The Fifteenth Station

Towards the end of May 1988, I had a strong need and determination to get back to accomplishing new works on canvas. However, the combination of not painting for quite some time, a dissatisfaction with what I had last done, and a feeling that a breakthrough was imminent did not make for an easy journey. This work went through many a change and I was worried that the summer season would come to naught. In my usual fashion, however, I kept up the battle.

One new and strange development in the continuing saga of this work was the strange way that "yuk" results, if left alone, wound up looking better to me after a time spent away from the easel. Ordinarily, a "mess" on the canvas would wind up under a coat of gesso--but SOMETHING kept me from taking my usual course of action.

Another inner demand seemed to be a real need for structure. Usually my works are based on my emotion for a good part of the development and the structure evolves only after it seems to me that the lyrical, "feeling" side of the work has gotten carried away and the work needs to be harnessed into a meaningful composition. In this work, the structural requirements seemed needed right from the start. Although I didn't realize it yet, this reversal of roles was the breakthrough I had hoped for. Without the "Fifteenth Station" neither the Psalms series nor the first of my dichotomies would have occured.

As in the case in the majority of my paintings, the title evolved after the fact--after the work was finished and I was sitting contemplating where it had come from and what it meant. Somehow, the poem, FOOTPRINTS, came to mind--about the person who had died and, in reviewing the footprints of his life, told Christ he didn't understand why in the easy parts there were two sets of prints--He walked with him--but in the rough spots, his footsteps were all alone. Christ answered that when the paths were most difficult, "I carried you!"

My thoughts re: the title were that "The Fifteenth Station" would signify the endless task, infinite agony and everlasting suffering Christ has undertaken to guide and assist us in doing what we were put here to do! Christ's sufferings for Himself were over in the Twelfth Station---when He died on the Cross. But, by His Resurrection and promise to be with us always, He also shouldered the extremely heavy burden and chore of listening to and aiding us in our never-ending cries for help. he understands our struggles and incessant search for answers as to why God put us here and what he wants us to do! So in His Goodness, Christ chose to extend His Stations (His suffering for us) beyond the original fourteen---to an intermindable FIFTEENTH STATION!