JOHN HENRY FOLLEY
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In Memoriam: Tim Cantu

12/6/2021

1 Comment

 
Last month, the community to which Deirdre and I belong felt the painful loss of a young family man, Tim Cantu, to cancer. I knew Tim only a relatively short time but I can say he was truly a friend.
Tim and I shared much in common. We were both about the same age (he was a few years younger). We both were from large families and were the fathers of large families as well. Our reasons for having large families are similar too: they stem from our Catholic faith and the conviction that life is a precious gift and should be shared generously with others. Tim was the dedicated father of 5 children. It was always refreshing to see Tim and Marie with their family in large part because together they were a lot like what my wife and I want to be. 
As an artist, one thing that particularly struck me about Tim was his conviction that artistic forms are both meaningful and important. Some of his many friends may not be aware that he was a patron of the arts, making an actual investment in culture that way -- and he was excited about it. I enjoyed working with Tim as artist/patron, and I sensed that he was going to be with me for the long haul in my own quest for Beauty. We also shared some good thoughts on art and beauty over some good drinks. 
​
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A portrait Tim commissioned me to paint as a gift for his wife on the occasion of their 10th anniversary.
Tim was willing to take an unpopular position in order to be true to what he believed as far as taste and culture. This is something I respect, because it’s all too easy for any of us to go with the flow on what may seem like minor matters -- the choice of music for a party, say -- but the fact remains that forms form us. Tim knew that. Seeking excellence in the little things -- seeking beauty in all our choices -- is a step forward on the journey toward the ultimate Good to which we’re destined. 
Tim’s journey, it seemed last month, was cut cruelly short. Deirdre and I, along with many, many others, were praying for a miracle. We wanted so much for this fun, lively guy to fully recover, to stay by his wife Marie's side and get to watch his children grow up. Learning of his passing was a painful blow. But we trust that God has a plan that will redeem all the suffering. As I think of and am grateful for Tim’s support of my artwork and, more importantly, his friendship, I’m reminded of the deep value of choosing the more beautiful way, in matters both great and small. ​
1 Comment

Auction for Mandarin Pears

11/4/2021

4 Comments

 
Bidding is open!
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The rules are as follows: 
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The original price of this piece is $5260. Starting bid for the auction is $1200. 
  • Shipping is free in the the contiguous US!
  • There will be a fresh blog post for the actual auction, entitled 'Auction for Mandarin Pears.'
  • To place a bid on the painting, use the comments section below the auction post. 
  • Feel free to use a pseudonym, but please be aware that winners will be informed via email, so it is imperative that you provide your working email when placing a comment bid. Your email will be kept private and will not be published along with the comment.  
  • Minimum bid increase amount is $25. This means that you must bid at least $25 higher than the previously published comment. For example, if the comment above yours is $825, your minimum bid is $850. You may bid higher in increments of $25 (e.g., you may follow a $825 bid with a $900 bid). 
  • The auction will run about two and a half days, ending at 11am, EST, on Saturday the 6th, 2021. 
  • The final bid to post in the comment section with a timestamp prior to 11:00am on the 6th will be the winning post. In the case of any confusion, we will refer to the corresponding emails that we receive for each comment; whichever email appears in our inbox as the final post before 11am will correspond to the winning comment bid. 
  • We will contact the winner via email to arrange payment and shipment. 
  • Massachusetts residents will be subject to MA sales tax (6.25%). 
4 Comments

Get Ready: Another Crazy Auction!

10/25/2021

1 Comment

 
Mandarin Pears
18 inches x 30 inches
oil on canvas
​framed
I had a fun time imagining the abundance of pears pouring forth from this wide and gracious bowl. Looking closely, you'll see how the shape of the fruits is echoed in the motif along the edge of the ceramic bowl. In Chinese custom, the pear represents eternal life; while the Christian understanding of the pear tree is the love of Christ.
​You are sure to find that there will never be a dull moment with this painting in your space! The bold, lucky reds and rich bursts of the gold medallions will keep you coming back to this exciting and invigorating piece. 

To see more views of this painting, in its frame, click here. 
​
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The auction for this painting will open on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 8:30 am. 
 ​Please read the auction rules here: 
​

The original price of this piece is $5260. Starting bid for the auction is $1200. 
  • Shipping is free in the the contiguous US!
  • There will be a fresh blog post for the actual auction, entitled 'Auction for Mandarin Pears.'
  • To place a bid on the painting, use the comments section below the auction post. 
  • Feel free to use a pseudonym, but please be aware that winners will be informed via email, so it is imperative that you provide your working email when placing a comment bid. Your email will be kept private and will not be published along with the comment.  
  • Minimum bid increase amount is $25. This means that you must bid at least $25 higher than the previously published comment. For example, if the comment above yours is $825, your minimum bid is $850. You may bid higher in increments of $25 (e.g., you may follow a $825 bid with a $900 bid). 
  • The auction will run about two and a half days, ending at 11am, EST, on Saturday the 6th, 2021. 
  • The final bid to post in the comment section with a timestamp prior to 11:00am on the 6th will be the winning post. In the case of any confusion, we will refer to the corresponding emails that we receive for each comment; whichever email appears in our inbox as the final post before 11am will correspond to the winning comment bid. 
  • We will contact the winner via email to arrange payment and shipment. 
  • Massachusetts residents will be subject to MA sales tax (6.25%). 
1 Comment

Lately Complete: St. Joseph the Humble

6/14/2021

2 Comments

 
Now that this painting, which was commissioned for a fundraiser effort, has made its way to its final destination via an exciting in-person auction, I am free to make the official reveal: 

St. Joseph the Humble

St. Joseph the Humble original painting by John Folley
St. Joseph the Humble, 20"x16" oil on canvas
As I mentioned, this painting was commissioned for a fundraiser, in this case for the group Young Catholic Professionals.

The folks at YCP and I were in talks about this painting long before we knew that this year would be declared by Pope Francis as the Year of St. Joseph. The conference was originally scheduled for last September, but of course was pushed out until this spring. In the end, the timing was auspicious, as the Conference took place over the weekend of May 1, feast of St. Joseph the Worker. 

In the process of this painting, I was certainly meditating on St. Joseph the Worker. I tried out different poses with my model, considering painting the Saint with his hammer and square to emphasis his carpentry. St. Joseph the Worker is absolutely my patron in my studio and I am devoted to him especially as the model man who provides for his family with hands-on work. In the end, I chose to paint St. Joseph with his flowering staff. His head down, his brow somewhat furrowed, his mind pondering the tasks placed before him and his heart in prayer, he eventually emerged to me as a man most humble. Hence the title. 


I had the pleasure of traveling to Dallas, TX for YCP's annual conference and presented this work at the VIP reception before the concluding gala. 
"John is a very talented artist who clearly puts his heart and soul into his commissioned pieces. The painting exuded light, depth, and sophistication, which translated into an excellent live auction experience with substantial funds raised for our non-profit." - Jennifer Baugh, Founder & Executive Director of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) ​
Thanks, Jennifer!
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After the unveiling, I painted on my signature as the very final step to complete this work. 
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Here's a shot of the winner (left) and the gentleman who graciously agreed to let this painting go in exchange for a whole separate commission. So another St. Joseph painting will soon be underway!
The auction was very exciting, with two bidders eventually getting into a bit of a war over the piece! After considerable back-and-forth, time was running short. The auctioneer made the suggestion on the spot: would I be willing to paint a second painting for the runner-up? I agreed, and in the end, you might say, the painting sold not once, but twice to benefit YCP. 
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And then to make it even more complete, a priest was available to give the painting a blessing on the spot! So the artwork was able to go to its new home all ready as a blessed object to aid in prayer and devotion. It was perfect! 
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Many thanks to my model, an excellent study for St. Joseph -- my brother-in-law. We had a good - if quiet - time in the studio to make this come to life. 
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2 Comments
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    Author

    Hello there, I'm John H. Folley, an oil painter in the Boston School tradition. Thanks for visiting the Beauty Advocacy Blog, where it's my job to help you become a more discerning art appreciator.

    I believe that beauty is real and that art has standards, and I'm here to push back against the pretensions of the modern Art world.

    Here you'll find updates on my studio projects, commissioned paintings, illustration, and some of my art philosophy. You'll also hear occasionally from my wife and studio manager, artist Deirdre M. Folley. Peace!

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  • Fine Art
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