Last week, hundreds of never before available pieces of artwork by the late Fr. Paul Plante have been posted for sale on a tribute website that serves as both a canvas of his immense talent and a tribute to his indelible legacy.

The work of Fr. Plante, who died in June 2016, has been featured in art galleries around the country. His most famous work focuses on the eyes of songbirds, hawks, ducks, and other birds in 4 ½” x 4 ½” oil pastel paintings. The paintings reflect his fascination with birds, their spirit and their furtive nature. His portfolio also includes fish, plums, apples, and more. The work is searchable by collection and category on the website which can be found at www.paulplante.com.

Visitors to the site will also have the chance to explore a few of the many other contributions Fr. Plante made during his life. One section features his homilies, while another is dedicated to his professional experiences and even includes the words of the artist himself.

“I look at my artwork with the same awe that makes me wonder who I am as a person,” reads part of Fr. Plante’s writings. “In many ways, I’m discovering myself in my art. I also sometimes feel as though the depths of my being are exposed through my art. When the result in another person is joy or awe and wonder, it makes it all worthwhile.”

A Sanford native, Fr. Plante attended St. Ignatius Elementary and Junior High School taught by the Ursuline Nuns and the Brothers of Christian Instruction. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 8, 1971, by Archbishop Peter L. Gerety at St. Ignatius Church, in Sanford. After his ordination, he served as chaplain of the Portland hospitals (1971); parochial vicar at St. Louis Church, in Auburn (1971-1975), St. Joseph Church, in Biddeford (1975-1976), and Holy Cross Church, in Lewiston (1976-1985); parochial vicar as well as rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Portland (1985-1993); and pastor of St. John Church, in Winslow (1993-2004) and Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, in Oquossoc (2004-2016). In 2009, he was assigned as Vicar for Priests while remaining pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes.

At the request of Fr. Plante, all proceeds from the website will be given to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland to be used for diocesan needs.