The Art & Soul of Scott Stafstrom

The Life of Jesus Painting

2010-11-09T22:10:00.001-05:00

Mural Project For Pediatricians Office

2010-08-23T10:49:00.001-04:00

This is a very cool Pediatric office located in Port Charlotte, FL. We created murals for their waiting rooms and for 13 exam rooms. Young patients are not sure what to expect when they walk into a room. It is a very fun and welcoming place with amazing doctors and a great staff.

Don't buy decorations off the shelf for your office... make it a place that people talk about and want to come back too. Enjoy the tour of all of the murals and listen close for some fun sound effects too.

Mural Gifts - Elder Care Facilities

2010-08-10T14:39:00.001-04:00

Announcing a special Gift for Elder Care Facilities.

“The residents absolutely love the mural, but they loved watching the process and Scott’s interaction with them even more.” – Joff Stride, Executive Director, Chambrel at Island Lake.

I love working with the elderly. I have had the opportunity to experience some great care being offered to loved ones and friends as they age. People make the difference in each facility, and sometimes just a little time with the residents can make their day a little brighter. I recently completed a mural for Chambrel at Island Lake, an Independent Living facility in Longwood, Florida. I enjoyed the day of painting and interacting with the residents and hope that I was able to, in my small way, share something of lasting beauty.

The Announcement:

I want to continue to repeat that experience, so I am offering a FREE mural project each month to an Elder Care Facility (This can be a pretty broad term and can include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Long Term Care Facilities, Senior Centers, Hospice Care etc.) I am hoping to find places where a mural can brighten up an inside area or add beauty to on outside area where residents come together. The subject matter can be anything that works for the facility though I find nature (landscapes with flowers, water, etc.) and murals that feel like you can walk right into them offer a peaceful view for the elderly. Click here to view the mural tab on this site to see a small sample of the mural projects I have worked on over the last decade.

It really is a Gift! Yes, there are no strings attached. If the project involves an over night stay due to traveling, I do ask for a hotel for a night. Most murals can be completed in one day (though I do take as much time as each resident wants to talk about the painting as it progresses).

How do I submit a Facility? Management of the Facility can contact me by email or by calling 888-333-8787. If you are a resident or know a place that could use a mural please share this blog post with them so they can call or email me. This is a first come first serve proposition and I will do everything I can to work with each facility on a schedule that works with their calendar and my calendar of upcoming projects.

So, Spread The Word...

Tuscany Village Video

2010-07-13T10:59:00.004-04:00

This video shows the creation of Tuscany Village by Scott Stafstrom. To view a high resolution photo and info about the painting please go to the previous post :)

Tuscany Village

2010-07-13T08:51:00.001-04:00

The highest point in this hill top village has the best view of the warm Tuscany landscape below. The flowers are blooming and the slow pace of this late afternoon day in the Tuscan sun is mesmerizing. Stop and smell the flowers and watch them being created along with the rest of this traditional oil painting. Enjoy!

Special thanks to www.tuscanyvillages.com for the photos and inspiration for this piece! Grazie mille :)

Home Theater Mural

2010-07-02T09:51:00.003-04:00

Surround sound and surround mural. This is a man's dream theater room... Enjoy!

Romeo & Juliet Mural

2010-06-23T22:30:00.000-04:00

This is a mural that I painted on canvas in the studio and installed in a Romeo and Juliet style balcony in a home near Orlando. Here is the before and after and a close up of the happy couple:

(I also faux painted the balcony to match the wood from the front door)

More murals coming soon... I decade later, over one thousand mural and decorative painting projects... and I can't wait for the next one :)

The Hand of God Mural

2010-06-22T12:51:00.000-04:00

One of 7 murals that I am painting for Annunciation Catholic Academy. They are based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey. We took the Habits and the Leadership program that the school has embraced and related them to biblical teachings, creating murals and word art that hopefully takes the students deeper in understanding and practice.

Photo for a close up view -->

Look for a video soon with all of the murals :)

Florence Painting

2010-06-18T16:51:00.000-04:00

Here is the photo of "Florence Gardens", my latest stone work painting. The video below shows the inspiration and creative process behind this piece. This original painting is available for purchase. Please click here to view my complete online gallery of originals :)

Florence Gardens

2010-06-16T19:08:00.001-04:00

My latest Stonework Painting featuring a view near Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy. The piece was inspired by an opening shot in one of my favorite travel video blogs (www.aroadretraveled.com Episode #104). This painting takes place during that beautiful late afternoon golden sun time in Italy. The focus is on the beauty of Florence and the beauty of a simple stone archway and the history in both. Enjoy!

Photo and link for purchase coming soon...

GREAT Twitter Wordle

2010-06-15T09:05:00.003-04:00

This is a Wordle representation of all of the words I have tweeted over the last 6 months. I love that the biggest word (therefore my most used word) is GREAT. That means I have been complimenting people and their work mostly in my tweets. PAINTING is next so I have been promoting my work also and maybe telling other artists how GREAT their PAINTINGS are too.

With over 2100 followers and about 800 tweets I would like to express my THANKS (next biggest) to all of my fellow Tweeters. AND if you haven't already, please follow me on Twitter

(Note: to make your own Wordle visual graph of your tweets, you have to go to TweetStats and run your account analysis (it’s free) and then click on the tab at the top that says “Tweet Cloud” then near the bottom right choose “Don’t like the TweetCloud? Well then, go make a Wordle!” and choose “no @’s” so it removes people’s user names so you can see just the words you’ve used. Then come and let me know in the comments your most used words too.) SGPHG4GQHRKF

The Original Video: Italian Walkway with Comments

2010-06-14T22:14:00.000-04:00

I thought I would re-post the original video that got this whole video blog process started:

My latest painting: Florence Gardens will be posted tomorrow :)

To Frame Or Not To Frame

2010-05-21T10:37:00.002-04:00

My sculptured paintings do not need to be framed. The stone work is a part of the painting but it also carries around the corner creating a very durable frame. Some people just like frames though and some paintings really stand out with a frame. For example look at the two photos below of my painting Window To Assisi:

Here is the painting without the frame.

And with a frame.

I do not want to skew the voting so I'll save my opinion for later. Leave a comment here, on my FaceBook page or Twitter. This painting is available on my Original Paintings page too (framed or unframed).

Thank You!

Villa at Lake Como

2010-05-12T13:30:00.001-04:00

My latest sculptured painting... Lake Como is an amazing place just north of Milan in Italy. This deep, beautiful lake is surrounded by quaint towns and dotted with Villas with amazing views and rich architecture.

This was a painting that I started many years ago (the picture to the left is how it looked when I stored it away). I was inspired again to work on the piece and will display it this coming weekend at the Chairs 4 Charity Auction.

This Original painting is available. Go to my Original Paintings page for more information.

Key West Coquina Video

2010-05-06T15:39:00.000-04:00

Grab a frozen something and enjoy the making of my painting: Key West Coquina

Key West Coquina

2010-05-06T08:11:00.004-04:00

Key West Coquina is a journey to one of my favorite places rich in history and culture and to the house of one of my favorite authors, Ernest Hemingway. The house is a museum now and you can learn more about the Key West life and times of the author at: www.hemingwayhome.com. I used actual coquina rock (a rock made of old sea shells and other marine life, and used extensively in the Keys) in the stone window. Look for a video of the creation of this piece later today.

Here is an excerpt from the site about the house:

The story goes that Hemingway made the acquaintance of a sea captain who owned an unusual six-toed tomcat. Upon his departure from Key West, the captain presented the cat to Hemingway. Today many of the numerous cats that inhabit the grounds still possess the unusual six toes.

Legend has it that Hemingway owned the home from 1931 until his passing in 1961. The Spanish Colonial style home was constructed of native rock hewn from the grounds and boasts the first pool built in Key West. The pool, built in the late 1930's, cost $20,000. This price prompted Hemingway to take a penny from his pocket and press it into the wet cement of the surrounding patio and announce jokingly, "Here, take the last penny I've got!" That penny is still thereThis Original Painting is available. Please go to my Original Paintings page for more information.

Sunfest Thank You!

2010-05-03T21:55:00.004-04:00

Thank you for a great SunFest art show! The fireworks at the end say it all. The show was a great success not only because of some great new clients but because I had the opportunity to meet a lot of you for the first time. I am grateful for the positive feedback on the direction of my art and it inspires me to continue to take my 'sculptured paintings' to new places rich in culture and history.

Thank you again.

Mural Portfolio

2010-04-23T08:45:00.000-04:00

I updated my mural portfolio link on this site. It is a good start. But what do you include after a decade of mural painting and thousands of mural and decorative painting projects? I guess I will just keep adding or maybe I will put it all on video and pretend I am showing my portfolio to you in your home or office...

This image is in honor of the NBA playoffs and the greatest player of my time. The rest of the mural can be found on the mural link here or at the top of the page.

Outdoor Art For SunFest

2010-04-19T14:24:00.003-04:00

My next art show, SunFest is approaching and I will be bringing some of my Original Outdoor Art to the show. South Florida is all about outdoor living and I think these paintings will find a happy home on some of the "I don't know what to put there" blank patio walls. The concept of outdoor art is borrowed from my mural experience. I create outdoor murals to last in the sun and rain so I decided to create paintings on concrete board that could also withstand mother nature. Take a look at some of the outdoor art pieces I have created over the last several years and don't forget to come by and see me at SunFest next weekend:

"Chair"donnay Photos

2010-04-12T08:55:00.000-04:00

I finished my Chairs4Charity project over the weekend. It needed a few more details and a clear coat to protect the work. I will be dropping off the chair this week and get ready for the big event on May 16th to benefit The Mustard Seed of Central Florida. (go to http://www.mustardseedfla.org/ for complete information.)

Now back to the studio this week to get ready for SunFest in West Palm Beach coming up the weekend of May 1st. This event will be a great time too, with amazing artists both musical and visual (go to http://www.sunfest.com for more details) . So mark your calendars and make sure you plan on stopping by. More painting videos coming soon...

"Chair"donnay by Scott Stafström

2010-04-06T17:54:00.002-04:00

Enjoy my new video featuring a sped up painting of a chair. Yes a chair. I was invited to participate in The Mustard Seed of Central Florida's annual Chairs4Charity event. Celebrities and local artists creatively paint chairs to be auctioned off at this popular event. Celebrities include, Eddie Money, HGTV star Robb Mariani of Design Star and hotelier Harris Rosen.

The chair I selected had a viney look to it so I decided to do a vineyard scene with a lot of grape vines. The project came to be known as "Chair"donnay and the grapes have a definite Chardonnay look to them. This project was very fun and I was glad to contribute. The Mustard Seed of Central Florida helps so many people in the area with furniture and clothing needs. For more information about this great charity and the Chair4Charity event please go to www.mustardseedfla.org .

Charleston Stroll by Scott Stafström

2010-03-24T19:19:00.001-04:00

Here is the video of the creation of my painting "Charleston Stroll". This is a mixed media piece using traditional oil paints and non traditional building materials (to create the stone work). I have many fond memories of my visits to Charleston - the history, the culture, the character of the buildings and of the people. I hope you enjoy the view down this little side street of this grand old town.

Sneak Peek at New Painting...

2010-03-24T11:22:00.000-04:00

Here is a sneak peek at my painting, Charleston Stroll. The video of the process of creating this piece is being rendered now and hopefully fully functioning on YouTube later today... until then enjoy the sneak peek and check in later.

Soccer Mural

2010-03-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

The mural side of my life continues to be busy. I love creating murals that change the whole look of a room. This teen is a big soccer (football) fan with a favorite team and player. It is amazing what can be accomplished in a couple of days.

I have a new painting in the works. The next city is New Orleans - a place full of history, wrought iron and stone. Just the place for a "stone work" classic.

In the mean time, one more half day of touch up work on this mural. A little more detail work on the jerseys and the lettering and some additional work to bring the player to life.

I travel all throughout the US and Canada for murals just like this one. If you are interested in more information please email me directly. There is never a charge for brainstorming design ideas and the process is a lot of fun. I look forward to hearing from you.

The Fine Art of Faux

2010-03-18T08:23:00.001-04:00

Faux is the art of decoratively painting something to look like something else from nature. Well that is my definition anyway. There are a lot of decorative painting techniques that are called faux, but the traditional use of the word meant: let's make that wall look like marble or that ceiling like stone, etc. In this photo/video journal I take an existing decoratively painted structure and recreate it with a faux finish taken from a beautiful tile pattern. Enjoy!

Great Tuscany photos

2010-03-17T08:35:00.000-04:00

I just loved every picture in this video and had to share. Stop for a moment and enjoy the Tuscan view. This could inspire several paintings. Thank you to www.tuscanyvillages.com for the video.

Venice Mural

2010-03-12T23:43:00.002-05:00

A photo and video journal of the creation of my latest mural for a residence in Central Florida. This vintage Venice, Italy scene was painted in about two days and you can enjoy the whole process in a little over two minutes.

I speed up the second day quite a bit because the detail work is difficult to detect and the subtle changes are not as easy to see. The last frames show a before and after shot and really show what a mural can add to a room. Enjoy the video!

Scott Stafstrom - Artist Overview

2010-02-27T00:55:00.001-05:00

A good video to start with if you are visiting for the first time. It is an overview featuring original paintings, scenes from my original sped up painting video and video and photos from award winning art shows.

Original Reproduction?

2010-02-23T04:37:00.003-05:00

I know it sound funny but yes, after I paint an original oil or acrylic painting, I create something I call an Original Reproduction. I start out with a beautiful giclee print (a high quality photo is taken of the original and a professional fine art print maker creates reproductions for me on canvas), secure it to masonite board and then add my signature hand carved original stone accents to the piece. The giclee in the video is taken from my original oil painting, Italian Walkway.

This original reproduction and many of my original paintings will be available soon on my new website. Look for an update later this week.

Art Show Setup

2010-02-21T23:15:00.003-05:00

It was great to meet everyone this weekend! Thank you for an amazing show!

Italian Walkway w/ Comments

2010-02-17T12:07:00.001-05:00

OK, let's have a contest. Which way do you like the video? With or without comments from me, the artist. This is the same video of Italian Walkway with kind of a play by play. Out of all of the comments I will randomly pick a commentator who will receive an original reproduction of this piece. No rules, no regulations, just looking for feedback :)

Thank you, Scott

Lakeridge Winefest

2010-02-10T14:03:00.001-05:00

Everyone is invited to Winefest at Lakeridge Winery in Clermont, Florida on February 19th through 21st. I will have my new booth sign and will be offering for sale a variety of paintings including the two works that you watched being created on video.

I won best of show back in 2008 at Winefest. I am looking forward to meeting any and all of you that can come out to say hi. The link to the festival site is: http://www.lakeridgewinery.com

Window To Assisi

2010-02-05T14:32:00.003-05:00

Assisi is a town located in the Umbria region and on the western flank of Monte Subasio.

It was the birthplace of St. Francis, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci). In the Summer of 2008, I took my family for an overnight stay at a convent in Assisi. The view out of the window in the painting is the view of convent. Just like everything in these small hill towns in Italy, it was built of a beautiful variety of stone. The heavy wooden doors and the flower pots that were hanging all of the way up the walls completed the picture and I knew someday I would paint the scene.

Out of all of the places I have stayed in Europe, these convents that are set up to accommodate pilgrims and tourists, are some of the nicest, cleanest and most inexpensive to stay at. And yes it is a peaceful night sleep.

Click on the photo for a detailed view.

Italian Walkway by Scott Stafstrom

2010-01-29T00:37:00.003-05:00

Finally! The post you have all been waiting for. A video featuring a sped up painting with stone accents. Enjoy. Here is a detailed photo (click on it to view full size)

www.scottstafstrom.com

2010-01-27T22:00:00.002-05:00

This blog is going to take on a new look shortly. I will be adding video of the creation of all of my paintings and mural work from now on. You can also find the blog by going through www.scottstafstrom.com .

For 10 years I have been marketing my company Classic Art Source, Inc. I am going to be spending more time marketing Scott Stafström and my art. Notice I have also brought the umlaut (ö) back in my name. I want to emphasize the Swedish heritage and the classic European style of my painting. The blog will still explore the 'soul' of art and sacred painting. For me they are inseparable.

Look for a post tomorrow with my first You Tube video featuring a painting called "Italian Walkway". Have a good night. God Bless You. ö

Spiritual Art Show

2010-01-15T22:01:00.004-05:00

Here is my proposal. I am willing to use my contacts in art to pull together artists for a sacred art show, christian art show, catholic art show... I am looking for help to pull off the logistics of such an event. If you feel a pull to help with this type of an endeavor please contact me at artstrom@gmail.com.

I found a spiritual art show being held in Minneapolis in March
( http://ow.ly/WXoC) Interesting concept - From the site:
Why Spiritual Art? The Show's producers Nicholas and Rosemary Heille, said: “As involved art supporters in northeast Minneapolis we have seen many spiritual works in various studios amongst the works done by local artists. We were impressed with the work that often was not the main thrust of the body of work an artist and wondered what would happen if we promoted a call for spiritual works to be shown in a religious institution.” As a result of their efforts, you too can now see, and experience what they have seen. The Spiritual Art Show is out "... to rescue religious and spiritual art from catalogue companies.” is the way Johan van Parys Director Liturgy, Basilica of St. Mary, describes their event. The photo is from a 2009 winning sculpture created by Cynthia E Markle

The producers recognize that many artists have a few spiritual works laying around and it would be great to bring them all together under one art festival. They open it up to all spiritual art and change the venues (sponsoring church) each year.

They are right that many artists have pent up sacred works inside of them. Many artists recognize that the skill that they possess is a God given talent and they want to create to give thanks for the gift. The problem is having a venue to show the pieces and find patrons that appreciate the deeper meaning of the art. Artists have to make a living. If they had a marketplace for spiritual work they would create more.

My goal when I create for the Creator is to produce art that leads the viewer closer to Him. That would be my definition for a sacred art. What would yours be?

What is Sacred Art?

Sacred Art, Article 2502 From the Catechism of the Catholic Church .

"Sacred art is true and beautiful when its form corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifying, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God - the surpassing invisible beauty of truth and love visible in Christ, who ‘reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature,' in whom ‘the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.' This spiritual beauty of God is reflected in the most holy Virgin Mother of God, the Angels and saints. Genuine sacred art draws man to adoration, to prayer, and to the love of God, Creator and Savior, the Holy One and Sanctifier."

The Life of Jesus Mural

2010-01-07T08:36:00.007-05:00

This is a mural that I painted at the end of 2009. I am very excited about this mural because it incorporates so much meaning for me in every brushstroke. This mural was created for a special family that wanted to give thanks to God for all of His blessings. Below is a slideshow of the work:

View all

Get your own

The scripture is from the Gospel of Luke: "My soul glorifies the Lord... and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior". This proclamation from Mary signifies the beginning of the life of Jesus just after the Annunciation. It also fits how the family loves the Lord. In the upper right hand corner is the star over the town of Bethlehem. The river is the Jordan River where the baptism of Jesus and God's proclamation that this was His Son. The mountain and foot hill areas represent the time of preaching, healing and other miracles that Jesus worked during His time on Earth. Their are vineyards (I am the vine you are the branches) and wheat fields (the chaff will be separated from the wheat).

The gate represents that gates of Jerusalem and the palm branches signify his triumphant return where the people laid down palm branches for their king. The table is set in the courtyard for the Last Supper where Jesus instituted Eucharist. The gate also leads out to Golgotha, represented by the set of three tall trees in the mid ground where He was crucified.

The sun is rising and the light of the Resurrection shines on the whole mural and prayerfully on all who view it.

I am in the process of creating a "Life of Jesus" painting and will post it soon. It incorporates even more of God's creation in telling the life of His Son. God Bless You.

Prayer Place Painting - Finally!

2009-11-06T09:52:00.004-05:00

It has been a busy Summer with family and painting. Time for some updates.

I have completed the North Carolina painting. The title is "Living Waters". As I explained in my last post this is a special place for me that takes me very close to our Creator. It is not a quiet place. The falling, rushing water is very present. You can hear it for quite a while as you approach. For me it speaks of the Living water that Jesus offers and it drowns out the rest of the world so I can be close, without distraction, and deep in prayer.

My prayer for you is that you find those places in your life where you feel the presence of God and can have a quiet, or not so quiet, moment to just be with Him.

More updates coming soon... A Beatitudes mural, a 'life of Jesus' mural that I am very excited to share and much more.

Prayer Place - North Carolina

2009-07-07T13:09:00.002-04:00

Photo Reference for my "Living Waters" painting.

This is an amazingly beautiful place in a hiking area near Brevard, North Carolina. This is not a quiet place. The rushing waters of the falls have volume but it is a very peaceful and very prayerful place for me. I visit as often as I can. The bench will be in the painting because it is so welcoming. It says, 'sit down, spend some time in prayer, be a part of this beautiful creation of God'. The current title for this painting is 'Living Waters' and it should be completed in the next couple of days. Look for a post soon...

Private Chapels

2009-07-01T08:43:00.003-04:00

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Many years ago I was reading an article about a couple who had purchased a large historically significant home in Winter Park, Florida. They loved many things about the home but they were most excited about the private chapel room that was a part of the home. It was grand but intimate and they said it brought a certain peace when they spent time in the room.

My first thought was how great that would be to have a place like that. Followed quickly by the realization that I could, though on a smaller scale, create a special prayerful place in my home and so could anyone else. I started looking for books and websites that talked about how people had created chapel like places in their homes and came to understand that there is no standard to be followed. In fact, they are as personal as each of our relationships are with God.

As an artist and a mural painter, I have had an opportunity to paint focal points for these prayerful places. Paintings with deep personal meaning for the family or individual. Paintings that hopefully bring a sense of peace to a small area in a home where someone can stop for a moment, close the door and pray to their Father in heaven, who is unseen.

If you have not already, find some place in your home and make it a special place where you can at any moment, stop and immerse yourself in the love of the Father. We need Him, everyday, all throughout our day, and sometimes we need a place where we can focus on Him alone, all alone. God Bless You on your journey back to Him.

Originals or Prints?

2009-06-22T22:23:00.005-04:00

I hope to talk more about how we can create chapels and prayerful places in our homes. I believe that inspired art can be a great way to create a focus in that prayerful place. I know that prints can make art more affordable and available to more people. However, for that special place in your home or church I believe that prayerfully created artwork, by the hands of the artist, contain that spark from the Creator that is lessened in mass production. The US bishops agree:

Quality art draws the beholder to the Creator, who stands behind the artist sharing his own creative power, for the "divine Artist passes on to the human artist a spark of his own surpassing wisdom."¹⁶³ This is true of music, architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery making, textiles, and furniture making, as well as other art forms that serve the liturgical environment. The integrity and energy of a piece of art, produced individually by the labor of an artist, is always to be preferred above objects that are mass-produced.
Excerpt from: Built of Living Stones

I am on a constant quest to include prayer in my creative process. My prayer is a hope that I will stay out of the way and let the painting become a God directed inspirational piece with great meaning. Whether or not I actually get out of the way and that happens is another story. But I also pray for the person or church that ends up owning the piece. That is how it becomes a prayerful painting and I hope a blessing to that person on their journey back to Him.

Buy original, inspiring art anytime you can. God Bless You on Your Journey.

The Annunciation

2009-06-17T21:33:00.003-04:00

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

To have faith like this. Maybe that is why I paint the Annunciation, this beautiful moment in time when Mary said yes. We remember and bow our heads during the creed in awe that the Son would come down and be among us to save us from all of the times when we say 'yes' to the world.

My prayer tonight is that my 'yes' will be as a servant of the Lord. God Bless You on this Journey back to Him.

Prayerful Places

2009-05-27T12:02:00.002-04:00

Remember that special place where you felt connected and at peace with your creator? We can fully connect with God like this anywhere and it does not have to be in a special place. There are times, however, when the place does set the stage for this intimate conversation and I like to call them 'prayerful places'. They may be a church or pilgrimage site but often times they are out in nature or other out of the way places.

I have found many of these places along the path on this journey back to Him. Some of the paintings on this blog are of prayerful places that will always have a special memory for me. When I look at the paintings they take me back and I hope they also invite you, the viewer of the painting, in.

My prayer with these paintings is to be part of the call to artists by John Paul II to create new sacred works that draw us to adoration, prayer and to the love of God. Now here is my call to you:

If you have ever encountered one of these 'prayerful places' please email me at scott@catholicartsource.com or DM me on Twitter. I would love to know your story and if you have photos, it might be the inspiration for my next painting.
As you journey through life, keep track of any of these places that you might encounter. Take pictures and take notes and please share them with this community.

Thank you and God Bless You on this journey back to Him.

A Special Place

2009-05-21T21:30:00.003-04:00

Last Summer I went to a Summer Conference at Franciscan University in Stuebenville, Ohio. I found a very prayerful place in the tiny Portiuncula Chapel on campus. I took photos of the place for future reference for a painting. I placed the chapel in a different setting. The normal setting is among tall trees and is very beautiful. The experience for me was more of a stop along a spiritual path (maybe the road to Emmaus?) and so I painted it in a new location.

Since then the chapel has been has been designated by the Vatican as a place where the faithful can receive a plenary indulgence—an elimination of the temporal punishment due to sin. You can read more about that here

The door is always open. Go and spend some time with Jesus. God Bless you on your journey.

Morning In Assisi

2009-05-19T20:43:00.004-04:00

It was the third week of our Italy trip with our four children. A lot of fun times, a lot of family (my wife's family is from a small village on the east coast of Italy), a lot of food and of course an artist's dream world of history and culture. We stayed for a month in the village and made day trips and sometimes longer excursions.

Our trip to Assisi was an overnight at a wonderful nunnery in the heart of the city. The view in the painting was from a photograph I took as I was heading down the hill at 6:00 in the morning for prayer and morning mass. The sun was just coming up and hit the cathedral. It was the beginning of a beautiful spiritual day that has fed my soul for a long time since then.

Enjoy the view.
"For it is in giving that we receive." Saint Francis of Assisi

The Hand of God

2009-05-18T21:35:00.001-04:00

The Hand of God, originally uploaded by catholicart.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16

This is the verse that describes my life as a Catholic Artist. I am trying to create ALL things for Him...

Nice Retreat - right on your computer

2009-01-23T22:08:00.000-05:00

Just a helpful retreat I have found that keeps me close...

Christmas Ornament

2008-11-28T22:13:00.001-05:00

Without much fanfare, here is the Scott Stafstrom Christmas Ornament for 2008. The meditation that goes with it is:

Come let us adore Him...
At Christmas and all throughout the year.

Many Blessings This Christmas.

Advent Journey, A Painting & Meditation.

2008-11-28T10:41:00.000-05:00

Advent Journey by Scott Stafstrom

"As you journey down the path of Advent,
Reaching the lowly stable... you enter.
As your eyes adjust to the light
emanating from the manger...
What do you see?

My hope this Advent is that you prepare to see more clearly and come to know more intimately the one true gift of Christmas."

I love Advent. Yes Advent. I enjoy preparing for the celebration of the birth of our Savior with different reflections and a determination to find more time for prayer. I am more inclined each year to wait longer and longer to put up the Christmas decorations and focus on the Journey of Advent. So I am beginning a new tradition as an artist.

Every year I prayerfully create a Christmas painting (where I try to get out of the way and let a message come through). I take that painting and reproduce it for family and friends. I will still be creating a new Christmas ornament this year but I am adding an Advent reflection and painting also to hopefully be a reminder of this time of preparation.

I usually give these only to family an friends, but some have asked if they are for sale. I agreed, but all of the proceeds will go to the Be An Angel program at our church. The company that prints them and handles the whole ordering process is Cafe Press and you can go directly to a site with my 2007 Advent and Christmas ornaments at: www.cafepress.com/scottstafstrom. Thanks and have a Happy Advent!

Scott

Queen of Peace

2008-02-23T11:22:00.000-05:00

Queen of Peace Catholic Church invited me to paint murals in two vestibules on opposite sides of the church. The subject matter was left open: maybe something about the life of Jesus, maybe some type of a mural depicting papal succession from Peter. So prayerfully, I sat in the church and in the vestibules and in my car on the way home and slowly the thought of the Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end), which is also engraved on the altar came into focus. The beginning of the life of Jesus on earth was the Annunciation and the end was at the Ascension. Right in the middle, architecturally in the church was the tabernacle, the pinnacle of His life here and so the idea really took shape.

Also, the church has a sign on the door as people exit. It says: Now entering mission territory. Mary's yes to God's will and Jesus' great commission right before his ascension are two of the best reminders of mission from the Gospel.

I have always loved Dore's engravings that he did depicting biblical events so I went to his renderings of these two events and took pieces and added my own. You can see from the pictures how the murals developed and how they are now a prayerful addition to a wonderful parish.