTE:  We will use a computerized random number picker to choose the winner.  I will do similar contests in the future to give away more original drawings.  I don’t expect huge numbers of people to enter…so your chances may be better than average.  Good luck in the future!