Art and Sacrificial Love: A Conversation with Michael D. O’Brien

by Clemens Cavallin, Michael D. O'Brien (Contributor)

This work is a profound and illuminating conversation between two Catholic artists who are also gifted writers. The setting is a house in the woods near Combermere, Canada. The two men are alone, free to explore the wellsprings of Christian art and the suffering that its creation entails. This moving discussion between the two artists and writers is not theoretical. It lays bare the anguish and the joy of a life lived in the service of an artist''s vocation.  Includes an eight-page art insert.

117 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2021

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A vocation is more than an occupation. It is a summons and a response, a departure from what is familiar, an entry into the unknown where one’s understanding of himself is shaken and all that he is will be challenged. It initiates a period of growth and radical change in values and perspectives. To choose to respond to this call is to choose disintegration and re-integration, is to undergo fear, pain and confusion in order that new vision and certainty may emerge. It is ultimately to die and to be reborn.”
This is an absolute gem of a book. Highly recommend for anyone and everyone, especially all lovers of beauty and anyone who feels they have lost touch with the creativity that dwells within them placed there by the Creator Himself.

[Chris (thebookaholic) Padgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is close to 5 stars for me. I appreciate the collection of insights into the importance of creativity and art. I also loved the brief and small glimpse into O’Brien’s life. I just wanted more. Thankfully Cavallin has written a bio on Michael O’Brien. As an aside, I really liked some of Cavallin’s art he inserted into the book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this little book! While the author states that he is primarily speaking to artists, this is a call to a Christian integration of soul that could be helpful to anyone weary of disintegrated ways of modernity.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cavallin gets into it with the art theory at times, most of which went over my head, but I really enjoyed this intimate look at author and artist Michael D. O’Brien. He is certainly a figure to aspire after.