Retablos & Other Religious Works
Retablos or "laminas" as they are known in Mexico, are small oil paintings on tin, zinc, wood or copper which venerate various Catholic Saints. Retablos were traditionly used in home altars and churches as devotional pieces and were commonly invoked for protection against plagues, fires, temptation, poverty, infertility and sin.
I was invitited to create and present an Original Retablo in 2004 for an auction to benefit The Society of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The mission of this society is to financially and spiritually support the Guadalupe Regional Middle School in Brownsville.
When first contacted about creating an original Retablo, I researched the background on Retablos and the many styles and subjects which were created on earlier pieces. I then began to create the first of what has now become a series of original Retablos of my own.
The first three were acrylic on wood board, which created many new challenges as I traditionally work in water color or pen and ink. The latest was in my favorite medium of water color on paper.
Each one has a story to tell, although I'll not bother you here with the details. However, do keep checking back now and again, as I will be adding to the collection on a regular basis.
St. Christopher
The first in my series of Retablos, original in traditional 8"x10" acrylic on board. Prints are available.
St. Francis of Assisi
The second in my series of Retablos, St. Francis. Again, in traditional 8"x10", acrylic on board. Prints available.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
The third in my series, taken from reference photos of the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in a cathedral in Spain. Original acrylic on board, 8"x10". Prints available.
La Virgin de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
This time I changed back to my traditional method of water color on fine art paper. I like this one much better. The original was again 8"x10", prints are available.
La Virgin de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Another auction item for the 2007 fundraising event. This one was also created in my traditional water color method. The original was again 8"x10", prints are available.
Statue of The Virgin Mary
Located next to La Lomita Mission in Mission, Texas. I went to view the very old La Lomita Mission after a friend told me about this unique little chapel out in the countryside near Mission. The statue of The Virgin Mary was situated outside, right next to the old structure; the flowers at the base were plastic, but made a nice contrast to the whiteness of the statue.Full color prints in 8"x10" are available.
La Lomita Mission
The quaint little Mission mentioned above. You can see the statue of the Virgin Mary to the right of the building.Available in limited edition, full color prints - 11"x17", limited to 50.
Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
This replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is located in Rio Grande City and was built by Father Gustave Gollbach, a German Priest. Work began in February 1927; it took 14 months of work before the Grotto was dedicated on April 27, 1928.
Full Color limited edition print / 13"x19" / 75 in the edition / $75.00
St. Peter's Novitiate
Located on a small rise close by the La Lomita Mission is the beautiful St. Peter's Novitiate. Built in 1912 by the Missionary Oblates of Immaculate and used it as a training center for student priests until the 1950s.
The Head Stones at the Old Brownsville City Cemetery
After considerable time spent touring and researching the old Brownsville City Cemetery I finally found the time to paint a series of watercolors of the Grave Stones or Head Stones.
Some are really in great shape, others have been vandalized and only pieces remain.
I have chosen to portray them as I found them, broken off pieces and all. They really make an interesting collection. As you will notice I have left off the family names to protect their privacy. One only has to take a tour to find out the names.
Keep checking back as I am painting more and will add to the collection as I go.
Angel in Blue
A beautiful headstone, this is available as a 3"x5" full color print for $15.00 or as a limited edition signed and numbered print in 11"x17" for $75.00.
The rest in the series shown below are all available in 3"x5" open edition prints or as signed and numbered larger prints for $75.00.
Angel in Brown
Angel in Grey
If you look at this angel you will notice that the right arm is missing; a result of vandals at the Cemetery. Really sad, because this angel is so attractive.
Angel With Harp
This particular headstone is actually one of two matched angels with harps. Both angels are in great shape and show no signs of vandalism.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
It wasn't until I got back to my studio and started studying the images I collected of the Head Stones that I noticed this one was a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I enhanced the colors a little as the one at the Cemetery was extremely faded with peeling paint. In fact, I show the cracked, peeling paint in my depiction.
Jesus On The Cross
The original image shows the full figure, however I chose to do the cropped version as I felt it had more impact.
Jesus With Cross in Blue
Angel With Cross in Yellow
Here is another example of a Head Stone that was damaged by vandals. The right arm is broken off right at the wrist. Otherwise, the statue is in great shape.
Jesus on Cross in Tan & Blue
Another version on another Head Stone found at the Cemetery. This one was considerable smaller than the other Jesus on the Cross shown earlier and without as much detail.