Creativity can be considered an act of worship; to artist Mark Sanislo, a parishioner of Epiphany in Coon Rapids, glorifying God comes through the stroke of a paintbrush. Sanislo said that reflection and prayer are instrumental in his sacred art.
Sanislo told “Practicing Catholic” producer Rachael McCallum in a program set to air at 9 p.m. Feb. 7 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM, “I’m a person with strong faith. It’s important to me. I couldn’t ask for anything better than to be able to weave my professional work experience with what is most important to me, with my faith.”
He explained that as an artist, he is a storyteller. To know the story of what he’s crafting, Sanislo will talk with pastors about certain saints and how to portray them, such as one painting he completed that depicts the wedding at Cana. Even after his work is finished, Sanislo talks with people who respond to his paintings. Through these conversations, Sanislo said he’s grown spiritually and artistically.
“It’s a double blessing,” Sanislo said. “On the one hand there is a spiritual inspiration that happens, and so I get to experience that and that’s huge, but I’m also operating with my artistic brain. You could say that I’m being inspired artistically, but I’m also being inspired spiritually, so I get great satisfaction from both.”
Sanislo has been involved in Epiphany’s efforts to renovate the church, including the sanctuary where Sanislo is painting five murals as part of the installation. On the main wall of the church, a 30-foot-by-30-foot space, Sanislo painted over 35 figures in one mural. The work took almost a year to complete.
Early in his career, Sanislo painted stage scenery, but much of his experience came through life-size portrait painting.
“The tools were already in place,” Sanislo said. “It’s been a gradual journey of acquiring these skills.”
Sanislo became well-known for his artwork in Epiphany when he painted a life-size portrait of the parish’s founding pastor, Father Bernard Reiser. The painting was unveiled 25 years ago.
“These things lead from one art piece to another and over time, it’s developed,” Sanislo said.
To hear more from Sanislo about his career as an artist, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. Feb. 8 and 2 p.m. Feb. 9.
The program also includes a conversation with Bishop Michael Izen, who shares how forgiveness and mercy allow Catholics to imitate God. Also, Father Allen Paul Eilen shares how each of us is called to holiness and to become a saint.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, “Practicing Catholic” can be heard after it has aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
