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I'm Frank J Casella, an American photographer living in Chicagoland - USA. Pictures speak in ways that words can not. Since I was a kid, I've been perfecting how to put my viewer where my subject is - I call this "Pictures People Listen To".


I'm also co-founder of Chicago Catholic Men's Conference, and Executive Director of Catholic Men Chicago Southland. I believe when you foster a man in holiness, the positive adjustments he makes with his life can have an impact three generations deep.







Where To Find Me At The Link Below:

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“There are pictures that are very nice, but completely fake. Let me assure you that the heart can’t be 'photoshopped,' because that’s where authentic love and genuine happiness have to be found"
-- Pope Francis - January 21, 2018



'But for everyone, believers or not, the works of art inspired by Scripture remain a reflection of the unfathomable mystery which engulfs and inhabits the world.'
-- St. Pope John Paul II, Letter to Artists

“As a photographer, the big secret is entering into the charisma with the person you have in front of you. If you don't feel it, you'll never do it well.” ~ ARTURO MARI
, Vatican photographer

Perfect Moment - Spiral Notebook by Frank J Casella




Although this scene may seem the perfect moment, as a photographer I have many choices now with the digital technology how I want to present the story.

I've learned not to wait for the perfection because, honestly, I would never stop tweaking it. Each time I see my completed work I would see the flaws.

So I took the mindset that only God is perfect, and purposely leave each work a little undone. I now no longer see the flaws, and people respond to my work far more than before.

Likewise, although this scene is the perfect family moment, I've never met a perfect family. The more we try to be, or make our family perfectly, the more we rob ourselves of happiness.

Enjoy your day!

Frank



'Pictures That Share Hope and God's Love in the World'




Reference Link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/perfect-moment-frank-j-casella.html



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Autumn Raindrops Car Reflections Metal Print by Frank J Casella




Wet Midwest Autumn leaves and raindrops on the hood of a car reflecting the cloudy sky.



There is a certain beauty to the changing of each season. Fall is the most profound I think, because the changing colors of the trees and the weather from warm to cool.



There is also a certain beauty to the changing seasons of a family. An example of this for me are the elements of my children getting older ...



We now ave three Ford's in our driveway, as my two sons have bought their own (For you Ford fanatics: a Fusion and California Special Mustang). My parent's bought their first Ford in the 1950's, and so a third generation continues ...



I reflect now on the day's of my first car and how well I took care of it -- so the raindrops would bead off the paint -- before the next season of life came, that took my attention away from this a bit.



Seasons come and go, both in life and with nature. As it changes over time, some things never change.



Enjoy your day!

Frank



'Pictures That Share Hope and God's Love in the World'




Reference Link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/autumn-raindrops-car-reflections-frank-j-casella.html




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October Vibes - Color Photo by Frank J Casella


I love to walk down the street on mornings in October. The cool Autumn air and the changing colors in the trees, with the strong sunlight and shadows. Throw in pumpkins on a picket fence for good measure.

When I look at this scene all of my problems go away, and I see how simple things bring dramatic beauty to our world.


Enjoy your day!

Frank


'Pictures That Share Hope and God's Love in the World'



Reference Link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/october-vibes-frank-j-casella.html




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If there is one thing that makes me smile is that when I see people with true joy. When we smile with joy, it makes people wonder what we're up to.

This is because many of us need more joy. We tend to focus on our problems, and not so much our blessings. Would you agree?

As a photographer who 'studies' body language, as this is what I use for the story telling in my pictures, I find that many of us try to live life in our own strength.

For those of us who believe, our conversion to God is not a one time thing. It is a daily thing .. and work in progress.

We also need to concentrate to replace our bad habits with our good habits ... or create new ones to begin with. And THINK!

For example, when each of my children started the season of their teenage years my wife and I would sit them down and explain the house rule of friendship love.

What this means is there is no dating allowed until they are old enough to be married. Because in our culture today, if you are dating someone it is common thought that you're having sex with them. If you are a Christian, sex is a sacred gift for the marriage bed.

The important thing is to be friends with everyone, and this relieves all the relationship issues common today with teenage love. ... and boy's testosterone changes.

My oldest this year turned 21, so I asked him why he's not a girlfriend yet. He told me the friendship love rule forced him to look at women as a person, and he also observed the confusion from his friends about who they should hook up with next.

He said that he didn't understand the rule to begin with, but then once girls befriended him because they felt his sincere respect for them, he came to realize that whomever he dates must be at a time both are ready for marriage, and he'll know by how they are a gift to each other.

You see, our daily life experiences, and how we respond to conversion, is what brings joy to our lives. And to keep things SIMPLE.

Anyone who believes they can do things on their own, without tapping into an outside source bigger than ourselves, can not experience true joy.

Instead we do things based on feeling or desire, as a wandering generality instead of a meaningful specific.

So, each day look at life through the eyes of God, and let me know when you experience true joy.





Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella
Lensmen
frankjcasella.pixels.com



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Pictures speak in ways that words can not. I've had a camera in my hand since I was a kid, and since then perfecting how to put my viewer where my subject is -- I call this "Pictures People Listen To".


I'm a product of Columbia College Chicago and, shortly after, my childhood dream became reality when I was assigned to photograph the ministry of the (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Chicago - the late Joseph Cardinal Bernardin. 

My artwork style is inspired by Norman Rockwell. I'm privileged to be nurtured by John H. White - Pulitzer Prize photojournalist.


To that end, here are positive reasons why I post each new entry primarily on my own site, not on social media:


1. Having a home

This blog is a creative outlet for me. When I want you to know something, I'm going to talk about it here. This is where you'll be able to find me over time and space. This is my home. People in my old neighborhood used to just drop by to sit on the front porch and catch up; this site serves the same purpose for me. It's something we can depend on so we can always be in contact.


2. Internet citizenship

This is called the "web" because our sites all interconnect with links. Hyperlinking is what gives the Internet its richness. Following links has helped me learn so much, and give back. My own site lets me do that.


I've become passionate about designing my life around focused work and protecting my time from distraction and devices. After all, it's the only way to get any photography done.


Follow along with my journey by subscribing below. Talk to you soon!


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Here you will find links to the Frank J Casella Art and Photography products(Easter, Christmas, Mothers Day, etc.). Simply copy the short link for the product of your interest into a new browser window / tab, then option to enter the holiday or keyword of interest into the search box Click on your artwork selection and purchase.

Bookmark this page or use this short link https://tinyurl.com/FJC-Products-2018



100% SECURE SHOPPING! Every purchase is fulfilled by Fine Art America | Pixels.Com and includes a Satisfaction Guarantee.

Note: To give you confidence links below may first open with a preview of the full link.

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iPhone Cases http://tinyurl.com/pzlndzj

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Canvas Prints https://tinyurl.com/yba9c6qd

Wood Prints https://tinyurl.com/y7hs84j4

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Measuring Up To Jesus - Acrylic Print by Frank J Casella



The other day when I was on Twitter a quote I saw from sales guru hit me: “You become what you think about all day long”. It made me ponder on what I think about every day, which lead me to realize how much my thinking – and lifestyle – has changed over the years.


I used to be more selfish, helping and serving others with the end motive of serving my own needs and ego, and praying for my own needs – talking to God more than listening. St. Francis says [that] it is through giving that we receive, and I took it literal.


Today … when I give of myself I don’t look for what I receive, because the real gift is how God is blessing others through me .. which I may never see. My agenda has become God’s agenda. Said another way, I live my life as a prayer.


If we focus our attention on bad news and gossip (about Christians) we will miss God's incredible, visionary, optimistic purpose for every believer: to grow so much in our faith that we shine like beacons to everyone around us!


God's vision for each church is that we would grow so much in our love for God that we'd love people the way He loves them: unconditionally and passionately. He want's us to be filled up with Christ's grace, truth, and purpose so that everything we do will reflect Him to those around us.


I assure you, the longer you look at Jesus on that Cross, the more He will speak to you about who you are and how you can become more Holy.


The greatest image I have of my late father is how he prayed the rosary, looking at the Cross, each morning in a room with only the window light – just him and God – before leaving for work.


The greatest image my children say they have of me is how I kiss the crucifix each morning as soon as I wake up. What they don’t see is how often I spend just looking at it in holy contemplation.


"If a hypocrite is standing between you and God, it just means the hypocrite is closer to God than you are." -- Zig Ziglar




Enjoy your day! Talk to you again tomorrow!

Frank


'Pictures That Share Hope and God's Love in the World'



Reference Link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/measuring-up-to-jesus-frank-j-casella.html



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Gold On Gold Carry-all Pouch by Frank J Casella



Gold Autumn leaves illuminated by the golden hour sunlight, with blue sky backdrop.

Hope the brilliance of this moment in time makes you smile as it does with me.

(Be sure to view the video below the product, found at the link above, to learn more)


Enjoy your day! Talk to you again tomorrow!

Frank


'Pictures That Share Hope and God's Love in the World'



Reference Link https://fineartamerica.com/featured/gold-on-gold-frank-j-casella.html




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In our instant, technology driven world, Christmas is time of the year that in place of emails and texting many of us send personalized Christmas cards. Greeting / Note Cards provide us the opportunity to remind those who are important to us that they are close to our hearts. Much of my Holiday artwork is Catholic, Christian themed.



To purchase your Christmas Cards at the links provided below, click the artwork of your choice, you can choose to adjust the background color and the image size. You will also see on that order page discounts available from when you purchase single cards to a box set of 10 or 25 religious Christmas cards. Envelopes included each card.

The inside of each card has a matte white finish and can be customized with your own message up to 500 characters in in length. If you don't have a message, you can copy and paste the one below into the box provided on the order page:


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WE BELIEVE in the miracle of the virgin birth
In a tiny baby who came to save the earth;
In a risen Savior who forgives sins;
In a love that knows no end.

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Do you send out Christmas cards through the Post Office or give boxed gift sets? Below at the links are a broad selection from both myself and the living artists of Fine Art America.


View my Best Sellers gallery. More information available in the gallery description.


Likewise, if you're looking for religious cards, here is the growing Christmas selection from Catholic Art Gallery on Fine Art America that I admin. Just click on any image and you will see your option to order your Greeting Cards.


Use this link for a larger selection of Casella Artwork https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/frankjcasella/art/christmas


Here are selections from past contests and for artwork by Fine Art America artists:


Use this link for a selection from my fellow artists on fineartamerica.com

Contest - Religious Christmas Cards.

Contest - Holy Christmas Greeting Cards.

Contest - Jesus Manger Prints and Greeting Cards.




About Greeting Cards:

Our greeting / note cards are 5" x 7" in size and are produced on digital offset printers using 110 lb. paper stock.

Each card is coated with a UV protectant on the outside surface which produces a semi-gloss finish.

The inside of each card has a matte white finish and can be customized with a text message up to 500 characters in length.

Cards can be ordered in a horizontal or vertical configuration.

Cards can be ordered with a white background or black background.

All greeting cards ship within one business day of the order date!

Each card comes with a white envelope for mailing and gift giving.


TIP: You can purchase individual card (orders) and mail each of them direct to your recipient!





Please let me know how I may be of further assistance to your Greeting Card needs, thank you for being my Customer.



Enjoy your day!

Frank J Casella, Artistic Photographer



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