Abstract Spiritual or Humorous Water Color Paintings by Artist Rafael Joseph Gonzalez

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Not quite completed Rafael emailed this Water Color to me as it haunted and disturbed him while painting it. This is the only other Painting he ever showed me that was a work in progress. Often, the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease would paralyze Rafael in the morning hours before his medication was taken. Those dark and frightening hours were spent alone and sometimes Rafael would call me while he was waiting for the Paralysis to wear off.

Rafael didn't talk too much about this Painting but I always enjoyed it's serenity.

"Day Dreams"

Rafael didn't do a lot of Abstracts but when he did they were undeniably good. In confidence he would tell me about some interesting thing he would incorporate into the painting that you never guess by looking, such as the bottom of his shoe print. You could spend hours looking at his abstracts and never know what he used. His paintings were as intricate, mysterious and as complex as he was.

"Desolation Valley"

When the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease would take over Rafael, he would become depressed and gloomy and paintings such as "Desolation Valley" would be created. I believe this painting was one that Rafael had requested be present at his funeral or to be buried with him.

"Dinner at the In-Laws"

Sharks, Lawyers, Attorney's and In-Laws. This humorous water color was only humorous on the surface but the subject was something most could relate to. I used to tease Rafael and tell him that some Attorney would love to have this in his waiting room. Teasing aside, Rafael trusted few people and thought most had an Agenda or were looking for something to get from others.

"Iguana Heights"

This Water Color was the subject of a few of our conversations regarding the Activities of Drug Users and Street People. An Abstract showing Rafael's view of the streets he saw and grew up around in parts of New York.

"Lady Bugs of the Millenium Arrive"

Humorous or Prophetic? Rafael painted some scenes depicting what he thought would happen should we go through a nuclear holocaust. He felt that some species might mutate and that Lady Bugs might return rectangular shaped rather than round. People loved the Lady Bug Paintings the most out of all of Rafael's Water Color's.

"Lady Bugs of the New Millenium ll"

Water Color Painting of Nuclear Lady Bugs.

"Lady Bugs of the New Millennium lll"

Even Nuclear Holocaust Lady Bugs need a Family.

"Mountain and Meteor"

This Painting, Rafael told me depicted his vision of what a Meteor hitting earth might look like.

"New Lady Bugs"

A Pastel Water Color scene with Rafaels' Nuclear Holocaust Lady Bugs.

Click for Larger view

"Night Lizards"

Another view of "Iguana Heights".

"Sacrifice of the Lamb"

This is one of the very first Abstracts that Rafael emailed to me. All of his Abstracts were excellent. Look closely to see what Rafael might have used in this Water Color.

"The Cathedral Spires"

This Water Color may have been one that Rafael sold to either the Jehovah's Witnesses or the Mormon's. One day they came knocking on his door with the intention of Converting Rafael to their Religion. Rafael was a devout Catholic and while he respected all Religions he did not feel the need to convert. The funny part of the story was while the nice gentleman came to Convert Rafael they themselves became the "Buyers" of Rafael's Art and instead invited Rafael to come and speak at their church.

"The Cave"

This Painting was accompanied by Rafael's Poetry titled "The Cave" which he entered in the Poetry.com Contest. Rafael told me "The Cave" depicted some of his feelings associated with living with Parkinsons' Disease.

"The Deep"

Another significant complex Abstract by Rafael. When I asked him what this painting was about Rafael answered "It's about People's Emotions".

"The Enchanted Castle"

I was supposed to fly to New York around the time that Rafael painted this Picture. It seemed no matter how hard I tried that fate was against me going. In December Rafael purchased a Roundtrip Air Fare to fly to Albany on Christmas Day. I was sick with the flu and afraid that I would get him sick. I was too weak to even pack a suitcase. I knew I had to cancel. In the meantime I was presented with Papers from someone trying to take my home. I had to find an Attorney and respond right in the middle of Christmas, New Years and all those Holidays. I tried really hard to juggle all these things so I could keep my promise to be their for Rafael. I knew he was depressed and I felt if I could get there I could talk him into going to the Doctor. I finally got an Attorney and was getting ready to change the Ticket date when I got Mugged. It was the 20th of January. In my purse was the tickets. This painting was about visiting Rafael. I told him his home was probably a magical place filled with Music and Art.

"The Secret Garden"

A painting that each must interpret for themselves.

"The Healing Water's"

One of Rafael's Best and Latest Works. When Rafael would send me Beautiful and Hopeful Paintings like this I would began to believe that he was going to be okay, that surely a Cure for Parkinson's would be found soon. This painting ended up on the cover of New York Academy of Sciences Magazine after Rafael died. It's message was to inspire Doctors in over a hundred country's to fine a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

"The Shadow's Follow Me"

This is the completed Painting that began as "Anguish upon the Cross". Rafael told me he felt as though he would die soon and that it frightened him. Sometimes, he said he felt as though Death were following him. The one thing Rafael feared more than Death was the thought of being locked up in a Mental Institution and taken from his home. When going to his Doctor, instead of getting encouraging or hopeful news the Doctor would tell him that Rafael would probably have "Psychosis" near the end. This made Rafael angrier than anything and he would yell on the phone "I can't believe what the ****ing Doctor said. He said that I would go in to Psychosis. Being the Highly Intelligent and Successful Person that Rafael was through his whole life the thought of not being in control was something he hated and something I felt that Doctor was totally irresponsible about. Rafael never went in to Psychosis but he did contemplate suicide verbally as his option to avoid the Doctor's possible prognosis.

"The Speaker"

Rafael painted few paintings with people in them but when he did they always had a significant meaning as in this Water Color.

"The Tribe"

This Water Color has special meaning to me as Rafael said I inspired him to paint it. If you look closely you can see the tribal members blended into the trees. Rafael understood how closely we feel connected to Nature. I wish I had this painting but I do not. If you know who has it please let me know.

"Abstract Tiger"

This is the only animal water color I know of by Rafael.