Donald Pass
Q: For The Hope We Seek, you chose to use crops of artwork by the Visionary painter Donald Pass.
RS: I first became familiar with Donald’s work about eight years ago. I heard about his vision in the churchyard, and I found it easy to believe that the scenes depicted in his paintings came from a real experience. They are that vivid. That impactful.
His images of the resurrection of souls were close, in substance and feeling, with the mental pictures I had formed of Hope and the crowds of souls struggling to deliver themselves to her. He seemed like the ideal artist for the project. I had some trepidations, however. I wasn’t sure if he would embrace my fiction as something that could exist alongside his vision. And there was the question of personal chemistry.
Meeting him, crossing the bridge we had to cross, being understood and accepted by him—that ended up meaning a lot more to me than the work we did to produce the Hope paintings.
He left us in 2010. I wish our friendship could have lasted longer. I’m thankful that he was able to be a part of The Hope We Seek.
The Too Far Gallery
Project Cover, Donald Pass, Avalanche of Souls. Watercolor, signed and dated: 2005. 37 x 39 in.
Album Cover, Donald Pass, The Awakening. Watercolor, signed and dated: 2005. 57 x 46 in.
The Private, Donald Pass, On Hope’s Wings. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 39 1/2 x 70 in.
1. Bring Me More, Donald Pass, Straining Towards Salvation. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 26 x 36 1/2 in.
2. Pure and Chaste, Donald Pass, The Awakening. Watercolor, signed and dated: 2005. 57 x 46 in.
3. Give Hope Your Heart, Donald Pass, Gathering of Souls. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 36 x 46 in.
4. Swing That Sledge, Donald Pass, Arms of Hope. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 36 x 52 1/2 in.
5. See What You Are, Donald Pass, Avalanche of Souls. Watercolor, signed and dated: 2005. 37 x 39 in.
6. Hope’s Not Here, Donald Pass, Angel Ascendant. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 26 x 36 in.
7. Farther Down, Donald Pass, Angel Hope Descends. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 29 x 20 in.
8. Come to Me, Donald Pass, Hope’s Cradle. Watercolor, signed and dated: 2005. 37 x 57 in.
9. Hope, Take Me Home, Donald Pass, Hope’s Choosing. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 25 x 18 in.
10. At the Shift’s End, Donald Pass, Hope Incomplete. Charcoal, signed and dated: 2005. 36 x 36 in.
