Mark - The Solar Prophet

Just received this email from a college professor and good friend of mine and wanted to share it with you fellow bloggers:

A little history on Mark and how we met:

This is Mark Siebold. He was a professor of Astronomy at Concordia College when I attended there back in 2004. Mark opened my eyes to the wonders of His creation through the telescope. He sets up his solar telescope during the day out at Starbucks in Troutdale where he lives. And when I was in his class, he invited us to Larch Mtn. with some Rose City Astronomers to look and learn about all the different constellations.

I wrote an article about Mark for the Concordia Newspaper that was never published because some fellow students in my astronomy class felt he was being too “scientific” and sharing evolution, instead of creationism. So this gang of students went to the Dean and got him fired! Unbenounced to me, the Dean fired him on the day they were putting my article into the newspaper about him! Needless to say, my advocating for him, did not end there…I have continued to encourage him to keep drawing and painting, to take pictures of what he sees in His creation, and well…the rest is history.

I hope this encourages you like it has me.

Paula

P.S. Pictures from our Larch Mountain trip.....

*Here is a preliminary send > let me know if these work for you>
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/markseibold/01c3ccd5.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/markseibold/0f245034.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/markseibold/a2987a26.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a109/markseibold/99d160dd.jpg


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To all

I was deeply moved to tears last night when a Viet Nam vet sent me this message to convey what my recent pastel he saw in SPaceweather.com and what it meant to him - I have received some mesages that have humbled me but nothing compares to this. He had sent an earlier message that was short and only asking if I would send a larger file so he could print out my art. I assumed that he was a young soldier in training. I then explained to him that I would not just give my art away over the web; Now I feel much different about ever taking money for just anything [in life]. My universe is now upside down, but they say that there is no up or down in the universe. I have much to learn yet.
- Mark

The following is the letter from Wayne; A 57 year old Viet Nam vet who lost a leg in combat in Viet Nam, but there is much more than the loss of a limb - Warning: This letter is not for the weak of heart or stomach:


If you will tell me where I will send you some funds . I went through
hell myself . I served with the 1st Marine Division in Nam back in the 60's . I was hit , and lost a leg , and other
wounds . I learned appreciation of form in art on the battlefield as I picked up body parts after firefights , and
landmines . Images I cannot remove from my mind . It was by loss that I gained appreciation . Trying to put
things back together in my mind I would draw , then throw it away ........ a hand gone , an arm gone , legs gone
thrown away , blown away in payment for the sacred freedom . How precious both are . How dangerious both can be ,
what wonderment both can bring . My sickness to resolve my pain finally now being able say it is for fun ; being able
to draw , and want to keep it ..... now at 57 years old .
For many years I was distressed to see the color black . I wore white socks , and only white t-shirts , and only
blue jeans . The V.C. wore black . It took years , and years, and years to break away ... pure sickness .

Even today there are hands , and swift feet moving to work good , and evil . Unseen hands , and feet deciding our
fate in secret , and sometimes not . The unseen hand , but we know there is a hand in play somewhere for fun, and
for evil , and we pray for good .

When I saw your hand reaching out in that drawing I said to myself ..... dear God , I hope it is your hand of devine protection
to prevent the Sun , and all under the Sun on Earth . I thought of Jesus , and HIS pierced hands as HE fought evil that comes .

I believe I am still sick . I believe this is why we all appreciate art by a very skilled one . We want to see our fears , our hopes, and
we want to see Jesus as we cry for what we fear, and have seen destroyed remade in the image . Everything relives in the image
of what did not get us , and what will perhaps come upon us .

I am really sorry to hear about your wife . I had no idea this immigration thing was this bad . I had not thought about a
situation like this . I too lost my wife , but I lost my wife , and home in a divorce . I remarried , but feel as much alone
inside as I ever have .

Mark allow me to send you some funds . If you would a place to send it . I know you have it tough .
I mean you need help . Who knows .... maybe .... just maybe .... you might one day in your art
capture the agony of a wounded Marine on the battlefield if the mood moves upon you .
Its the feeling that makes it happen otherwise it will not happen .

wayne (Semper Fi)

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To see more of Mark's artwork, check out his website at:

http://myspace.com/marksolarprophet