When I learned of the COVID-19 pandemic, I realized I would be isolated, possibly for a long time. Therefore, I began thinking of a project that would address the situation and hold my own interest in considering how we arrived at this point in our history.
Having worked on environmental issues for over 50 years, I was deeply concerned about what was happening to our climate and specifically how we as humans have contributed to the dangerous outlooks being projected for the future concerning carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere.
“On Earth as it is in Heaven” oil painting 42-inches x 57-inches
As an artist, I had addressed the issue in a painting, “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” back in the early 1990s when I was a member of the Justice and Peace commission of the Catholic Church in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The painting made its rounds through a half dozen churches and some public displays. Still, it made little impact at the time that I was aware of.
When Pope Francis published his Encyclical “Laudato Si’: on Care for our Common Home” in 2015, it inspired me to keep evangelizing with the painting and continue my contacts with people who were also interested in the problem of our collapsing ecosystem.
Because of the imbalance that was becoming evident in the climate crisis, it seemed inevitable that some pandemic would eventually appear.
Eve and Adam (closeup detail)—a high relief woodcarving 19 x 44 x 3 inches
When the virus intensified and curfews and restrictions were announced in Puerto Rico on March 15, I began this woodcarving to express what I believe is the forbidden fruit that we are now tempted to harvest, or conversely, to desist from our addiction to it.
Consequently, this project is a culmination of my many years of witnessing and agonizing over our declining natural world; more importantly, it is a prayer of hope and healing for a healthy future. Moreover, as a prayer, I consider it a work of Sacred Art.
Eve and Adam(a high relief woodcarving, 19 x 44 x 3 inches)
Cuando me enteré de la pandemia de COVID-19, me di cuenta de que estaría aislado, posiblemente durante mucho tiempo. Por lo tanto, comencé a pensar en un proyecto que abordara la situación y que me interesara personalmente, considerando cómo llegamos a este punto de nuestra historia.
Habiendo trabajado en temas ambientales por más de 50 años, estaba profundamente preocupado por lo que estaba sucediendo con nuestro clima y específicamente cómo nosotros como humanos hemos contribuido a las peligrosas perspectivas que se proyectan para el futuro con respecto a las emisiones de dióxido de carbono (CO2) a la atmósfera.
“On Earth as it is in Heaven” oil painting 42-inches x 57-inches
Como artista, abordé el tema en una pintura, “Así en la Tierra como en el Cielo“, a principios de la década de 1990, cuando era miembro de la comisión de Justicia y Paz de la Iglesia Católica en San Juan, Puerto Rico. La pintura recorrió media docena de iglesias y algunas exposiciones públicas. Aun así, tuvo poco impacto en aquel momento, que yo supiera.
Cuando el Papa Francisco publicó su encíclica “Laudato Si’: sobre el cuidado de la casa común” en 2015, me inspiró a seguir evangelizando con la pintura y a mantener el contacto con personas interesadas en el problema del colapso de nuestro ecosistema.
Debido al desequilibrio que se hacía evidente en la crisis climática, parecía inevitable que eventualmente surgiera alguna pandemia.
Eve and Adam (closeup detail)
Cuando el virus se intensificó y se anunciaron toques de queda y restricciones en Puerto Rico el 15 de marzo, comencé esta talla en madera para expresar lo que creo es el fruto prohibido que ahora estamos tentados a cosechar, o por el contrario, a desistir de nuestra adicción a él.
En consecuencia, este proyecto es la culminación de mis muchos años de presenciar y agonizar por el deterioro de nuestro mundo natural; más importante aún, es una oración de esperanza y sanación por un futuro saludable. Además, como oración, la considero una obra de Arte Sacro.
Integral Expressionism Art is the term I give to my latest work since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. I borrow the concept “Integral” (essential to the whole) from Pope Francis‘s Encyclical “Laudato Si ” published in 2015.
In 1987 and for approximately five years, I was a member of the Catholic COR organization, Justicia y Paz. As the only lay member of the group, I witnessed the deep concerns of the priests and nuns involved in the problems caused by Environmental damage by private investors and developers.
These problems led me to realize that these were also a global problem, and that as the only artist in the group, I would take time off to paint an image expressing our concerns, not only as an island in the Caribbean Sea, but as a planet in the Endless Sea of space.
This Painting, “On Earth as it is in Heaven,” changed the trajectory of my work and my life’s concern.
When the COVID-19 pandemic locked us down in 2020, I carved a slab of wood with the images of Adam and Eve, standing in for ourselves in this, our own Garden Moment, expressing that the pandemic was a sign of the future if we did not change our ways and live in harmony with nature.
The trajectory of my work was solidified. I then painted approximately 15 paintings on canvas. Works that highlight our dependence on fossil fuels and the resulting vulnerability of our planet’s future.
Should this artwork generate controversy, it may play a significant role in fostering a healthy and sustainable future for both current and forthcoming generations.
Expresionismo Integral es el término que le doy a mi obra más reciente desde la pandemia de COVID-19 de 2020. Tomé prestado el concepto “integral” (esencial para el todo) de la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco, publicada en 2015.
En 1987, y durante aproximadamente cinco años, fui miembro de la organización católica COR, Justicia y Paz. Como único miembro laico del grupo, presencié la profunda preocupación de los sacerdotes y monjas involucrados en los problemas causados por el daño ambiental causado por inversionistas y promotores privados.
Estos problemas me llevaron a darme cuenta de que también eran un problema global y que, como único artista del grupo, me tomaría un tiempo para pintar una imagen que expresara nuestras preocupaciones, no solo como una isla en el Mar Caribe, sino como un planeta en el Mar Infinito del espacio.
Este cuadro, “En la Tierra como en el Cielo”, cambió la trayectoria de mi trabajo y la preocupación de mi vida.
Cuando la pandemia de COVID-19 nos confinó en 2020, tallé una losa de madera con las imágenes de Adán y Eva, representándonos a nosotros mismos en este, nuestro propio Momento de Jardín, expresando que la pandemia era una señal del futuro si no cambiábamos nuestras costumbres y vivíamos en armonía con la naturaleza.
La trayectoria de mi obra se consolidó. Luego pinté aproximadamente 15 cuadros sobre lienzo. Obras que resaltan nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y la consiguiente vulnerabilidad del futuro de nuestro planeta.
Si estas obras de arte generan controversia, pueden desempeñar un papel importante en el fomento de un futuro saludable y sostenible para las generaciones actuales y futuras.
This tapestry, To Save the Whale (45 x 76 inches), depicts the Integral connection between the Sky and the Sea, and what lives in and between in Nature, including you and me, inspired by the magnificent nature of Puerto Rico.
From Mountain to Reef (45 x 76 inches)
The border in this work is lined with a golden braid, a symbol of the “Goldilocks zone,” which climate scientists describe as the temperature zone where life exists, within which our human ancestors have lived for over 1.05 million years. It is the Zone of “Our Common Home” as Pope Francis writes in his Encyclical (Laudato Sí)
This tapestry is a vision of a better world as we connect and live in harmony with nature.
Living in harmony with Nature is a life-sustaining mode of existence, in rhythm with our revolving planet Earth, marked by love and respect for all creation.
What we love, we will save!
Solar panels dot the landscape, and windmills are symbols of wind generators.
We see the villagers’ concern for the beached whale, a symbol of all endangered species, including ourselves, along with their respect and concern for the sea turtle and other forms of life at the bottom of the reef.
The villagers are being called to gather to save the whale. As they approach the beach, we can see that they are carrying the necessary tools and equipment. We also see the infrastructure of their village with the wind generators and solar panels on top of each building, and the sail shop where the handmade sails are fabricated that will catch the wind and turn the generators that will produce the electricity and the physical mechanical power to run their mills that will help feed the village.
Throughout the landscape, we can see the reflection of light from the solar panels. It is a village of fishermen and women, as well as agricultural workers, that creates a natural rhythm and harmonious connection with the land and the sea. Above the town, we see various bird species.
In the lagoon, we see evidence of schools of fish breaking the surface of the water as the pelicans and seagulls dive to feed on them. Below the lagoon lies the reef, with its myriad forms of coral and the organic living colonies that provide a habitat for the many sea life forms contributing to the food chain. Below, at a deeper level of the reef, we see our endangered sea turtle, rising to awaken us to the challenges we face in working to protect Nature for ourselves and future generations.
If we open our eyes to the wisdom inherent in nature’s beauty, we may come to understand that we are the crucial link to a better, healthier future!
We cannot possess life, but only live it in harmony, and pass it along to future generations!
Este tapiz, Para Salvar a la Ballena (45 x 76 inches), representa la conexión integral entre el Cielo y el Mar, y lo que habita en la Naturaleza, incluyéndonos a ti y a mí, Inspirado en la magnífica naturaleza de Puerto Rico.
El borde de esta obra está revestido con una trenza dorada, símbolo de la “zona Ricitos de Oro” (Goldilocks Zone), que los climatólogos describen como la zona de temperatura donde existe vida, dentro de la cual nuestros antepasados humanos han vivido durante más de 1,05 millones de años. Es la Zona de “Nuestra Casa Común”, como escribe el Papa Francisco en su Encíclica (Laudato Sí).
Este tapiz es una visión de un mundo mejor a medida que nos conectamos y vivimos en armonía con la naturaleza. Vivir en armonía con la Naturaleza es un modo de existencia que sustenta la vida, en ritmo con nuestro planeta Tierra en movimiento, marcado por el amor y el respeto por toda la creación.
¡Lo que amamos lo salvamos!
Los paneles solares salpican el paisaje y los molinos de viento son símbolos de los generadores eólicos.
Vemos la preocupación de los aldeanos por la ballena varada, símbolo de todas las especies en peligro de extinción, incluidos nosotros mismos, junto con su respeto y preocupación por la tortuga marina y otras formas de vida en el fondo del arrecife.
Se llama a los aldeanos a reunirse para salvar a la ballena. Al acercarse a la playa, vemos que llevan las herramientas y el equipo que necesitarán. También vemos la infraestructura de su pueblo con los generadores eólicos y paneles solares en la parte superior de cada edificio, y el taller de velas donde se fabrican las velas hechas a mano que atraparán el viento y harán girar los generadores que producirán la electricidad y la energía mecánica física para hacer funcionar sus molinos que ayudarán a alimentar al pueblo.
A lo largo del paisaje, podemos ver el reflejo de la luz de los paneles solares. Es una aldea de pescadores y mujeres, así como de trabajadores agrícolas, que crea un ritmo natural y una conexión armoniosa con la tierra y el mar. Sobre la aldea, observamos diversas especies de aves.
En la laguna, vemos evidencia de bancos de peces que emergen a la superficie mientras los pelícanos y las gaviotas se zambullen para alimentarse de ellos. Debajo de la laguna, vemos el arrecife, con su infinidad de formas de coral y las colonias orgánicas que proporcionan hábitat a las numerosas formas de vida marina que contribuyen a la cadena trófica. Abajo, a un nivel más profundo del arrecife, vemos nuestra tortuga marina en peligro de extinción, elevándose para despertarnos a los desafíos que enfrentamos al trabajar para proteger la Naturaleza para nosotros y las generaciones futuras.
Si abrimos los ojos a la sabiduría inherente a la belleza de la naturaleza, podremos llegar a comprender que somos el vínculo crucial hacia un futuro mejor y más saludable.
¡No podemos poseer la vida, sino sólo vivirla en armonía y transmitirla a las generaciones futuras!
I dedicate this painting and poem, “Deviled Eggs”, in memory of all the brave souls who have died sacrificing their lives for a better world.
As part of my series “Cry of Creation,” this work focuses and shines a light on the existential and spiritual threat we face as humanity confronts our own extraordinary power to tip the climate into an imbalance that threatens the future of the world as we know it. We are all important and all uniquely indispensable! Yes—You and Me!
For the love of money is the root of all evil… (1 Timothy 6:10)
Some prioritize financial gain over the health of our planet and its people. They understand they are creating a dystopian imbalance in nature, and yet if we do not change their thinking on this dynamic, we will succumb to this biblical truth.
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Dedico esta pintura y poema, “Deviled Eggs”, a la memoria de todas las almas valientes que han muerto sacrificando sus vidas por un mundo mejor.
Como parte de mi serie “Grito de Creación“, esta obra se centra y arroja luz sobre la amenaza existencial y espiritual que enfrentamos a medida que la humanidad confronta su propio y extraordinario poder para desestabilizar el clima y amenazar el futuro del mundo tal como lo conocemos. ¡Todos somos importantes y todos singularmente indispensables! ¡Sí! ¡Tú y yo!
Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de toda clase de males (1 Timoteo 6:10)
Algunos priorizan las ganancias económicas sobre la salud de nuestro planeta y su gente. Entienden que están creando un desequilibrio distópico en la naturaleza, y sin embargo, si no cambiamos su manera de pensar sobre esta dinámica, sucumbiremos a esta verdad bíblica.
The truth IS, God gathers, the devil scatters!
La verdad ES, Dios recoge, el diablo dispersa!
Deviled Eggs
Mammon (Devil of Greed) would deceive us saying— “We’re entitled! All on Earth is ours for the taking!” then turn and make our world an Omelet of Deviled Eggs!
From the spoils of our addiction, to profits quarterly earned, is spun the myth of Utopia! While Greed clear-cuts timber, and ancient forests burn
Priceless black blood lies in the womb of our Sacred Earth. The Blood of Dinosaurs and giant Ferns. As we—Sucking-up on it like Mother’s Milk— We as Combustion Burn!
The myth of endless growth slurps up— “me thinks” the broth of Sacred Life, eons ago gone Extinct.
Yet we reward extravagantly reckless greed. We make no shame, but tribute pay, to those who would pay-out our future lives away. To what extent and how far down are we drilling and willing to ignore, the council of our Wisdom that makes up Freedom’s Core.
What has blinded our good sense? That binds us to our folly. knowing it will be at our future world’s expense.
What has hobbled our humility and morphed it into Pride? Who has turned us off our path and broken up our stride?
We sing and shout the chant of Mammon “If I can buy it, it’s mine! If I can do it, I will!
Oh Stupid! Oh, Self-Deceived Fallen One We follow! Down our hole we Go?
No! Let us ransom our Earthly Mother— from out the skillet—set her free! So she can spin and twirl in dance, Blue Mother Dancing Free!
Lord God has let us ride through this our space and time, a ride given to us FREE. It’s where Earth has always been for us and where She always wants to be.
I dedicate this Painting and Poem to all First Responders.
All people who are suffering
or Acting to live in Balance with our Climate,
who strive for the good of others
and Future Generations…
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Dedico esta pintura y poema a todos los socorristas. A todas las personas que sufren o que actúan para vivir en equilibrio con nuestro clima, que luchan por el bien de los demás y de las generaciones futuras…
Fishers of Men
Fishers of Men go out further than any boat can know. They sail over the shoals and rocks, where no others dare to go!
They fish with nets of Mercy in seas and oceans drag, for those who’ve lost their footing and off the decks were dragged.
They troll in lakes of poison, in rivers clogged with slime to pull aboard the wretched that Sin has rendered blind. They scoop up the fragile and their kind, that hold fast to the line of flotsam and jetsam that hope has left behind!
They surf the tides of turmoil and teach no fear of death. They rise in swells of innocence until clear knowing builds and crests.
Fishers of men, fish for Souls, Souls that lose their way, those who’ve sunk below the pale, who in the deep of muck and dark, in the bottom lay.
Fishers of Men are Saviors! Compassion, Love, and Mercy are how they reach so deep. Following the Savior they’ve learned “Saving Grace” comes through Faith, Humility and Penance in Redemption is forgiveness. It is the Master’s Way, the Truth and the Life.
So as they Fish they teach us the Way to Pray, which is to say, fish to save, for ALL on Earth are fragile and ALL on Earth need us to Pray, to Serve, so in our own turn—We may save and with our Savior stay …
As a professional woodcarver, and not knowing how long we would be quarantined, I realized I needed to do a woodcarving—carving has always acted as a grounding effect for me. And I knew it would need to be a carving that would speak to the Pandemic, but also that which I believe brought on the Pandemic—an imbalance in the mode in which we live with Nature, the destruction of the cosmos! Impending climate collapse!
The Question is, are we—the Human Species—continuing to cause this imbalance, and if so, can we correct it?
This Question is the essence of the message of the carving.
We see our modern-day Adam pondering this question, shown more as his temptation—recalling the original story of the Garden of Eden.
To answer this, the parable of The Garden of Eden and the forbidden fruit speaks to us here and now as we find ourselves in A Garden Moment.
Como tallador de madera profesional, y sin saber cuánto tiempo estaríamos en cuarentena, me di cuenta de que necesitaba hacer un tallado en madera; tallar siempre ha actuado como un efecto de conexión a tierra para mí. Y sabía que tendría que ser una talla que hablara de la pandemia, pero también de aquello que creo que provocó la pandemia: un desequilibrio en el modo en que vivimos con la naturaleza, ¡la destrucción del cosmos! ¡El inminente colapso climático!
La pregunta es: ¿seguimos nosotros, la especie humana, causando este desequilibrio? Y, de ser así, ¿podemos corregirlo?
Esta pregunta es la esencia del mensaje de la talla.
Vemos a nuestro Adán moderno reflexionando sobre esta pregunta, mostrada más como su tentación, recordando la historia original del Jardín del Edén.
Para responder a esto, la parábola del Jardín del Edén y el fruto prohibido nos habla aquí y ahora mientras nos encontramos en Un Momento de Jardín.
Eve and Adam
“Our Garden Moment”
Time was we thought right from wrong, was caused by what Adam did for lack of judgment less than strong.
But since we left the Garden we’ve wandered and we’ve strayed, off the straight and narrow, off the path we’ve paved.
Seems some still hold the feeling that it should not be them to shame— But that “surely it was the Other.” So they invented Blame.
So they reject the garden story along with forbidden trees. They see no problem in doing anything they “Damn Well Please!”
Now our Modern Adam has quite a powerful Thrust. Cause with nods from his Investors it is “In Him they Trust”
So it’s come and so it goes so many times around. It’s made us all quite dizzy and scrambled Sacred ground.
So now We stand-in with Eve and Adam, but this time we’re ALL around, looking up once again. But knowing the Forbidden Fruit still is mostly underground.
But now the truth stands out for us, for all of us to see, where once were lies, it’s clear, spoken in whispers, OH so low, whispered in one man’s ear.
So with Eve we tremble, as our new Adam eyes what may be reason, for the last time that we Fall. And again mistakes in thinking of no consequence if he listens to The Snake.
Our Eve cries out “Listen to us Mothers and Will-be Mothers, for little time is left. Hear our voice, it is our choice to birth and bear our kin. Who if worthy of Us, will do for those who follow, what WE now do for Them.”
For it was before, we little thought beyond our children and theirs. Now we must “In God we Trust” be the bridge for all our children’s future tomorrows…
El destino de Jonás (“Fate of Jonah) es una pintura y un soneto de mi nueva serie “Gritos de la Creación“, inspirada en la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco de 2015.
Ships of Fools (Barcos de Tontos) es una pintura y un soneto de mi nueva serie “Gritos de la Creación“, inspirados en la encíclica “Laudato Si” del Papa Francisco de 2015.
“and then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and Man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)
On this Earth Day 2019, I share this 27 x 40-inch oil painting. I conceived it with Teilhard de Chardin’s “Cosmogenesis” in mind. It makes visible how we are physically part of the Cosmos and of our Mother Earth. Hence, it is a visualization of how all things are connected in God’s creation.
Significantly, it is a reminder of the crisis we find ourselves in.
We here in Puerto Rico, who have lived through Hurricane Maria, have seen both the most beautiful and the most destructive forces of nature. When I think of the devastation, the waste, and the suffering, I lament that we humans have contributed in a significant way to this most devastating climate crisis.
Let us meditate on this Earth Day 2019 on our interconnectedness to all things. Lord, we pray, help us to be the Stewards of your Creation as you created us to be. Amen
We are the conscience of planet Earth!
“Earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant.” (Isaiah 24:5)
“Y entonces el Señor Dios formó al hombre del polvo de la tierra, y sopló en su nariz aliento de vida, y el hombre se convirtió en un ser viviente.” (Génesis 2:7)
En este Día de la Tierra 2019, comparto esta pintura al óleo de 27 x 40 pulgadas. Lo concebí teniendo en mente “Cosmogénesis” de Teilhard de Chardin. Visibiliza cómo somos físicamente parte del Cosmos y de nuestra Madre Tierra. Por lo tanto, es una visualización de cómo todas las cosas están conectadas en la creación de Dios.
Significativamente, es un recordatorio de la crisis en la que nos encontramos.
Nosotros, aquí en Puerto Rico, quienes hemos vivido el huracán María, hemos presenciado tanto las fuerzas más hermosas como las más destructivas de la naturaleza. Cuando pienso en la devastación, el desperdicio y el sufrimiento, lamento que nosotros, los humanos, hayamos contribuido de manera significativa a esta crisis climática tan devastadora.
En este Día de la Tierra 2019, reflexionemos sobre nuestra interconexión con todo lo que existe.Señor, te rogamos que nos ayudes a ser administradores de tu creación, tal como tú nos creaste para serlo. Amén.
¡Somos la conciencia del planeta Tierra!
La tierra ha sido profanada por los pies de sus habitantes que pasaron por alto las leyes, violaron los mandamientos y no cumplieron el contrato Eterno. (Isa 24:5)
