his homilies , kindness and humility , Father Alex is also a very talented artist . Modest about his work , it took some coaxing for him to share it with the parish , most of whom first saw his paintings at the parish Christmas Fair last year . Father graciously donated twenty paintings to the silent auction where a friendly battled ensued over them .
Father began drawing when he was a child . His mother , being a practical woman , threw his drawings in the fire telling him he would never be able to support himself as an artist and he should stop wasting his time with drawing . But Father continued drawing , in secret , and hid his work from his mother . For him , a shy child , drawing was a means of focusing and communicating with God . While he was called by God to the priesthood and not the world of artists , Father Alex continues drawing and painting . Working on a painting is a form of prayer for him , Pray Painting .
Lessons have never been part of Father ’ s artistic development . In fact , he once approached an artist in India about lessons and was told he did not need them . The artist took one look at Father ’ s work and told him lessons would only alter his unique style . The artist compared Father ’ s work to Picasso , telling him that people will be attracted to his work just as people are attracted to Picasso ’ s , precisely because his style is unique . oils has taught him to slow down . But , he still completes a piece in record time . The 16 ” by 20 ” painting of Saint ( Mother ) Theresa seen here took only ten hours .
Father Alex will tell you he has learned a great deal from his County parishioners , but it is we who have learned from him . From his wondrous stories of life in India and Papua New Guinea to his daily illustration of living a life of kindness , mercifulness and humbleness , Father Alex has taught us to appreciate what we have and to recognize how lucky we are to live in the County where people care for each other , friend or foe , County native or not . Personally , my life has been changed through my encounters with Father Alex .
The Parish of the Precious Blood has recently been blessed with another priest from the Heralds of Good News , Father Nehru Stephan Savayaria . Father Steve , who arrived in the County in November immediately felt at home . We are truly blessed to live here in the County where ,
“… the handclasp ’ s a little stronger ,… the smile dwells a little longer ,… And a man makes friends without half trying- …”
Father Nehru Stephan Savayaria
Vibrant colors , piercing eyes and a sense of calm are the first things I notice about Father ’ s portraits . Strikingly different from most portraits with muted colors , his portraits reflect the influences of his native India where brilliant hues are important and muted tones are rarely seen . While he does work in pencil and charcoal and has done a few paintings with more muted colors , he prefers the vibrancy of radiant colors . He has done a few landscapes , but portraits are his favorite . He begins a work by studying a photo or maybe another drawing and makes it his own by pulling out the mood and emotions of the subject .
When asked how long it takes him to complete a painting , Father admits he is very impatient and believes a work should be completed within a day . However , since coming to the United States and painting with oils for the first time , he has had to learn patience .
While oils are available in India , like the art canvases , oils are very expensive . Father was delighted when he found affordable oils and canvases in the States . He quickly learned he could not rush an oil painting . Working with
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