Durga the Invincible (Oil on Canvas)

Come to the 10th Avenue Theater and Arts Center on October 2, from 6 pm to 8pm. The location is 930, 10th Ave. downtown. Works by Gerald Montoya, Barbara Gothard, Jordan Saia, Theresa K. Wear and Timothy Bruehl will be showcased.

Durga is also known as a warrior and protector. Known also as the mother of Ganesha, the Elephant God, Durga shares the characteristic of restrained strength and power. This is a particularly admirable quality in a time when abuse of power has been condemned worldwide by oppressed citizens.

In a strange grouping of Durga with accompanying cat and stone guard, I imagined Durga with her usual weaponry. Her hands symbolize the human quality of reaching out, communicating and consoling. I'm also reminded of the Peaceable Kingdom series of paintings by

Edward Hicks. His message in those paintings were that differences could be overcome and that peace could prevail.

Monster

Monster- (Oil on Canvas, 14" x 18")

Ray at Night tonight! (@University and Ray Street). Ray street is one street east of 30th. If you can attend tonight, it is a casual and fun evening that starts at 6 pm and ends at 11 pm. It is a great venue to see a variety of art and also great for people watching. Look for our booth.

Tonight I will be participating by showing one of the pieces that will be in a group show at the 10th Avenue Theater and Arts Center (10th and Broadway, downtown), starting with a reception on October 2 starting at 6pm. The reception coincides with the sold out opening night of the play, 26 Miles in the same building. The shows are great. For now, come on out to Ray Street.

There is a monster in all of us. The trick is to try to understand the motives behind the monster's actions. There are complexities in trying to understand these individuals and institutions. I found my mind drifting through space as I painted in the details of the monster psyche in this painting. Perhaps I'm intrigued because I still want to believe that there is a morsel of goodness in everyone.

Still, we have extreme examples of true monsters in our lives. Where is the morsel of good in them? Are they completely at fault for who they have become? Is it my point of view that needs to change? The beauty of fractals show us that there is still order in chaos, but does that mean that there is still hope that our monsters can transform? I'm not sure. All I can do is try to protect the ones I love from perceived monsters in my life. And... I can try to paint them.