John August Swanson of Los Angeles is another of my favourite online artists. His painting, “Festival of Lights”, was featured on the book, “Practicing Our Faith“, and featured in the Seasons of the Spirit material a couple of years back. John provides some of the background for the painting on his site:
“It is a dark night with a star-filled sky. Tiny lights are seen on the distant hillsides, gradually becoming figures carrying candles as they come closer to the foreground of the painting. …
I thought about liturgical processions I had seen. I remembered walking with groups in candlelight for peace in Central America. The symbol of candles shining in the dark night is powerful to me. Star-filled nights are images that help give me a sense of the place we are in the universe.”
John Swanson’s art reflects the strong heritage of storytelling he inherited from his Mexican mother and Swedish father. His narrative is direct and easily understood. He addresses himself to human values, cultural roots, and his quest for self-discovery through visual images. These include Bible stories and social celebrations such as attending the circus, the concert, and the opera. He also tells of everyday existence, of city and country walks, of visits to the library, the train station or the schoolroom. All his parables optimistically embrace life and one’s spiritual transformation.