I was going thru some old artwork today and came across some unfinished artwork for a series that I was doing on the California Missions.
I am embarrassed to say that I let public opinion sway my focus and I stopped creating the final mission artwork because of the controversy that has been surfaced over the building of the California missions, and the abuse to the Mission Indians involved.
This post is not to add to the controversy, but merely to state that my ancestry includes Mission Indian heritage, and for that I am thankful. My family history also includes my great-grandfather who brought his family, legally, to the United States from Mexico, because he saw the U.S.A. as a land of opportunity and freedom. Once here, they became citizens, lived for and supported the American way, and waved an American Flag proudly.
I was raised to be proud of America, to celebrate it’s history, all of it, and to be the best person I could be. I recognize that history is not always pretty. We are human, and we make mistakes. I love that there is such a thing as grace, that we can both receive and extend.
Do I seek restitution? No. I choose to be thankful that in our history there was the opportunity to learn about agriculture, stone masonry, strong family ties, independence, fortitude, hope…and grace.
And for that reason, I am reintroducing the California Mission series of art, to celebrate my ancestry, the learning of life lessons, and the beauty of these old structures.
May you enjoy this series with a heart of joy, peace and grace.
