I had the pleasure of doing this watercolor painting as a commission after a client contacted me about my Assisi I painting.  She showed me several of her travel photos, which I used for a design purpose of this painting.

St. Francis of Assisi (1182 - 1226) is widely known as a lover of nature and someone who was able to communicate with animals.  He deeply cared about the environment.  He talked to the birds.  He preached to trapped animals.  He tamed a terrorizing wolf.  So the stories go.  If he lived now, in this age of global climate change and other critical environmental issues affecting all living creatures on earth, what would he tell us?

According to a Franciscan group's website (link), he would first tell us to "look at our attitudes and behaviors."  St. Francis knew that human sins, such as greed, ignorance and arrogance, were the causes of environmental destruction, human misery and suffering.  He would also want us to be "humble" and "see ourselves as part of the whole, dependent on the environment for our survival."  Regardless of our spiritual beliefs, this message of St. Francis should speak to us all.  It is so true and so easy to forget in everyday life.


Media: Original watercolor
Image Size: 8.25 x 11.5 in. (on 9 x 12 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Sold