My new "Passages" series

These paintings are the beginning of my new series entitled Passages.  The Passages collection is an allegory on the theme of humanity's process of transition from one's current state of being into another.   The characters are caught in one of the pivotal moments or times of our lives  where we all must make a decision which requires deep reflection.  The figures stand in the doorway between the past and the future.  The doorway is a portal or a means of access to reaching a personal admission or freedom, a specific beginning or an undetermined end. 

The figures' garments places them firmly in the beginning of the last century, and returns them to a time period which closely mirrors our present day.  The correlation between now and then is evident in many aspects of our social, political and religious issues and world events that created enormous progress while at the same time bringing us to the brink of destruction with The World War.  This time period allows the viewer a convenient distance from the present and hopefully allowing them to a calm yet passionate reflection of contemporary issues.  

Leaving Paradise

The predicament of leaving one's ideal of home and safety, one's country or relationships is a common and complex experience for all of us.  The decision to move through this experience can be approached with emotional and spiritual strength or with fear and uncertainty. The idea of paradise is also an illusion. One's idea of safety or freedom can be altered by other's assumption of theirs. It can be a time remembered with shame and regrets, or with happiness, confidence and joy. The road chosen will determine the outcome of all our stories and will influence the remainder of all our lives. Sometimes the need to look back one more time can be melancholy as well as a comforting memory.

Siempre Esperando (Always Waiting)

The man stands alone at a time of decision.  A strong, lone figure standing in the passageway needing to move forward  is stuck in time by many emotional, social and personal obstructions that are causing him to stop and reflect one more time before making a pivotal decision.  Can he move through this purity of light that presents unknown possibilities?  Can he turn his back on the enclosing dark walls of time from his past? This is a constant of most people's journey through life and the ability to make this decision freely is one of humanities biggest challenges.

The Letter 

 In our lives we experience moments that create pivotal changes within ourselves. These moments arrive in many ways and in many forms, such as news received through a letter, and we are captured in a private moment of learning about events that have occurred and the realization of what our outcome will be. Change has happened, life has altered, and we are transformed, good or bad. That instant is what I  am fascinated with. That second, that one second of so many thousands of seconds, but it is one of those instances that we will allow to define who we will become for ever more.