The images above are details from paintings by two of my artistic comrades, both of whom I hold in the highest regard. Dick Dougherty was one of my instructors at Swain School of Design back in the 70’s. He taught me how to draw, how to determine tone and value in painting and, along the way, some art history as well. Nancy Carrozza-Caradonna was a classmate of mine from grade school through high school and then art school. She has taught me many things, among them an appreciation for figurative painting and how to embrace the passion of the art world.

Though I myself don’t often paint figures or portraits, their recent work leaves me stunned. Technically, they achieve things I would have much difficulty duplicating. They are both master draughtsmen and their sense of light is sublime. But beyond that, it is the capturing of a subject’s soul that amazes me. The depths of emotion they mine from a human face is breathtaking and moving.

Saint Catherine of the Wheel by Nancy Carrozza-Caradonna

There’s another thing too. As I studied their work more closely, it was clear that there were singular similarities in the expressions of fear, pain and suffering in one group and introspection, self-doubt and even sadness in the other. AND, oftentimes, those emotions are indistinguishable.

Put another way - it’s a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning. We are most certainly ALL sinners and ALL saints. And we should remember that before we judge one another. Peace to you all this Thanksgiving.