( published in The Catholic Advocate March 26,
1997 )
By Michael Wojcik
A tray of paint bottles sits
beside a drafting table in the basement of St. Casmir's rectory, Newark. Not far
from the tray rests a stack of books on painting. The soothing sounds of
classical music waft out from under the drafting table as artist Joao Filipe
examines his yet-to-be-finished project.
The mention of classical music
here is no accident. Instead, it defines his artistry. From the basement of St.
Casmir's for the past two years, Filipe has painted icons, his own
representations of notable religious artwork by others.
These icons
aren't merely "copies" of originals, but his "interpretations" of other artists'
talents. Filipe, at 38 years old, likens himself to a classical musician who
seasons the works of the great masters with a "personal touch".
Since
arriving in the United States six years ago, he Portuguese artist has painted
about 180 icons and 25 liturgical candles. Icons take 25-70 hours to
finish-depending on size-over a three-week period. The short delay involves
waiting for several layers of paint to dry, he said.
Filipe's subjects
range from Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary to the saints and biblical scenes.
In the basement studio, he showed off paintings of the Nativity, the
Annunciation, the Resurrection and the Last Supper as well as portraits of St.
Thomas, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Nicholas and St. Andrew.
First,
Filipe selects the wood. He prefers oak planks form the backs of old pews he
gets from a friend who renovates churches. The artist give the wood its first
coat of paint and then traces onto the board an outline of the icon's design
that he copies from a book or sketches freehand.
When it comes to paint
drying, a lot depends on the weather. If it's too humid or wet, the paint will
take longer to dry. In addition, Filipe covers his artworks at night to shield
them from the basement dust.
After several layers of paint dry, Filipe
pastes on "gold leaf" an expensive decal-like product--made of real gold-he uses
to fill in the backgrounds.
Word about his art has spread far and wide.
Filipe's icons and liturgical candles grace dozens of Catholic parishes,
non-Catholic churches and homes in and around Newark Archdiocese. Even the
Archbishop has a Filipe creation hanging in his chapel, artist said.
An
iconographer for fifteen years, Filipe set up shop at St. Casmir's at the
invitation of Father Felix Marciniak, the pastor, who was impressed with the
quality of his work during a visit to the artist's apartment.
"Father Felix
is a great patron of the arts," Filipe said.
Yet Filipe's artistry tells
only half of his story, for painting only constitutes part of his mission:
evangelization.
In January 1991, Filipe came to America with wife Ana and
their children as a Lay Ministry Family, commissioned personally by Pope John
Paul II. The Pontiff had asked for Catholic families to serve in areas of the
world where the traditional family was in danger.
Such as America, in
particular the Newark Archdiocese.
When they arrived, the Filipes first
ministered at Holy Trinity Parish, Newark. As immigrants themselves, Joao and
Ana evangelized to people who could relate to them: Lithuanians and Portuguese
newcomers.
Today, the Filipes are "normal" and
"self-supporting
family" that goes door-to-door around local neighborhoods as part of the
Neocatechumenate adult-formation programs of the following parishes: St. Mary,
West New York; Holy Cross, Harrison; and St. Michael, Newark, Joao
said.
"Evangelization is about being here ( in the archdiocese ); it's
about living among the people and telling about our experience of God", Ana
said, adding that their large family of six small children has turned more than
a few heads.
Born, raised and married in Portugal 13 years ago, both Joao
and Ana described themselves as non-religious and "selfish" people who came to
God in early adulthood.