The Multi Talented Masonic Graphic Artist
Brother Ryan J. Flynn
by
Worshipful Brother Frederic L. Milliken
There is a new Masonic graphic artist on the scene and he is on
fire! Brother Ryan Flynn, Senior Deacon of Ancient York Lodge No 89, Nashua, New
Hampshire has designed two stained glass windows for his Lodge building. And it
all started with an E-Mail.
“The Building
Committee is looking to do some decals for the windows in the east. I mentioned
your name. It’s time to do your thing.”
Flynn’s business partner and friend Brother Chris Busby knew that
he had the right man for the job. So these two, working with Past Master Robert
Bianchi of Nahua’s other Lodge, Rising Sun No 39, created two windows in plastic
in five weeks. The artwork was all Flynn’s and when they get the funds to put it
into real stained glass that will also be the work of Flynn. Not just a
designer and artist, Flynn has also a deep understanding of the art of making
stained glass windows.
It will be quite an improvement on the immense shutters that
cover the windows now and make the Lodge look like a building trying to survive
an imminent hurricane. “Those dingy old shutters have never been opened since
I was raised a Master Mason here 3 ½ years ago”, quips Flynn.
“ Let there be light, beautiful light, is our new motto.”
Flynn has been an artist since childhood and has the credentials,
the education and the experience to spread his wings now in this new found
Brotherhood of Freemasonry.
“I have been artistic ever since I could remember, but when I
went to High School at Lexington Christian Academy, my teacher and mentor Chip
Vanderbrug really implanted the love of art into my heart. That coupled with
another amazing teacher of history, Dr. Watts, I came out of high school loving
history and art and eventually went on to get my Bachelors degree from the
University of Massachusetts in Fine Art and Graphic Design. While I was in
school I loved to study about symbology, numerology and architecture. It became
a hobby of mine. In 2006 I studied at the Univeristy of Richmond in Florence,
Italy for a summer. While I was studying painting and architecture there I
didn’t realize it but I was learning the beginnings of Freemasonry. I learned of
the guilds of stone masons who worked together and trusted one another to create
the architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance, and how they would learn from
the ancients about geometry and science, yet only shared the knowledge with
other members of the guild. So when I was approached to design these two windows
I was eager to implant the lessons of art history and numerology into them.”
It’s one thing to be an artist but it’s another to have the
knowledge of the Craft to actually create something that is relevant. Flynn is
not a one dimensional person. He combines a knowledge of history, numerology,
religion, ancient symbols and sacred geometry with his art and design. And he
has the ability to manufacture art, a person of great creativity who also has
the abilities of practical application. How many artist’s do you know who can
also make a stained glass window?
Here is how it all came together:
“I was facing two windows, and I knew immediately that I wanted
to express the two types of masonry, speculative and operative. The colors used
would be Blue for Blue Lodge, Purple for Grand Lodge and incorporate red,
historically, the most brilliant, expensive glass color. (due to it being made
with gold). The window space was a 108 x 44 rectangle but I knew I wanted to
make it an arch. The border of the window would be 3 levels, with 8 medallions
in them. 8, numerologically speaking represents eternity (hence, if you take a
number 8 and rotate it 90º, it becomes the infinity symbol.)”
“The operative masonry window would be in the north window. It
would have the square and compass being illuminated by the light of deity. The
compass would have a 24 point star behind it with a circular border consisting
of 32 sections. Surrounding would be the icons of the 5 Masonic organizations
that have met in the building - York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Rainbow
and DeMolay and these would be done in circles with borders that have 32
sections. In the medallions around the border are 8 symbols from the master
mason degree.”
“The light shining down has a ratio connected to it. Many people do not know
that 3,5 and 7 can be used to make Euclid's 4th problem. By combining the
circles in a particular way, it creates a specific angle that would be used to
show the beam of light. I have attached a diagram here that outlines that.”
“Underneath the compass, lies 2 sprigs of acacia, with 32 total leaves.”
“On the bottom, I have placed the 2 columns on each
side, with the masters apron, and the unfinished temple below. In the temple,
the top, unfinished level lies large blocks. This is historically accurate for
the ancient temples and ziggurats of ancient times, large unfinished blocks were
placed to hold walls and arches in place before finishing pieces were added for
aesthetic values.”
“Another feature I wished to use was the use of linear
perspective when drawing the bottom half of the windows. As I mentioned before,
in Italy I had studied the Italian architectural wonders of the past. My
favorite person who I studied was Filipo Brunelleschi, who arguably started the
Renaissance by spending his time observing the works of the ancients and
dedicating himself to learning about geometry, physics and math. One of his
lesser known contributions to mankind was the discovery of linear perspective,
a way of organizing mathematical points on a 2 dimensional plane that mimic 3
dimensional objects. This type of drafting was used to draw the mosaic floor and
temple structure. On the bottom, celebrating the two blue lodges that use the
temple, have been placed Ancient York No 89 and Rising Sun No 39.”
“The south window's theme was speculative masonry. The top is
nearly identical, with the exception that the square and compass stand alone.
Below, I placed the 3 tenants of Freemasonry written in Latin - Brotherly
Love, Relief and Truth, surrounding figures representing - Faith, Hope
and Charity, with charity above all else. Each stand on a pedestal
consisting of 3, 5 and 7 steps with the corresponding titles of what they stand
for written on them. Above the figures rises an arch with the working tools of
Freemasons inside the bricks.”
“The figure of faith, on the left, stands holding her
hands clasping a candle. As we learn in the EA history, faith was traditionally
represented by two hands joined together. This is my way of incorporating that
into the windows. Symbolically speaking, fire or light was a traditional
representation of faith going back to times immemorial. Some of the most ancient
religious structures in the world such as the tombs of Knowth and Newgrange
Ireland were built to channel and deliver light onto the selected few who
sought it. Thus, I included the lit candle into the figure of faith.
Traditionally, the colors of red and purple were used to symbolize faith.”
“Hope, stands looking up in the traditional pose of hope, with
the hand covering the breast. This pose was traditionally used in paintings and
other depictions of the Annunciation in Christian art as well as in Greek and
Roman art depicting the gods. She stands with her anchor by her side. Along with
Masons representing hope with an anchor, the Hebrews and Christians use it as
well, based on the book of Hebrews. She stands wearing blue, the color of hope,
which was thought to go back to the times of ancient seafarers that would hope
for blue skies and easy sailing.”
“Charity stands center, above all others. She is clad in green
and brown, the earth colors, which symbolize harvest and plenty. She stands
handing out grain from a basket, looking out at the viewer. I wanted it to look
like she was challenging us to follow in her footsteps and be as charitable as
possible.”
“Finally, on the bottom of the window, the words
"Behold how good and pleasant it is for men to dwell together in unity," one
of my favorite lines from ritual.”
This multidimensional, multi talented Mason is already looking
ahead to the next project for his Lodge, multidimensional and multi talented
because he is also a student of hieroglyphics. And that expertise will translate
into 3 large clay tablets depicting the 3 Degrees in Freemasonry stylized to
mimic Egyptian hieroglyphics.
But first he must get the stained glass design made into actual
stained glass windows. And that is going to take money. If you would like to
contribute to this endeavor, this labor of love, please visit
http://www.thedigitalmason.com/
and consider purchasing a Masonic Stained Glass Print!
“This project was an amazing experience to partake in. I have
been looking for a way to use my talents for something bigger than myself, and
Masonry seems to be giving me the opportunity to do so. I hope I can work with
my Lodge for more opportunities to produce artworks that will bring in funds for
charity and others. I have many other ideas that I think will help me help
Lodges to really make a difference in this world. And hope other Lodges will
contact me to do this. I feel it is my civic, Christian and Masonic duty to use
my talents to help out as many as I can, and God willing, these windows will be
just the beginning of my Masonic journey.”
