As a member of the 1967 Presbyterian College football team, John Carroll Doyle showed his thanks to the school by presenting it with a large oil painting depicting Raymond McElveen, a player for the school in 1918, holding a leather helmet while wearing an old PC uniform. The painting was created from vintage photographs of Blue Hose leatherheads supplied to Doyle by the schools Director of Planned Giving, John Cullum. On the back of the canvas, the artist has written: "This painting is dedicated to all those young men of integrity who have worn the Presbyterian College uniform."
McElveens family is very proud that Doyle chose their grandfathers image for the large 5'x 3'original oil canvas. As a result, the family is working to fund a scholarship in McElveens honor. Doyle, who had never played sports at Charleston High School because of his low grades (which was explained later by a diagnoses of severe dyslexia), decided after four years of military service to use the G.I. Bill and try college football.
"I wouldn't recommend it" says Doyle with a smile, who saw many well seasoned high school stars sit on the bench. PC's coaches Cally Gault and Billy Tiller assigned Doyle to the position of defensive end on what they called the meat team. For those who do not know the term meat team, which is also called the scout team, it is made up of expendable players who run plays repetitively against the first string players in practice. After one season of bruised ribs, sprained ankles, and many ice packs, the artist had experienced firsthand what college level football was all about. After that, he decided to stick with what he knew best; painting paintings!
Obviously the artists' destiny was not to be found on the football field. But after years of questioning his less than splendid athletic career where he sat on the bench over 42 years ago, Doyle couldn't have been more surprised to be sitting in the Presidential sky-box Saturday, November 21st, 2009 as a guest of PC's President John Griffith, as the Blue Hose hosted Gardner-Webb in the final game of the season. "Life is funny", said Doyle, "one day your'e sitting on the bench as a sixth string defensive end, and the next your'e sitting in the Presidents box of the college among the VIP seats."
We are happy to offer this textured giclee reproduction so that many others can enjoy this unique and special painting!
"At times when our deep beliefs are challenged, we can feel very alone and humbled to our knees thinking the flame of hope is about to flicker out.
In these times we will ask: Why is there so much tragedy in our lives, is there really a God, and why are we here?
If we can only "hold still" during these dark days of our soul and trust the intuitive knowledge of our heart, we will find the same wisdom that all true seekers have found no matter what culture...no matter what century.
And that wisdom is that our mission on this earth is to Love.
There is no higher Truth. Nothing less will do."
~ The Artist, John Doyle
"On first seeing this painting, some viewers will feel uncomfortable, seeing only a messenger of death.
However, if the viewers will take the time to make friends with the painting, they will hear its real message to live now and not put off living until its too late.
For me its message is to live now, to love now, to play now, and to smell the flowers.
Laughter and the joy of being alive are a very serious business.
And when should we start the joy?
Now is the time."
~ The Artist, John Doyle
The grand scale 72" x 36" portrait of the esteemed General Robert E. Lee was completed in 2011. The original oil on canvas is now in Private Collection.
"Our self-esteem, for the most part, is formed during the first crucial years of our upbringing. Through family and societal influences we are told who we are. Correctly or incorrectly, we become captives to this identity. We are told that we are pretty or ugly, intelligent or slow, brave or sissy, inferior or superior, etc. Here, a young girl studies a tree frog that she has captive in a mason jar. This small frog mirrors her own captivity. Will she learn that she possesses not only the power to free the frog, but also the power to free herself of any internal fear or shame?"
~ The Artist, John Doyle
"There is a music within us that speaks, not through our intellect, but from deep within our souls.
We may call it intuition, or a sixth sense; but it is there, and it carries with it a wisdom that transcends logic.
If we would learn to tune in to this magical music and follow its' wisdom, it could keep us out of harm's way and guide us to greater happiness."
~ The Artist, John Doyle
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