Artist's Statement
He Who Would Valiant Be
An old English hymn, one of my favourites and often sung during morning assembly in the Grammar School I attended in England. I have encountered many men and women whose presence brought these words to mind for me. Here I have portrayed but a handful of these worthy souls.
The lines:
He who would valiant be gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master.
There's no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound –his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.
Since, Lord, Thou dost defend us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end, shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away! I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labour night and day to be a pilgrim.
Dal Schindell: Retired Instructor, Director of the Lookout Gallery, Director of Publications at Regent College.
Loren Wilkenson: Professor, Interdisciplinary Studies & Philosophy, Regent College.
Father Joseph Soria: Priest of the Opus Dei, Vancouver.
Andrew Lai: Catholic Friend.
David Gotts: Founder of International China Concern - a community of people who lavish love on the discarded orphans of China.
Ken Lyotier: Founder of United We Can - a street charity in Vancouver Downtown Eastside that seeks to support the community and environment.
Brian Taylor No.1: Sacred tattoos!
Brian Taylor No.2
Lorne Kimber: 1948—2008 This painting can be found in the 'Past Works' page.