BLACK ROBES is a series of pastel paintings of Benedictine monks. 

   The paintings were researched by Roy E. Burgess during his two years as artist in

    residence at Blue Cloud Abbey, a monastery in South Dakota.

   These paintings provide a rare look at the cloistered world of monks who center their

    lives around prayer, work and community according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

                                                              The images cannot be reproduced without the artist consent.