Sally introduced me to a new artist: Farid De La Ossa. Here are my two favorite paintings he has done along with his inspiration for painting them.

The Eucharist, represented by the Host held by the male and female hands that appears in the middle, is a way of solidarity with the poor. Justice that they seek is represented by the scales that appear within the host. The painting depicts a way of action to achieve justice for the oppressed and those wronged in the past (right-hand side) This is represented by the people wearing garments from the Earliest Christianity gathering for worship within the catacombs. The present and future generations (wearing contemporary clothes) are represented on the left side of the picture while the whole artwork, made with color pencils, color pastels, water paint and black ink, is represented by the Mandala of hope which the Eucharist, daily prayer, the cycles of time (represented by the plants and the sky), and the range of Sacramental Life can bring.

All these elements are gathered in the central circle, which is illuminated by the light (yellow color) in spite of darkness and opposition (black color) that confronts the whole Earth (brown color).

Jesus is on the Cross but will resurrect through the power of God’s light. Jesus’ body is presented as a compound of triangles (symbols of the Trinity). The Cross is connected to the Earth, the Universe and to Nature itself, showing the inter-connection that there is between the cross and all Creation. These elements are included in the main circle of this mandala held by a hand of a person which symbolizing the Eucharist which is given to the people. The host is eradiating grace (represented as light rays) to all Creation – a symbol of God’s presence in the Eucharistic Consecration.