Thursday’s winners!

Congratulations to Thursday’s winners! I sent emails to everyone on this list this morning. Please check your inbox for a message that I couldn’t figure out how to say without sounding super spammy.

Here are Thursday’s winners:

Copy of SGNFP: Keisha Griswold
Woman, How Great Thou Art by Theresa Martin: Emily Tyson Lie

“Sensation” massage oil from Young Living: Kaitlyn 
one volume of the Summa: Amy Enloe 
Pope Francis Magnets: Molly Baxter 
Listen, My Son by Dwight Longenecker: Courtney Simenson 
Organic gift pack from Radiantly You: Jennifer McWethy 
New Wave Feminists T-shirt: Rose Ripplinger 
Maite Roche board book: Kelly Link Carruth
Lilla Rose Voucher: Jennifer Bunch Julius 
Three CDs from Marie Bellet: Laura Hensley 
Creighton Intro Class and discount from This Cross: Rachel LaPointe 
ClearBlue Fertility Monitor: Jennifer Werth 

 

I’ll have Friday’s contest post up as soon as I can. The Patheos upgrade is probably wonderful and magnificent in some way that I can’t appreciate yet; but in the meantime, most of the pictures have evaporated, so I need to redo them. Will have it up as soon as I can. I will set the Rafflecopter form to accept entries for 24 hours from whenever the post finally appears.

Baby-Comp, Baby-Comp, oh Baby Baby Baby . . .

We are in the final hours of the Winner’s Guide to NFP contest, day 5. Still time to enter!

And here is something else: on Monday, I will be giving away a Baby-Comp (and the Rafflecopter form should be working fine now!)

 

 

Yep, a Baby-Comp! This lovely little gadget retails between $400-$500, if you can find it for sale. It’s a first generation model, brand new. You can use this device to help you either plan or avoid conception. The raffle begins today, and will remain open until Monday.

And who is our generous sponsor? The Natural Baby Company of Austin, TX.  Because the next generation of the Lady Comp just came out, they only have one of the first generation models left in stock, and have offered to pass it on to one of you.

 

 

The Natural Baby Company is a boutique that specializes in all-natural baby products, including cloth diapers, baby gear, baby feeding products, carriers, wraps, dolls and toys, and baby health and wellness products.

The Natural Baby Company is a friendly place!  Proprietor  Whitney Smith LeBlanc says:

We have a Natural Family Planning Chit-Chat happening at our store on August 3rd (Sunday) from 3-5. Its a safe place for women to ask questions, talk about their experience and trials and learn more about Natural Family Planning.

Amazing! I wish we had one in NH.  If you are lucky enough to be in driving distance of The Natural Baby Company, definitely stop by and check it out!

Remember, this is a separate contest from the Winner’s Guide contests. This one is just to win this Baby-Comp. There is only one prize, and there are only two ways to enter: by “liking” their Facebook page, and by signing up for their mailing list. (For the mailing list sign-up, click on “invent your own option” and then follow the link.) YOU MUST USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW TO BE ENTERED, AND YOU MUST ENTER BOTH WAYS!

Good luck — and thank you, Natural Baby Company!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The WINNER’S Guide to NFP, giveaway day 4! No pear tree for you!

Today, blah blah blah something something NFP woo hoo prizes something something oh lord it’s hot.  Look, are you aware of NFP? Good for you, so am I. Prizes here now.

Oh, and don’t forget, if you want to win a Baby Comp, that’s  a whole separate contest!Check it out.

 –1–

The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning, autographed to your specs

 

[img attachment=”83113″ size=”full” alt=”download” align=”aligncenter”]

 

sponsored by Johnny L., who definitely read my book, understands NFP, loves it with all his heart, and wants more people to know about it.

–2–

One autographed copy of Woman, How Great Thou Art by Theresa Martin of New Feminism Rising

 

[img attachment=”83119″ size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher download 2″ align=”aligncenter”]

 

When you think about NFP, do you wonder what the Church really thinks about women? This easy read is rich in content and brings the reader on an exploration of the great dignity of woman! It’s the conversation before the NFP conversation. You’ll be surprised to find out the ideology that was behind the creation of “the Pill” and how salvation history points towards the greatness of her femininity. Written in a conversational style, Martin covers all the hot topics (Eve’s fault, male only priesthood, marriage, “subordination”, Mary, feminist movement, contraception, nfp …) but in a way that makes it easy to understand. You’ll love it!

–3–

Young Living Massage Oil “Sensation” sponsored by Tammy Helms Meyers of Essentially Fit + Healthy

 

[img attachment=”83115″ size=”full” alt=”nfp-prize-sensation-oil” align=”aligncenter”]

Tammy is Young Living Member #1533281. This oil retails for around $45!

–4–

One NovAntiqua Latin-English edition of the Summa Theologiae. Winner may choose any volume, including the soon-to-be-released Volume VII sponsored  by NovAntiquaeditor Heidi Keiser

[img attachment=”83116″ size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher summavii_cover” align=”aligncenter”]

It is the hope of those responsible for this edition, that having the original Latin text and a respected English translation side by side will not only give those who are not ready to tackle the of Saint Thomas unaided access to his own words, but will inspire them and assist them in their pursuit of this language. They will likely discover, as many have before them, that Thomas is more easily understood in the tongue in which he wrote than he is in any other.

The English translation that the NovAntiqua edition utilizes is the translation of the Dominican Fathers of the English Province, often known as the “Benziger,” after its first U.S. publisher. The translation is the most widely used English translation, appreciated for its overall faithfulness to the Latin of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The text is arranged in a parallel-column format, Latin on the left and English on the right.

 

And can we just pause for a moment to savor that notion that, when you’re a Catholic, you don’t think there’s anything strange about wanting the massage oil and the Summa?
Okay, moving along . . .

 –5–

Package of 10 Pope Francis Family Magnets

 

[img attachment=”83117″ size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher X1634_300″ align=”aligncenter”]

 

Here’s a gentle reminder for every member of the family — a magnet bearing Pope Francis’ advice to be ready always to say “please, sorry, and thank you” to family members. Showing courtesy, humility, and gratitude toward the family helps make peace and love flourish in the home. Post this magnet on the refrigerator, on the back door, on the family bulletin board, or anywhere it’s sure to be seen and acted on.

This prize is a package of ten magnets. Keep some, spread the rest around!

–6–

Listen My Son: St. Benedict for Fathers by Dwight Longenecker

[img attachment=”83120″ size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher download 3″ align=”aligncenter”]

 

Listen, My Son (the opening words of Benedict’s Rule) breaks the Rule into small daily portions and provides commentary specifically geared to help men be better husbands and parents. Without underestimating the emotional, spiritual, and physical demands of fatherhood, Longenecker also holds up the joys of developing a strong bond with God — one that nurtures the individual man, and that provides him with the ability to grow himself and his family in faithfulness, service, and love.

Sounds good! The Rule of St. Benedict is such a gem of good sense and compassion. I’d love to hear Fr. Longenecker’s take on it.

 –7–

Tea Tree Shampoo Bar, Orange Soap Bar, Lemon Foaming Hand Soap, and All-Natural Counter Spray Ifor every surface in your home) by Samantha McCarty of Radiantly You.

 

 

Samantha says:

I am a stay at home mom blessed with 4 children 5 and under and I sell personal care and cleaning products that are all gluten/gmo/toxin/chemical free, at affordable prices, with most ingredients purchased through Fair Trade. All products are hand made in micro batches in upstate New York.  I will send the winner directly a Tea Tree Shampoo Bar, Orange Soap Bar, Lemon Foaming Hand Soap and All-Natural Counter Spray (counter spray can be used to clean EVERY surface in your home).  Anyone can contact me directly through my website.

From Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa of New Wave Feminists:

–8– 

 

Oooh. Just the thing for you teen to wear on the first day of school! Take no prisoners.

–9–

Maite Roche My First Prayers for My Family (has “sample” sticker on the cover, but it is in like new condition)

[img attachment=”83121″ size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher download 4″ align=”aligncenter”]

 

Charming four-color pictures help introduce very young children to prayers that celebrate the blessings of family life. Included are prayers giving thanks for our parents and the gift of our baptism. There are also warm and gentle petitions for pardon and for the departed members of our family.

Ages 2 and up

Maite Roche is the Catholic children’s author who gives me hope for the future of Catholic children’s books! I wrote about her warm, luminous illustrations here.
Note: this book is a sample, and is brand new, but has a sticker that says “sample” on the cover.  Donated by my BILB (brother-in-law’s brother), John Herreid, who also designed my book’s cover, which is my favorite thing ever.

–10–

Voucher for a Lilla Rose item from Monique Krestyn

Monique says:

I sell beautiful, durable, and incredibly effective hair jewelry – bobby pins, hair sticks, headbands, and more.  Our unique Flexi-Clip is available in seven sizes, perfect for any hair style and for hair from baby-fine to super-thick.
Winner gets a Lilla Rose item of her choice, but in keeping with voucher rules, she must be a new Lilla Rose customer and a US or Canadian resident.

It’s true, Lilla Rose products are pretty, durable, and easy to use, and they work with all my kids’ hair, which ranges from silky to coarse to curly.

–11–

A set of three CD’s by Marie Bellet, celebrated Catholic singer, songwriter, mother of nine.

 

[img attachment=”83114″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”May 22, 2011. Photos of the Bellet family by Kats Barry” caption=”May 22, 2011. Photos of the Bellet family by Kats Barry” /]

 

The albums: New Springtime, Lighten Up, and Ordinary Time.

A lone voice calling for a return to family in the midst of a materialist world, Marie Bellet writes authentic Americana songs that take the listener away from the distractions and conventions of pop culture and focus upon the importance of sacrificial love. Much like the singer/songwriters she listened to growing up, she moves off the glamorous beaten path and tells deceptively simple stories that make larger statements about hardship, heartbreak, redemption, and renewal within the real world.

“I write about the life I know, from something as simple as getting through a trip to the grocery store with a bunch of kids to something as difficult as watching a son deploy to Afghanistan. I want to tell others that sacrifice is not stupidity or victimization. It is noble. It is transformative. It is love.”

–12–

One introductory class of Creighton via Skype, plus a 20% discount on follow-up classes by Amy Sherlock of This Cross I Embrace

 

[img attachment=”83118″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”blog simcha fisher crms” /]

 

Creighton Model can be used in 3 ways: to avoid pregnancy, to achieve pregnancy, and to monitor and maintain gynecologic health.  Creighton will also increase the efficacy of any NaPro Technology medical attention that may be needed.

Amy at This Cross I Embrace has been a user of Creighton Model for 8 1/2 yrs, and a Practitioner working in a NaPro Technology office for 7 yrs.
She has particular strengths in working with other couples with infertility, as well as breastfeeding couples.

–13–

And . . . a ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor in a pear tree!*

 

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sponsored by an anonymous well-wisher!

*pear tree not included. Apparently they attract wasps anyway.

Okey dokey! So you know the routine by now: enter below by using the Rafflecopter form which may or may not appear at the end of this post, depending on sunspots aligning or something, who knows?

Below is a list of all the prizes that have been, are, and will be listed this week! I went through and fixed a bunch of bum links – sorry about that! If you are a sponsor and do not see your name on this list, please contact me asap!

RELIGIOUS ITEMS and MATERIALS

Two rosaries by Ever Ancient, Ever New: Knotted Gemstone Rosaries by Betsy Archibald
Five packets of Pope Francis Family Magnets, ten pieces each
St. Patrick rosary men’s rosary in black onyx and hand cast bronze by Julie of The Peaceful Bead
Crocheted Rosary Pouch by Kelly McClintock
Gift certificate to Apostleship of Prayer by Grace Urbanski

BOOKS

Something Other Than God: How I Passionately Sought Happiness and Accidentally Found It autographed by Jennifer Fulwiler
Bundle of three books from OSV
Forming Intentional Disciples autographed by Sherry Weddell
Your choice of an autographed book by Mark Shea
Blessed, Beautiful, & Bodacious autographed by Pat Gohn
Listen My Son: St. Benedict for Fathers by Dwight Longenecker
Latin-English edition of the Summa Theologiae, winner’s choice of which volume, including the soon-to-be-released Volume VII sponsored by NovAntiqua editor Heidi Keiser
Spice Up Your Marriage: A 28-Day Adventure (for Kindle) by Hallie Lord
How the First Christians Changed Dying autographed by Billy Kangas
five copies of The Sinner’s Guide to NFP autographed by me
Holy Sex! by Greg Popcak
Classroom Management for Catechists autographed by Jen Fitz, sponsored by St. Francis Catholic Books & Gifts Shop
Four copies of Maite Roche’s My First Prayers for My Family
The Handbook for Catholic Moms autographed by Lisa Hendey
Theology of the Body, Extended: The Spiritual Signs of Childbirth, Impairment, and Dying by Susan Windley-Daoust (a.k.a. The Ironic Catholic)
Two copies each of How Far Can We Go? Leah Perrault and Brett Salkeld; and Theology of the Body for Every Body by Leah Perrault
Woman, How Great Thou Art autographed by Theresa Martin

BABY ITEMS

Handmade baby quilt by Mary Lenaburg
Your choice of silicone teething pendants by Peacemaker Jewelry

MUSIC

Sam Rocha “Late to Love”
Set of three CDs by Marie BelletNew Springtime, Lighten Up, and Ordinary Time
JEWELRY

Silver and zinc bracelet from Salt, Light & Silver
Steel “Family Tree” locket with crystals designed by Cathy Adamkiewitz at Origami Owl
Voucher for Lilla Rose hair jewelry by Monique Krestyn
Reversible necklace from Premier Designs by Alana McGough

HEALTH AND BEAUTY ITEMS

Pamper Me gift basket by Cindy Cheshire, Independent Mary Kay Beauty Consultant
Goatmilk Soap gift bag by Shalimar Masters of Victory Ranch Soaps
Gift certificate for $25 to Robin’s Soap Shoppe
His and Hers Young Living Massage Oil by Gabrielle Ellwanger of Living Life Oily
Shampoo bar, orange soap bar, foaming hand soap, and counter spray by Samantha McCarty ofRadiantly You
Young Living Massage Oil “Sensation”  from Tammy Meyers of Essentially Fit+Healthy

MISCELLANEOUS

hand knit charcoal gray men’s cap by Suzanne Andrews
Sauerkraut making kit Rochelle Nelson
blown glass hummingbird or slug from Blow Hard Glass Studio
$25 gift certificate for Pampered Chef by Jessica Chastek
T-shirt from New Wave Feminists
Toaster oven from Marcia and Nacho Bono!!!!!!!!!!!

NFP BOOKS, CONSULTATION AND CHARTING TOOLS

Fertility, Cycles, & Nutrition by Marilyn Shannon, sponsored by Suzanne Emery Andrews
Two copies of Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Tony Wechsler, sponsored by Larissa Halsell

Creighton Introductory Session and two Follow-ups via Skype or phone, a $120 value; OR a copy of The NaProTechnology Revolution valued around $45 from FCP (and Creighton pioneer) Kathy Rivet of Marguerite d’Youville Fertility Care Services
Creighton Introductory session from FCP Jessica McAfee of the Pope Paul VI Institute
Creighton Introductory session via Skype, plus a 20% discount on follow-up classes by FCP Amy Sherlock of This Cross I Embrace
Creighton sessions from FCP Lindy Meyer
One year’s subscription for the NFP Charting Online App (designed for Billings)
Period Diary app for the iPhone sponsored by Michelle Arnold

30 ClearBlue Easy Test Sticks sponsored by a well-wisher
ClearBlue Easy Fertility monitor sponsored by sponsored by Dr Michael Czerkes, a pro-life, NFP-only OB/GYN in Lewiston, ME
ClearBlue Easy Fertility monitor sponsored by Kenneth Scagel of The Roper School, an online classical high school program
ClearBlue Easy Fertility monitor sponsored by Pilgrims Headed Home ministry and Totus Tuus Fertility Care
ClearBlue Easy Fertility monitor sponsored by a well-wisher!
ClearBlue Easy Fertility monitor sponsored by another well-wisher!

 

Free BABY-COMP!

Because on Monday, I will be giving away a Baby-Comp (and the Rafflecopter form should be working fine now!)

 

Yep, a Baby-Comp! This lovely little gadget retails between $400-$500, if you can find it for sale. It’s a first generation model, brand new. You can use this device to help you either plan or avoid conception. The raffle begins today, and will remain open until Monday.

And who is our generous sponsor? The Natural Baby Company of Austin, TX.  Because the next generation of the Lady Comp just came out, they only have one of the first generation models left in stock, and have offered to pass it on to one of you.

 

 

The Natural Baby Company is a boutique that specializes in all-natural baby products, including cloth diapers, baby gear, baby feeding products, carriers, wraps, dolls and toys, and baby health and wellness products.

The Natural Baby Company is a friendly place!  Proprietor  Whitney Smith LeBlanc says:

We have a Natural Family Planning Chit-Chat happening at our store on August 3rd (Sunday) from 3-5. Its a safe place for women to ask questions, talk about their experience and trials and learn more about Natural Family Planning.

Amazing! I wish we had one in NH.  If you are lucky enough to be in driving distance of The Natural Baby Company, definitely stop by and check it out!

Remember, this is a separate contest from the Winner’s Guide contests. This one is just to win this Baby-Comp. There is only one prize, and there are only two ways to enter: by “liking” their Facebook page, and by signing up for their mailing list. (For the mailing list sign-up, click on “invent your own option” and then follow the link.) YOU MUST USE THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM BELOW TO BE ENTERED, AND YOU MUST ENTER BOTH WAYS!

Good luck — and thank you, Natural Baby Company!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s winners, and a few notes

Wednesday’s winners! Congratulations to the following folks:

1 The Sinner’s Guide to NFP: Mikayla Dalton

2 $25 Pampered Chef gift certificate: Joe Sales

3 2 books by Leah Perrault: Medeline

4 Subscription to NFP Charting Online app: Jenny Stevens Hamilton
5 My First Prayers board book: Courtney Foster

6 10 Pope Francis Magnets: Vicki Hammond McDonald
7 set of Living Young massage oils: Elizabeth Ambrose Lovett

8 Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition: Stacie Gresham

9 My Family steel and crystal locket: Chelsea Houghton

10 $20 gift certificate to Apostleship of Prayer: Andrea Kenny
11 Fossil Stone rosary: Gretchen Mena

12 ClearBlue Fertility Monitor: Laura Rydberg

 

I’ll be sending you emails shortly with information about how to claim your prizes.

 

I never posted Tuesday’s winners, did I? I accidentally posted the winner’s names matched up to the wrong prizes, and took it down right away; and I sent emails with the correct information. Sorry about that!  Yesterday was a glorious display of how many technical and human errors one woman and one computer could commit together. Also, someone pooped on my computer (just a little bit, but still).

 

Here are Tuesday’s winners. You should have all received an email from me by now:

 

Sinner’s Guide to NFP: Jane Stanley
Trader Joe Truffles: Eleanor McCarty

Holy Sex!: Jennifer Sanders
My First Prayers: Chris Reed

Victory Ranch Soap Gift set: Krisan Doerfler Siegel
Classroom Management for Catechists: JoAnn
Pope Francis magnets: Sarah Jendzio : NOTE: This email address is bouncing back. If you are Sarah Jendzio, please email me so I can get you your prize!

Sauerkraut Kit: Ryan Lobato
Theology of the Body, Extended: Amy Thalhammer Richert

Creighton Sessions with Lindy Meyer: April Watson

Mark Shea book of choice: Dani Alejandro

Teething Jewelry: Gracie Marie Rose

How the First Christians Changed Dying: Amanda Bosch

Taking Charge of Your Fertility: Jess Fayette
ClearBlue Easy Monitor: Elizabeth Escoffery

 

Patheos is doing a massive upgrade sitewide, so I won’t be able to access my blog for a while, starting at 4 PM. It shouldn’t look any different from your side as readers, but I won’t be able to make any edits or post anything until after 11 AM on Friday, just so you know.

 

I’m super happy with how the contest is going so far! Remember, if you have any creative ideas for how to spread the word about NFP and/or my book, just choose “invent your own option” and let me know. I love seeing all the ways the word is getting out.

 

Tomorrow there will be a huge selection of prizes (over 20 at last count!) including two ClearBlue Monitors. The contest will have to go up sometime after 11 AM because of site maintenance. It will stay open for 24, hours like the others.

 

Don’t forget, you can also enter the drawing for the Baby-Comp fertility monitor. The winner will be chosen on Monday at noon.

Winners, day one!

We have our first thirteen winners from yesterday’s contest. I will be emailing everyone individually with instructions on how to claim your prize.

Thanks for entering, everyone! Don’t forget to check out today’s contest, this time with fifteen prizes.

 

Congratulations to the following winners!

  1. autographed Sinner’s Guide to NFP: Joanne Roethlin
  2. blue labradorite gemstone rosary: Kelly McClintock
  3. Taking Charge of Your Fertility: Caroline Cleveland
  4. Bundle of three books from OSV: Tony Marinaro
  5. Box of ClearBlue test sticks: Kara Kelly Heyne
  6. 10 Pope Franis magnets: Katie Huber
  7. Late to Love CD by Sam Rocha: Kate Moscato Leen
  8. blown glass hummingbird or slug: Corita
  9. Forming Intentional Disciples: Carolyn Perpetual Astfalk
  10. Mary Kay gift basket: PD Hammers
  11. Spice Up Your Marriage ebook: Layla Krog
  12. silver and zinc bracelet: Christine Fortunato
  13. Creighton intro session: Erin K. Dansereau

I realize that a few of these prizes may not be appropriate for the winners! If this is the case, I suggest donating them to your local Goodwill or church, or offering them for free on Craigslist.

At the Register: A chat with Mary’s Shelter founder Kathleen Wilson

SF:That seems like the hallmark of how your run Mary’s Shelter: you don’t only care about the babies and the kids, but you respect the parents. Is this a deliberate decision, to approach your ministry this way?

KW: Absolutely. We don’t just save the life of the baby. We’re out to save the life of the mother, and the father, if he’s in the picture. We crack up when we hear a pro-choicer saying, “You pro-lifers only care about the white baby in your belly.” That’s the biggest lie out there.

If the woman is abortion-minded, we’ll give her a place to live, if that’s what’s holding her back. If a woman walks in and she’s in a domestic violence situation, we get her counseling.  We don’t even kick them out if they’re drinking or doing drugs; we give them an opportunity to do a program and stay with us.

We give women up to two years with us; and women who are “rock stars” – the ones who are really looking to move on and get a nursing degree or something like that — she can stay up to three years while she does school and work and gets everything together. That’s all about the woman. That’s for her.

Read the rest of my interview about this amazing organization at the Register.

And don’t forget, I’ll be the keynote speaker at their upcoming Summer Soiree August 23! Free to attend, and a great opportunity to learn more about the amazing work they are doing.

At the Register: To serve your parents

Late afternoon finds me slaving over a hot Facebook page, gorging on a smorgasbord of tantalizing photos with captions like: “Here is my 8-year-old carefully chopping the chives she grew in her little garden! This is the second time this week she’s made pork medallions herbs de provence, but we’re not complaining, as long as her little brother provides those scrumptious grilled peaches with caramel bourbon sauce for dessert! They are so cute with their aprons. <3 <3 <3″

Yes, well. I believe in equipping a child for independent living, and if that education makes life a little easier for mom at the same time, all the better. At the same time, we’re talking about kids who sometimes miss their target while putting their own pants on. I’m not showing them where the knife sharpener is.

Read the rest at the Register.

Catholic Artist of the Month: Matthew S. Good

Here is the second installment in a series: Catholic Artist of the Month.  Rather than constantly kvetching about mediocre, sentimental art by Christians, I’ll be featuring artists who are doing it right. Last month (okay, it was two months ago! June was . . . rough), I had a wonderful conversation with Timothy Jones.

This month, I’m featuring Matthew S. Good, 31, who lives and paints in Hickory, North Carolina. His paintings are moody and intense, reminding me of Rembrandt, and it took several weeks to find a time when he was available to talk. I was somewhat nervous, expecting a reticent, brooding artist type. Instead, I was delighted to find myself chatting with a cheerful, self-deprecating fellow with a quick wit and a thick Southern accent.

Good has been apprenticed under Benjamin S. Long IV for several years.

Good’s work can be found at matthewsgood.com, and he blogs sporadically, mostly about the technique of painting. He has a large collection of studies in storage, and intends to list more of them on eBay.

Here is part of our conversation. My questions are in bold.

 

******

 

Have you always known that you wanted to be an artist?

I’ve always drawn. When I was about twenty, I saw Raphael and [Flemish Baroque painter Anthony] van Dyck, who are heroes of mine.  I bought a bunch of pigment for oils, and made about three hundred terrible paintings. I had no formal training; it was just trial and error.

What is the thing you’ve struggled with most as you improve as a painter? What did you really need to learn?

An understanding of anatomy. Drawing is all about how light hits the form. If you don’t understand the form you’re looking at, you can’t understand what’s going on.

 

That’s a big thing [Long] pushes: learning anatomy, and just drawing.  A lot of great painters that hardly draw anymore. Even if you go to restaurant, you should draw people when they’re not looking. Draw, draw, draw; practice, practice, practice; patience, patience, patience.

 

 

It looks like most of your training has been private.

I never went to art school. I’m in a personal apprenticeship with Benjamin S. Long IV. He’s renowned for his true frescoes. The first one was in Italy, in Lucignano, where he lives half the year. It was a memorial to one of his friends.

There are thirteen or fourteen frescoes here in North Carolina. It’s the highest concentration of frescoes outside of Europe.  The one I helped him with was three years ago. I helped grind colors, get the plaster ready, clean brushes.

 

 

How does that work, being an apprentice?

I work with him on a weekly basis with oils and drawing. He doesn’t tell me how to do anything .  It’s helpful to work on your own as much as you can; but it’s really helpful to have him there when you get into a bind. “Look at this, see how bad I am!” His whole thing is that you never use photographic references; use models.

 

 

I notice that a lot of your models don’t look like privileged people. They look like they just got off work, or just stepped out of a bar.  They have tattoos.

 

 

They’re all my friends! It’s important to me to paint my friends. There’s a whole variety of people I paint, and I don’t choose one type or another.

Well, they look like lovely, wonderful people! But I mean that you show all of your subjects with a great amount of dignity.

 

 

That’s very important to me. Rembrandt is the top. One thing I really love about his work the psychology in his paintings. Peasant, aristocrats — he painted them all with dignity. No person is more important than the other.

 

 

 

That emphasis on people’s dignity seems very Catholic to me. You are Catholic, right?

Yes, I am. I’ve done commissions for churches, but I don’t put a lot on my website about liturgical art. I love my faith, but I am a sinner. I struggle with my faith. This is the big thing:  I believe in loving absolutely everybody. Some of my deepest friends are from all faiths and walks of life. I don’t select only Catholic for friends.

Is there any particular kind of religious art that you especially enjoy?

I love all religious art. It’s in a public space, you don’t have to go into someone’s hallway to see it. And there’s a narrative to religious art, which is just the pinncacle of art, for me.

 

 

Is your family artistic?

No, I don’t know where it came from. I drew with my friends as a kid all the time. Michelangelo is the first artist I really loved.

What did your parents think when you said you wanted to be an artist?

They love it. A lot of my artist friends’ parents hate the idea, but my parents are very proud of me. My parents are both Protestant, very humble religious people. They have never tried to tell us we have to make a lot of money to be successful.

I’ve been making a living as an artist for five years now. I scrape by. I do travel to Italy!

 

 

Who are some of your favorite artists who are working now?

My favorite living painter, Ben Long, paints the life around him. He does large frescos, multi-figured paintings, and he doesn’t doctor it up. He paints life solely from observation, and he has a humble approach to the world around him.

I also love Steven Assael, who is not religious.

And I’ve never met him, but Neilson Carlin does religious work on a great scale, very beautiful work.

Do you see any kind of return to the kind of art that you enjoy? It seems like people are getting tired of ugly and bland things and are thirsting for beauty.

Believe me, my fingers are crossed.  John Paul II and Benedict have talked about bringing back art into the Church. It does seem like there’s a growing interest.

A lot of us are very anxious to return to the traditions of the church. I’m not militantly opposed to Vatican II, but traditional settings more reverent. Modern spaces aren’t thought through the way they used to be.  “Traditional” doesn’t necessarily mean repeating the past word for word, but I don’t see why we have to disregard thousands of years.

What kind of work would you most like to be able to put your name on?

Any sort of narrative from scripture or from the saints. This is something I would really like to get into. It’s hard doing it on your own. I don’t have much resources for models. Just doing paintings for churches would be my dream job.

But you weren’t raised Catholic.

I was raised Lutheran. In high school, I didn’t know if I believed.  It must have been when I was 19, I went on a little journey: Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal. I wasn’t even sure if I could go to Mass, but I went, and I could see something special was going on.  I got some library books on Catholicism, and appreciated the theology.

Ten years ago I converted. It’s a beautiful. I love the Catholic Church. You don’t hear much about sacraments in protestant churches, but it’s the most important thing we’ve got here.

 

 

*****

 

Are you a Catholic artist, or do you know one who would be available for interview? Send me a tip at simchafisher[at]gmail[dot]com.

Pewsitter says girl “admits” to being raped

A screenshot of Pewsitter from earlier today:

 

 

Schoolgirl “admits” being raped?

“Admits?”

I clicked on the link, and that’s what the headline says in the original article, too. I’d say Pewsitter was just unthinkingly reproducing the headline and bears no responsibility for the outrageous implications of that word, but anyone who’s been on Pewsitter’s vast and trackless bad side knows that they routinely make up headlines that suggest whatever they want to suggest. “Admits” is the word they liked.

The hell with them.