Joe DeVito
Q: Tell us about your family and your experiences at St. Jude Church.
My wife, Mary Ellen, and I have been married for over thirty years and have two daughters, Melissa, 29, and Emily, 25. We moved to Chalfont in 1998 from Flemington, NJ in large part because of St. Jude School, which both girls attended for several years. Presently, Mary Ellen is an acupuncturist practicing in Doylestown; Melissa works in the fashion industry in New York City, and Emily is a professional ballerina dancing with the San Diego Ballet Company. From the beginning, St. Jude has been a most inviting and friendly parish to be a part of. We have had wonderful pastors, priests, nuns, and deacons in our 20+ years here, starting with Msgr. McCoy as pastor and Sr. Melanie as principal, down through Msgr. Beech and Sr. Elizabeth in the present. As a community, we have been incredibly fortunate.
Q. What do you do?
I'm an illustrator/artist, sculptor, and author working in multiple fiction and non-fiction genres. My main focus is on Pop Culture, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Action Adventure. These include King Kong, dinosaurs, Tarzan, Doc Savage, The Shadow, most of the classic DC and Marvel Superheroes, and other timeless authors such as Jules Verne, H. G. Wells, Mark Twain, and the like. I formed DeVito ArtWorks, LLC to house my "King Kong of Skull Island" book series and other intellectual properties.
On the fine art side, I formed Novena Art to establish an additional focus on religious-themed work with paintings and sculptures placed in churches, shrines, and homes around the world. These commissions include two twice-life-sized Madonna and Child statues given the title "Mary, Mother of the Life Within." One is on the grounds of the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine in Portugal, the other at the World Apostolate of Fatima Shrine in NJ. I recently have had the honor to sculpt the St. Jude medallion above the entrance to our own church.
Q: How do you nurture your faith, personally?
I grew up in a large Sicilian family originally out of New York City. My mother was quite devout, and my father always practiced as well (his family was from Naples, which they never let him forget). Like many, there came a time when I asked myself, "Why do I believe this?" and read about other major world religions, but none came close to answering my personal spiritual and philosophical questions as singularly and completely as Catholicism has. I continue to attend Mass and receive the Sacraments regularly. I have maintained a life-long love of the Rosary and pray it often. Over the last several years I also began meditating for at least 30-45 minutes every day. It started by practicing the basics of Ignatian Spirituality, grew naturally from there, and is now an essential part of my daily routine. I believe that God exists, and life has unequivocally affirmed that I am not Him!
Q: Do you have a piece of advice to share with a young person or someone in business?
Nothing that hasn't been said before. It has been my experience that three things are absolutely necessary for achieving any personal goal or dream: First, stop dreaming or talking about it and do it! The second requirement is "sticktuitiveness" – never quit, but use common sense. Teddy Roosevelt said it best: "Reach for the stars, but keep your feet firmly planted on the ground." Last, first, and throughout: Pray–way too little is in our direct control. After 63 years, that's the best I've come up with. If I discover something better I'll let you know–and visa versa.
Q: What do you do to have fun? Do you have a hobby, favorite movie/tv show/book?
Generally speaking, what I do for work is what I do to relax. I am one of those lucky people whose job is their favorite thing to do. Somehow I managed to parlay just about all of my major and ancillary interests–these include the arts, world history, the natural and applied sciences, philosophy and metaphysics down to movies, TV, radio, voracious non-fiction and fiction reading, the Three Stooges, sports, cars, games, collecting, even chocolate–into my professional life. I do make a point of spending time with family, friends, and getting as much physical exercise as possible through working out, biking, and walking.
Q: What would people be surprised to know about you?
Hmm…how about this: I painted the last new MAD magazine cover of the 20th Century, which set, and possibly still holds, the record for the most Alfred E. Neuman portraits ever painted on one cover (15). Having painted 8 covers in all throughout the '90's, I also qualify as a life-long member of a Mensa-like group of intellectual and creative aesthetes aptly referred to in the opening credits of every issue as "The usual gang of idiots." Collectively, we compose the artists and writers who have contributed to MAD magazine over the decades. It is a good reminder to never take myself too seriously!