As a youngster, Michael Sincic recalls his interest in doodling and drawing cartoon characters, but hockey was at the forefront. This, however, changed at age 13 when an illness caused him to lose his vision. He turned to art, which became his outlet for self-expression.
“I tried some different types of art, but really enjoyed the feel of watercolors. I have done pottery and really enjoy it. It is also very relaxing like watercolors, but I have not found a place to set up my wheel and kiln,” he explains.
His natural artistic talents were further cultivated when he started working with an art therapist during his school years. This was the point when he found his niche with watercolors. This set him on his path to use his watercolor talents to proclaim God.
“I always feel God is watching over me, and it is through artistic productions that I am able to share my story of how God has blessed me.”
Michael’s story is certainly inspirational and a testament that God has a plan for everyone.
Tumor Causes Vision Loss
“In my youth, I started having a series of headaches, dizziness, blackouts and eventually double vision over the two years that led to the discovery of a brain tumor at the age of 13. This tumor was creating a lot of pressure and interfering with my vision,” says Michael.
“My parents started to do research to find a surgeon who could help me. After sending films out to many different hospitals, they found a surgeon in New York who was very familiar with my type of tumor. My family and I flew to New York. After nine and a half hours of surgery, the tumor was out but it had severed my optic nerves and left me blind,” he continues.
The underlying inspiration of Michael’s story is how this experience enabled him to cultivate his relationship with God.
Letting God Lead
“During this process, I never doubted God but rather turned to him for direction,” he reflects. “I had to learn a new way of reading, writing, walking and basically a whole new way of life,” he says.
While it took a few years following his surgery, Michael found headway during his school years. God’s divine intervention led Michael to work with an art therapist who introduced him to watercolors.
“My introduction to this style of art was definitely a gift from God as it offered me a channel for self-expression.” Self-expression is the pinnacle for every artist as it roots their voice and distinct artistic style, he adds.
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Michael uses mindfulness to create his artwork.
“I get a picture in my mind of what the end product ought to be, and I use various techniques to produce the vision in my mind,” Michael explains.
Mindfulness enables him to see the image and systematically think through each segment of the portrait to determine the best method to employ for its creation.
Some of his techniques are to use masking tape as dividing lines for the various segments of the art production, pipe cleaners to manipulate and produce varied shaped objects and the actual coloring, of which he times out portions of production so he can feel the dried segments of the art piece. The principal technique, however, is simply feeling the production.
“God gives us the necessary tools we need to glorify him. He gave me the tool to feel and through this sense, I move forward in producing my artwork,” he says.
“As stated, coloring offers me a method of self-expression and to communicate with my viewers. I am grateful to God to have this channel,” says Michael.
Michael is truly an instrument of God’s divine plan as aspects of his vision are starting to return despite there being no medical rationale as to why this is occurring. At this point, he is able to see defined shadows.
“God is in control of my life and of his creations. Like any father, our heavenly Father knows us and what we need.”
Michael’s Message
His artistic efforts are surely inspiring, and when asked what message he wishes to share with readers, he states that even with setbacks, there are ways of accomplishing one’s goals.
“I share this message in all the talks I give at the various schools I visit; likewise, I try to share this message in the broader community,” he says.
“I let God guide my life. He has offered me so many blessings and has guided me to this point.”
Through art, he has come to better know God and my message is for others to cultivate their God given talents to understand and serve God in their daily life, he shares.
“I believe art is the core of my life. Art offers us so many perspectives of seeing this world and the perspectives enable a reflection of God and all he has created for humanity.”
The beauty in Michael’s productions is the simplicity of the actual completed portrait in correlation with the diverse and intricate color system he uses.
His work reflects the beauty of God’s landscape: A Winter Solstice, Sunset, Shades of Green, or Peace on Walloon. Many of his other productions are available for viewing at michaelsincic.com.
-Michael Dern
Faith Magazine Correspondent
