The “Soulstice” series of paintings came into being on a very special time in our universe, at the beginning of a cycle the Mayans did not get to chart. Although in the northern hemisphere the solstice traditionally falls on June 21, this year it began about a day earlier. Additionally, the biggest and brightest moon of the year, the supermoon peaked just a couple of days afterwards. I have long noticed the strange pull the lunar cycles have on me. In fact, for many years I would avoid leaving the house on full or no moon nights, as events in recent memory had led me to believe that I was not in control, but that a were-wolf like transformation occurred on those nights.

This year, maybe because of my committed soul-searching and continued daily meditation practice, synchronous events have become common place – including the timely apparition of a certain muse. Full of universal energy we took long fast walks, satisfied our thirst with wine, and allowed our souls to co-mingle in ethereal bliss on the streets of Allentown, basking in the glorious summer heat during the Infringement Festival, where I sat in with several bands and played music till the early hours of the morning.

The “Soulstice” paintings depict the energy that was transmitted through me during these adventurous days, having produced twice as much work in a few weeks than I usually do in an entire year. Of course, my inadequate physical body was severely affected by what I can best describe as a tear in the dimensional fabric – something I have experienced before when songs come into my mind fully arranged and orchestrated, leaving me with the reasonably simple task of recording what already had been communicated to me.

Physical responses became embarrassingly unpredictable, my arms protesting the rapid repetitive motions required by my painting process, resulting carpal tunnel pain flaring up. Then I developed a splitting head ache – in fact, only the right half of my brain was in pain. I would fall asleep to very active and disturbing nightmares, only to awake at 3 a.m. with a sharp pain, like someone had just given me a hard blow to my face, the pain then radiating from my neck to my jaw and my head. After about a week of the daily nightmares, all ending in the same way and at the same time, (nothing short of the most hellish version of Groundhog Day set in Dante's inferno) – I was ready to transition out. The muse, having satisfied her thirst, went on her way.

Eventually the pain became focused on a tooth, which was repaired. Once again I was allowed to rest and ponder what the universe had delivered. Although I have not painted since, I have been on demand as an event photographer, working on a portrait series, and rehearsing my songs, which I will once again soon share. Until then, I leave you with a parting thought: don't be afraid to go down the rabbit hole, the universe will provide! Namaste.

The exhibition at Pausa Art House, 19 Wadsworth St., Allentown, opened with a reception on October 3 at 6 pm, and will continue until November 30, where there will be a closing performance with Vince Quatroche and myself. Please join us!

These monoprints are a continuation of one of my earliest paint/print making processes which I began while at Fredonia State University.  Those pieces, which I have posted here, were exhibited at my solo show at Art Dialogue Galley in 1992. Soulstice-V, was selected for participation in the 117th Buffalo Society of Artists catalog exhibit - please join me for the opening reception on September 15 from 2-5 pm at the Kenan Art Center in Lockport, NY.

Alejandro

PS.  A special thanks to all those who came and filled Pausa Art House for the closing party. I performed a few solo pieces on acoustic guitar; Vince Quatroche performed poems from his latest CD QuattroVox and premiered his poem “Just Buffalo.” You owe it to yourself to listen to him. We were joined on stage by the very talented Liz Widsynski on clarinet and Aaron Folmsbee on trumpet.