Fishermen – Let Down Your Nets

Description

Peter and his friends fished all night; they are tired and have not caught any fish. Someone on the beach calls out: “Put down your nets one more time. Don’t give up yet.” They put down their nets and they catch so many fish that the nets are almost breaking! The sunlight reflects on the clouds, the sail, and the faces of the fishermen.

The Fishemen is envisioned in bright vibrant colors, as the sun rises, bringing the new day. The ocean shines with a multitude of colors of patterned fish and waves. The words from the gospel in Spanish and English adorn the top and bottom of the piece in dark lettering on a golden embellished background. The scene is surrounded in a rainbow of colored squares on a purple border.

Because Swanson printed giclee editions in smaller batches, only those printed during his lifetime are signed by the artist. The remaining prints from the edition are made using the same image he created and approved, but with his signature printed where he would have signed them.

The Artist’s notes on his final artwork
Over my life as an artist, I have created variations of this story. It helps me to accept our struggles, and to appreciate the casting of my own “net” into the waves, as well as my surprise in experiencing the fruit and the abundance of gifts that are there. The resources within each of us are inexhaustible, if we keep trying.