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Friday, December 31, 2021

Donald R. Heldman, 33°. Deputy for Ohio. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins

Donald R. Heldman, 33°. Deputy for Ohio. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins
Donald R. Heldman, 33°. Deputy for Ohio. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Illustrious Brother
Donald R. Heldman
Deputy for the State of Ohio
Supreme Council, 33°
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

by Travis Simpkins


Core Values - Scottish Rite, NMJ


For more info, please visit:

scottishritenmj.org


Donald R. Heldman, 33°. Deputy for Ohio. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins
Donald R. Heldman, 33°. Deputy for Ohio. Supreme Council. Scottish Rite, NMJ. by Travis Simpkins
 

Queen Nefertiti. Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin. by Travis Simpkins

Queen Nefertiti. Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin. by Travis Simpkins
Queen Nefertiti. Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin. by Travis Simpkins


Sketch of the
Ancient Egyptian
Statue of Queen Nefertiti
Amarna Period. New Kingdom, Dynasty 18
1345 B.C.
Collection of
The Egyptian Museum, Berlin, Germany
by Travis Simpkins




Uncovering Queen Nefertiti's Lost Tomb





For more info, please visit:


Queen Nefertiti. Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin. by Travis Simpkins
Queen Nefertiti. Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian Museum, Berlin. by Travis Simpkins

Thursday, December 30, 2021

2021 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Photos with Travis Simpkins

R.W. Jeffrey Wonderling, Grand Master of the Grand  Lodge of Pennsylvania with Travis Simpkins
R.W. Jeffrey Wonderling, Grand Master of the Grand  Lodge of Pennsylvania with Travis Simpkins

I had a wonderful time in Pittsburgh at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Sunday night was the farewell banquet for Right Worshipful Past Grand Master Thomas Gamon. Monday was the installation of officers and a banquet for Jeffrey Wonderling, the new Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. I had fun catching up with friends M.W. Keith Newton, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio as well as R.W. David Tucker, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. My wife, Janet Simpkins, and I were able to see our friend Paul J. Roup installed as the new Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. I also was able to have a great chat with M.W. Robert B. Ellston, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.


M.W. Keith Newton, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio with Travis Simpkins
M.W. Keith Newton, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio with Travis Simpkins

R.W. David Tucker, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey with Travis Simpkins
R.W. David Tucker, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey with Travis Simpkins

Janet Simpkins, PJ Roup and Travis Simpkins. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Janet Simpkins, PJ Roup and Travis Simpkins. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

M.W. Robert Ellston, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island with Travis Simpkins
M.W. Robert Ellston, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island with Travis Simpkins

 

Masonic Mentorship. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Freemasons. by Travis Simpkins

Masonic Mentorship. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Freemasons. by Travis Simpkins
Masonic Mentorship. Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Freemasons. by Travis Simpkins


Masonic Mentorship
Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth

Sketch by Travis Simpkins




Commissioned by Maynard Edwards, 32°, KCCH


Not Just a Man, a Mason


For more info, please visit:

beafreemason.org


Not Just a Man, a Mason
Not Just a Man, a Mason

 

The Holy Eucharist with the Madonna, Archangel Michael and Saint Padre Pio. by Travis Simpkins

The Holy Eucharist with the Madonna, Archangel Michael and Saint Padre Pio. by Travis Simpkins
The Holy Eucharist with the Madonna, Archangel Michael and Saint Padre Pio. by Travis Simpkins


The Holy Eucharist 
with the Madonna, Archangel Michael 
and Saint Padre Pio

by Travis Simpkins

Roman Catholic Diocese of Campo Limpo
Sao Paulo, Brazil






Wednesday, December 29, 2021

R.W. Thomas Gamon. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. by Travis Simpkins

R.W. Thomas Gamon. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. by Travis Simpkins
R.W. Thomas Gamon. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait of
Right Worshipful 
Thomas Gamon, IV
Past Grand Master 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania
Past Master of 
Perkiomen Lodge No. 595
Red Hill, Pennsylvania
33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason
Valley of Reading, PA
Oil on Canvas
by Travis Simpkins

Collection of the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania
Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania

The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia

Thomas Gamon. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. Travis Simpkins
Thomas Gamon. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. Travis Simpkins


For more info, please visit:

pagrandlodge.org

and

pamasonictemple.org


R.W. Thomas Gamon. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. by Travis Simpkins
R.W. Thomas Gamon. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. by Travis Simpkins
 

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins
M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Official Portrait of
Most Worshipful
Paul Fulton Gleason
89th Grand Master
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
(2017 - 2019)
Past Master of
William Parkman Lodge
Winchester, MA
(1975 - 1976)
33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason
Valley of Boston, MA

Oil on Canvas
by Travis Simpkins


Collection of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, A.F. & A.M.

Photography by R.W. Philip Nowlan

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins
M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

 For more info, please visit:


M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins
M.W. Paul F. Gleason. Past Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

M.W. Richard Maggio. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

M.W. Richard Maggio. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins
M.W. Richard Maggio. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Most Worshipful
Richard Maggio
Grand Master
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
33rd Degree Freemason
Valley of Boston
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A.

by Travis Simpkins


Not Just a Man, a Mason

For more info, please visit:

massfreemasonry.org


M.W. Richard Maggio. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins
M.W. Richard Maggio. Grand Master. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. by Travis Simpkins

Aleister Crowley. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Ordo Templi Orientis. OTO. Magick. Thelema. by Travis Simpkins

Aleister Crowley. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Ordo Templi Orientis. OTO. Magick. Thelema. by Travis Simpkins
Aleister Crowley. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Ordo Templi Orientis. OTO. Magick. Thelema. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Aleister Crowley
born Edward Alexander Crowley
( 1875 - 1947 )
Occultist, Ceremonial Magician, Artist
& Author of Magick and The Book of the Law
Founder of Thelema
called "The Wickedest Man in the World"
Member of
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
and
Ordo Templi Orientis ( O.T.O. )
by Travis Simpkins


 Aleister Crowley - The Great Beast

Ozzy Osbourne - Mr. Crowley


 For more info, please visit:


Aleister Crowley. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. OTO. The Book of the Law. Thelema. by Travis Simpkins
Aleister Crowley. Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. OTO. The Book of the Law. Thelema. by Travis Simpkins

Monday, December 27, 2021

Masonic Collar Jewels of Grand Masters from Portraits by Travis Simpkins

Masonic Collar Jewels of Grand Masters from Portraits by Travis Simpkins
Masonic Collar Jewels of Grand Masters from Portraits by Travis Simpkins

     Back in 2016, when I first began making portraits of Grand Masters, I sort of assumed that the Grand Master collar jewel had a somewhat standard style. After making a good number of GM portraits, it turns out there is quite a bit of variety. Here are details from some examples that I’ve done over the past five years.


R. Steve Bell, 33°. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois. NMJ. by Travis Simpkins

R. Steve Bell, 33°. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois. NMJ. by Travis Simpkins
R. Steve Bell, 33°. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois. NMJ. by Travis Simpkins


Portrait Sketch of
Illustrious Brother
R. Steve Bell
33rd Degree Freemason
Valley of Danville
Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
by Travis Simpkins


Valley of Danville, Illinois. Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ
Valley of Danville, Illinois. Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ


 For more info, please visit:


R. Steve Bell, 33°. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois. NMJ. by Travis Simpkins
R. Steve Bell, 33°. Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois. NMJ. by Travis Simpkins

Sunday, December 26, 2021

William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins

William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins
William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
William Gillette
( 1853 - 1937 )
Actor, Stage Manager and Playwright
Best Remembered for portraying
Sherlock Holmes
on stage 1,300 times over 30 years
and in one 1916 Silent Film
Owner/Designer of Gillette Castle
Hadlyme, Connecticut
by Travis Simpkins


Sherlock Holmes (1916) starring William Gillette


Gillette Castle. Home of William Gillette. Sherlock Holmes. Hadlyme, Connecticut
Gillette Castle. Home of William Gillette. Sherlock Holmes. Hadlyme, Connecticut

For more info, please visit:



William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins
William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes. Stage Actor. Silent Film. Gillette Castle. by Travis Simpkins
 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Standard Bearer of the Harvest Festival. Mancini. by Travis Simpkins

Standard Bearer of the Harvest Festival. Antonio Mancini. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. by Travis Simpkins
Standard Bearer of the Harvest Festival. Antonio Mancini. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. by Travis Simpkins


Sketch of
The Standard Bearer of the Harvest Festival, 1884
Antonio Mancini (1852-1930)
Collection of the 
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
by Travis Simpkins


For more info, visit:



Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Sketches by Travis Simpkins
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Sketches by Travis Simpkins

image copyright © Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum


Standard Bearer of the Harvest Festival. Antonio Mancini. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. by Travis Simpkins
Standard Bearer. Antonio Mancini. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Isis. Ancient Egyptian Goddess. Mythology. 18th Dynasty. Sketch by Travis Simpkins

Isis. Ancient Egyptian Goddess. 1550-1292 BC. 18th Dynasty. Sketch by Travis Simpkins
Isis. Ancient Egyptian Goddess. 1550-1292 BC. 18th Dynasty. Sketch by Travis Simpkins

Sketch of an
Ancient Egyptian
Figure of
Isis
Wife/Sister of Osiris
Mother of Horus
Goddess, helped the dead 
in entering the afterlife
Divine Mother of the Pharaoh (Horus)
Her maternal aid was 
invoked in healing spells. 
She was also prominent in
royal rituals, temple rites,
funerary practices and magical texts
18th Dynasty, 1550 - 1292 B.C.

by Travis Simpkins


The Osiris Myth

Egyptian Mythology


 For more information, please visit:


Isis. Ancient Egyptian Goddess. 1550-1292 BC. 18th Dynasty. Sketch by Travis Simpkins
Isis. Ancient Egyptian Goddess. 1550-1292 BC. 18th Dynasty. Sketch by Travis Simpkins

Burl Ives, 33° GC. American Folk Musician, Actor and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Burl Ives, 33° GC. American Folk Musician, Actor and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins
Burl Ives, 33° GC. American Folk Musician, Actor and Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Illustrious Brother
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives
( 1909 - 1995 )
American Folk Musician
Actor of Stage, Screen, Radio and Television
Joined the Order of DeMolay in 1927
Freemason
Member of
Magnolia-La Cumbre Lodge No. 242
Scottish Rite Valley of Santa Barbara, California
and Valley of Bellingham, Washington
33rd Degree, Grand Cross

by Travis Simpkins

Burl Ives - A Holly Jolly Christmas


 For more info, please visit:


Burl Ives, 33° GC. American Folk Musician, Actor and Freemason. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. by Travis Simpkins
Burl Ives, 33° GC. American Folk Musician, Actor and Freemason. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. by Travis Simpkins

Friday, December 24, 2021

Bing Crosby. Crooner. Singer, Musician and Actor. White Christmas. by Travis Simpkins

Bing Crosby. Crooner. Singer and Actor. White Christmas. by Travis Simpkins
Bing Crosby. Crooner. Singer, Musician and Actor. White Christmas. by Travis Simpkins


Portrait Sketch of
Bing Crosby

Harry Lillis Crosby, Jr.
( 1903 - 1977 )
Crooner
Singer and Actor
One of the Most Popular and Influential
Musical Artists of the 20th Century

by Travis Simpkins


Bing Crosby - White Christmas

Santa Claus and His Flying Reindeer. Christmas. by Travis Simpkins
Santa Claus and His Flying Reindeer. Christmas. by Travis Simpkins

For more info, please visit:

imdb.com/BingCrosby


Bing Crosby. Crooner. Singer and Actor. White Christmas. by Travis Simpkins
Bing Crosby. Crooner. Singer and Actor. White Christmas. by Travis Simpkins
 

Nat King Cole. Jazz Musician. Prince Hall Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Nat King Cole. Jazz Musician. Prince Hall Freemason. by Travis Simpkins
Nat King Cole. Jazz Musician. Prince Hall Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles
( 1919 - 1965 )
Jazz Musician
Pianist and Vocalist
Actor and Television Host
Freemason
Member of 
Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49
Prince Hall Affiliation ( PHA )
Los Angeles, California

by Travis Simpkins


Nat King Cole - The Christmas Song


 For more info, please visit:


Nat King Cole. Jazz Musician. The Christmas Song. Prince Hall Freemason. by Travis Simpkins
Nat King Cole. Jazz Musician. The Christmas Song. Prince Hall Freemason. by Travis Simpkins

Thursday, December 23, 2021

William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons

William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons
William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons

The disappearance of William Morgan from Batavia, New York in 1826, an event now referred to as the Morgan Affair, sparked a period of Anti-Masonic sentiment in America.

William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons
William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons

William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons
William Morgan Monument. Batavia, New York. Morgan Affair. Anti Masonry. Freemasons
 

Joseph Smith. Founder of Mormonism. Freemason. Church of Jesus Christ LDS. by Travis Simpkins

Joseph Smith. Founder of Mormonism. Freemason. Church of Jesus Christ LDS. by Travis Simpkins
Joseph Smith. Founder of Mormonism. Freemason. Church of Jesus Christ LDS. by Travis Simpkins

Portrait Sketch of
Joseph Smith, Jr.
( 1805 - 1844 )
American Religious Leader
Founder of Mormonism
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Published the Book of Mormon in 1830
Freemason
Incorporated Masonic elements into early LDS ritual
Initiated, Passed and Raised in 1842
Nauvoo Lodge
Nauvoo, Illinois
by Travis Simpkins


Joseph Smith and Mormonism


 For more info, please visit:


Joseph Smith. Founder of Mormonism. Freemason. Church of Jesus Christ LDS. by Travis Simpkins
Joseph Smith. Founder of Mormonism. Freemason. Church of Jesus Christ LDS. by Travis Simpkins

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual 

I paid my respects to Thomas Smith Webb this afternoon in Providence, Rhode Island. Webb has been called the "Founding Father of the York Rite (American Rite)." Needless to say, his work has had a significant impact on Masonic Ritual in America.


Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual

Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual
Thomas Smith Webb. Burial Site. Providence, RI. York Rite. Masonic Ritual