Colored People

"Colored People" painted in 1996, depicts different colored faces with expressions that are angry, confused, mean, surprised, and so intense.  Their eyes are different colors, as are their mouths.  What did Serafin intend to convey in this group setting?  Actually, why did I pick this painting to talk about today?.  The title, "Colored People" plays on words, teases the mind, or simply shares a Crayola moment for a youngster?  What are they all looking at?  A mirror?  Is this the selfie that expresses America, then and now?  2020 is coming in a few hours; will we have 20/20 vision?  Or, in 25 years will this painting be as relevant as it was 25 years ago?

Festival of Star Cathedral

For the holiday season, Festival of Star Cathedral, shows the joy and glee of the characters John created for the holy day.  It's a happy adventure with animals, folk dancers, and strangers who showed up randomly.  There's a lot of movement, proud characters on top of the star, and of course, it's a mystery where the door of the church is!  Does anyone want to really go to church?  Or, just dance and wave at us?

Winter's Kitchen on a snowy morning

John Serafin lived most of his life in Upstate New York where wintertime rules.  The painting, Winter's Kitchen, reminds one of a late morning, probably a snow day, and breakfast is on the table.  There's such happiness in this still life. The images are dancing and a quilted river is flowing through the kitchen reminding one of the continuous and circular nature of our Mother, our lives.