The Spirituality Collection

Spirituality as opposed to Religion is not an easy distinction to make in many peoples minds. In deciding to make this separation in our art collection much thought has been given to this introduction. Certainly we do not purport to be experts, but we do have specific beliefs. Having researched this subject we can point to two published articles by Jacqueline S. Mattis of the University of Michigan. The first article, "African American Women's Definitions of Spirituality and Religiosity", published in The Journal of Black Psychology, Vol.26, no 1, 101-122 (2000), the second is "Religion and Spirituality in the Meaning-making and Coping Experiences of African American Women: A Qualitative Analysis", published in the Psychology of Women Quarterly, vol.26, number 4, Dec.2002, pp 309-321. For in depth analysis of this issue please Google these articles.

For our purposes here and from our perspective and as the above articles point out, ideally Religion should be the path to the ultimate goal of a condition of inner peace. Indeed, perhaps this should be the measure of any Religion's true success. The hearts of it's people. Why must Religions fight each other when at least in theory, they all have the same goal?

As the image above, 'The Life of a Rose', shows we speak here of things not seen but still real. The spiritual behind the physical. The petals may die but the spirit remains.

Many of the images in this collection honor those who have reached their ultimate metaphysical goals regardless of which specific path they have used to gain this state.

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'Mother Nature' celebrates the female principle behind all creation.

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To be in touch with our own individuality is a key our own development. In 'Salt Water Soul' this individual is in complete harmony with the Sun and the Sea.

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'Moon Blue' was inspired by the song by Stevie Wonder. It also celebrates the internal paradoxes of a state of Love.

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