"Ghost Coral and Fish"

"Ghost Coral and Fish" is a shadowy portrayal of bleached coral and ghosts of the fish that were nurtured there. Sometimes called the Rain forests of the Sea, the coral reefs serve as nurseries to countless species. However, they cannot tolerate the damage that is caused by sewage, fertilizer, ocean warming and other pollutants. So, they become ghosts and we have fewer and fewer colonies. The demise of coral reefs, estimated to be at 10 percent now, will change to 70 percent unless we make changes in damage caused by pipelines, cables, pollution and tourism.

This set of three monotypes are currently on display at the Gallery St. John in Beavercreek, Ohio and are part of 2009 Marianist Environmental Education Center Art Show. The theme for the exhibit is "What on Earth is Missing?"

"Shoreline"

"Shoreline" depicts the encroachment of the sea onto our land. The poem by Robert Frost, "Devotion" is a somewhat nostalgic commentary on just how vital the shoreline is to hold the sea at bay. The homes along the shore, the land we live on, are slowly being eaten away by the rise in sea level.

"Away, Away, Milky Way"

"Away, Away, Milky Way" indicates a night sky filled with stars, constellations and our own Milky Way. Yet, seldom do we view this night sky in all its beauty because the lights in our yards, streets, parking lots and buildings light up the sky and cause the brilliance of our universe to fade. If we have a chance to look at the sky in the desert, on the ocean, or in undeveloped areas, we gasp with pleasure because we can see so much in the sky. If we just turn down the glow of our lighting, we will turn up the night sky.

"Radiance" is the final image of the Lenten Series 2009. Candles are used to light up the night and the darkened church at the Easter Vigil Service. The candles represent the Light of Christ. So, too, this image brings light to the dark and thus offers an appropriate image for the light brought by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

"Crucifix" is another watercolor collage. This painting tries to portray a tortured Jesus on the cross. The white areas suggest a skeleton that is twisted with agony. It says that Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice in following his truth to his death.

Lenten Series 2009

This monoprint of a bent weed reminds me of a solitary person bent in an attitude of prayer. The person of Jesus saw his coming death and prayed about it in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was essentially alone as he faced the days of his torment.