My grandfather Lorenz Wilhelm Roeder painted this image of a Ligor (lion/tiger mix) while attending the World’s Fair in Saint Louis in 1904. The liger is a hybrid offspring of a female Tiger (Panthera tigris) and a male Lion (Panthera leo) 

Too often, commercial urns are ugly and frankly just look like containers. I offer an alternative, a totally hand-built urn inspired by my work with the Pueblo nations and my experiences in France. Nobody needs to know that aunt Matilda or your pet fluffy is on the mantle. Hand-built, not machine-made. Therefore each one is a unique piece of art.

My family has been associated with Native Americans for generations, trying to be partners. This particular piece I did was inspired by my own experience with the Pueblo nations. I ran it by Joe Garcia, former President of the National Congress of American Indians, who liked it. Always important to consult, as this is a representation of another people’s culture. Also grateful to my cousin Mac Toll, whose family also had positive relations with the nations in New Mexico and did their own renderings.

Simple drawing.

Due to some recent health issues, I have been instructed to eat more pears and look after my diet in general.

Another image being discussed is a photograph of a Bedouin guide in the Sinai. The guide and his family are long time friends, with whom the artist has stayed in contact. The gentleman often accompanied the artist on expeditions in the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula in the 1980’s while the artist served as a peacekeeping official. They are still in touch.

One of the images being talked about is a bright orange and red picture of a swimmer diving into a dark hole in the middle of fire. This is actually a depiction of someone diving in hell after committing suicide. The painting was an effort to convince a friend in London to deal with his depression before it overtook his emotions. Fortunately, the tactic work. The work was also featured in a county-sponsored show on Healing Art. This fits the artist’s philosophy which is to use art to help and explore, not just entertain.