“Bishop Artist” illustrates portrait of Bishop Mulvey

On May 3, East Texas artist Michael Lawrence presented Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey a portrait he drew of the bishop as part of a project in the age-old custom of portrait art. Lawrence has illustrated a number of other bishops, including Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody.
 
At first glance, the portrait of Bishop Mulvey resembles a photograph, but features a glint in the eye and an inexplicably more animated expression, qualities that many agree only handmade portraits can capture.
 
For Catholics interested in the age-old custom of portrait art, Lawrence is hoping to bring that custom back. “Up until about 100 years ago, it was a pretty common thing for bishops to have their portraits made,” Lawrence said.
 
The portrait of Bishop Mulvey is a graphite pencil sketch on 16-ply crescent illustration board. As a self-taught artist, 22-year-old Lawrence has been drawing since his early teenage years and says he prefers working with graphite as his main medium, for its “timelessness and simplicity.”
 
While still a young artist, Lawrence has a well-developed process. Before beginning any portrait, he takes digital photographs as references and says he seeks a primary reference photograph “that most expresses the personality of the subject.”
 
Lawrence is the son of Deacon Richard Lawrence, who serves as the Director of Discipleship and Stewardship for the Diocese of Tyler, and Nell Lawrence, who serves as the Director of Catholic Charities East Texas.
 
He hopes to continue using what he considers his “gift from God” to serve the Church, by continuing to illustrate portraits of bishops and reviving the lost art of portraiture.
 
Anyone who might be interested in purchasing a print of Bishops Mulvey or Carmody can go to Lawrence’s website www.bishopartist.com.