"PALLOR MEMORIA (Memory Fades)" by Rob Moler (Original Painting)

I believe in the “magic” of objects. Objects, whether man-made or natural, have the power to transport us through time and space. Objects whisper words from cherished loved ones, dance to the tunes of faded youth, and echo the bittersweet of life experience. We feather our nests with these shiny things throughout the course of our lives. My compositions are slowly crafted to tell visual stories which are both personal and universal. Often my symbolism challenges the core beliefs found in the religious traditions of our western world as compared to an atheist perspective.

I began “The Latin Series” as an exercise in art therapy to help me reconcile the death of a beloved family member. Each painting began with my symbol of love, the iris, which is both perennial and fragile in nature. From this central focal point I worked outward, spending a great deal of time thinking about other objects or animals that might relate to each other in some way to express my thoughts on life, relationships, and loss. Latin titles were selected to give guidance to the viewer as to my thoughts and motivation.

I am drawn to surrealism as it depicts a world where time is meaningless and gravity does not rule. In my surreal landscapes, objects are possessed by the spirits of positive and negative emotions or are carried by my little hummingbird messengers to add further depth to the story. Hopefully my work will connect emotionally with viewers, encouraging them to unmask these objects to discover their spiritual core and find personal meaning within.

I use the tornado as a symbol of abrupt change and transition. In this composition, the tornado is a growing threat to the central focus of the iris bloom, my symbol of love. Being both perennial and fragile in nature, love attempts to survive against any and all adversity. The floating elephant, an inherited object from my favorite aunt’s estate, is included as a memory symbol (“an elephant never forgets”). In this composition, however, it’s thrown into orbit by the advancing winds. Our negative memories of strained relationships often fade when we are faced with tragedy or adversity. By focusing on the memory of our love for others, we find the strength to let go of pettiness, jealousy and disappointment. Some memories need to fade to keep us sane.