JOHN HENRY FOLLEY
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Auction for Mandarin Pears

11/4/2021

4 Comments

 
Bidding is open!
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The rules are as follows: 
​

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 Your email will be kept private and will not be published along with the comment.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

My Children's Books Thus Far!

5/15/2021

41 Comments

 
As part of the Big 5 Event I'm running during the month of May for the members of my private email list, I'm celebrating the collection fo children's books I have in publication thus far: 5 major works as well as a handful of smaller projects.

As I've mentioned before, I think the quality of what we hand our children to read is very important. In our household, we "just say no" to children's books that have garish, unharmonious, ugly, or otherwise unpleasant illustrations. 

Although illustrating children's books is a departure from my fine art work, the creative process that goes into these works is just hard for me to turn down! You can thank my friend Matthew Mehan for really getting the ball rolling when he roped me into Mister Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals. Since then, opportunities for illustration have been beckoning, and I've had the chance to answer for the ones you see here below. 

Without further ado, a compendium of my illustrated work thus far!


Mister Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals ("M5" for short!)
​by Matthew Mehan

Mr. Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals
Mr. Mehan's Mildly Amusing Mythical Mammals tells the story—through captivating poems and breathtaking paintings—of the adventure of two friends, the Dally and the Blug.
 
Their jolly journey through an alphabet of mythical mammals unites the bright and bumbling Blug and the dear but downhearted Dally, who come to learn a thing or two about good, evil, courage, humor, sadness, hope . . . and how to govern their spirits and truly love their fellow mammals.
 
While written to delight Middle Grade readers ages 8 to 12, this beautiful, haunting book has much that will surprise and delight everyone! The adventures of these amusing and mischievous mythical mammals, will re-awaken a wonder and love for humanity and nature in readers of all ages.


Recommended for: readers of all ages; poetry anthologies; poetry memorization; homeschool curriculum; lovers of seek-and-find books like the 'I Spy' series.

These links mostly lead to Amazon, but please consider ordering directly from the publisher where possible!

God's Wildest Wonderment of All
by Paul Thigpen

God's Wildest Wonderment of All
The sight of so many animals brings to his young mind thoughts of Noah’s ark. Why has God created and preserved such an entertaining assortment of beasts? As he surveys the wonderful critters all around him, at last he discovers God’s wildest wonderment of all – in a moment of joyous self-discovery that your child will share.

Bestselling author Paul Thigpen tells the tale in rollicking, musical verse, with vivid and playful illustrations by artist John Folley that will have your little one begging to read this book again and again. 


Recommended for: children under 10; poetry memorization; Baptism gift or First Communion gift

Colors of Creation
by Paul Thigpen

Colors of Creation
Colors of Creation will help your child see the world all around in a new light — as the beautiful handiwork of a loving Creator. Each color displayed is yet another reflection of his glory and another pleasure to enjoy. In the end, God’s masterpiece on earth is revealed in the people he creates, who can work and play, love and pray — and who come in every hue.

Recommended for: very little children to independent readers; poetry memorization; Baptism gift or First Communion Gift

Angels in the Air Arrayed: A Child's Christmas ABC Book
by Paul Thigpen

Angels in the Air Arrayed: A Child's Christmas ABC Book
From “Angels in the air arrayed” to “Zion’s king forevermore,” you and your child can explore the Nativity story from A to Z. The lovely artistry of this book's words and images will make it a Christmas family favorite for generations to come.

Recommended for: Christmas gift; Christmas book collections; readers of all ages; poetry memorization

Coming soon! Available for pre-order! 

The Handsome Little Cygnet
by Matthew Mehan

The Handsome Little Cygnet
From best-selling author and illustrator team Matthew Mehan and John Folley, this wonderful and surprising revision of the Ugly Duckling will please the whole family with beautiful prose and page after page of lush watercolor illustrations. Even enjoy a seek-n-find in the back of the book, learning about the landmarks and wildlife of Central Park, among other amusing mysteries.

Recommended for: Birthday gift; children under 10; seek-and-find; gifts for New Yorkers 

Other illustrated works for children and young readers: 

Click through to read all the reviews on these engaging works by Kathryn Swegart!

Miraculous!: Catholic Mysteries for Kids
by Kathryn Swegart

Miraculous! Catholic Mysteries for Kids

Perilous Days 
by Kathryn Swegart

Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids 
by Kathryn Swegart

Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids

Martyrs 
by Kathryn Swegart

Perilous Days

Lucia of Fatima 
by Kathryn Swegart

Martyrs

The Crayons: True to Color 
by Elise Folley

Lucia of Fatima
The Crayons: True to Color
My very first foray into illustration - a collaboration with my sister!

So which of these, if any, have you read or would you like to read?
​Do you have a favorite? 
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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
    • Still Life
    • Portraiture
    • Commissions
  • Beauty Advocacy
  • Live Painting
    • Weddings
    • Wedding Portraits
    • Other Events
    • F. A. Q.
    • Painting Demonstrations
  • Study with John
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    • Artist Statement