Angels Among Us
"I saw an Angel in the chaos layers and painted to set it free”
This week is a sneak peek into the studio where some special personalities are unfolding into a new series.
“Angels Among Us”
An Angel means different things to different people and is found in a multitude of different religions. I removed myself from the spiritual and mystical component of this as I am only focused on painting. However, a new study out this week finds 7 in 10 U.S. adults say they believe in angels, according to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. In my mind’s eye, I will focus on the definition by Merriam-Webster and employ qualities in my paintings that hover around the 7 descriptions below.
By definition, they are:
From Merriam-Webster,
angel, noun, an·gel ˈān-jəl
: a spiritual being serving as a divine messenger and intermediary and often as a special protector of an individual or nation
: an attendant usually benevolent spirit or guardian
: the part of a person's character or nature that is said to guide the person's thoughts and behavior
: a usually white-robed winged figure of human form in fine art
: messenger, harbinger
: a person who is like an angel (as in looks or behavior)
: inspiration from God
Their personalities will evolve in this series which I will be working on through the summer and into the fall. When their shapes have emerged from the paint and the final bits of mark-making and collage have solidified their being, I will begin on their individual names and stories.
Based on writings from religious scholars, poets, historians, artists, and authors I have developed pre-conceived thoughts throughout my lifetime and images of which I hope to break. Angels are not stereotypical, they should reflect their surroundings.
“ The industrious Angel is small and quick-moving. His aura is composed of a rainbow of vibrating color to compliment the ever-changing stream of humanity he interacts with.”
Karen Blessen, American Artist
Faces and personalities emerge
It’s a process that begins by building a background for the angels. The infamous chaos layer. A Chaos Layer starts each painting. The purpose of this initial layer is to provide an “un-whited” surface with texture and character and the underlayer to the angels. This includes a variety of colors from a pre-planned palette but with no real rhyme or reason when first applied to the paper. My point is to create depth, texture, and activity. From this point forward, I build upon each layer with a purpose that speaks to me from each painting.
Faces are crafted on bits of older painted backgrounds and rejected art. They become collage material as they are torn into their shapes. Each unique face rises with the beginning hopes of emerging on its own background. It’s a trial and error approach as I mock up who looks best against the initial backgrounds and wings that are also torn from additional rejected painted papers. Fabrics and additional fodder are also used to create layered drama on the trademark angel wings and robes.
The entire process involves paint, collage, tearing of paper and fodder, drawing, and layering. Molding of the body begins as the pieces are slowly assembled and glued into permanent positions.
“But everywhere there is…a sense of something transcending the expected or natural, a sense of the extraordinary, mysterious, or supernatural.
Robert E Lowie, American Anthropologist, 1883-1957
“Rose looked up. To her amazement there stood an Angel she wasn’t any taller than Rose herself, with blond hair and a halo that was tilted just a little bit. Everything about her had a glow, unlike anything Rose had ever seen.”
Debby Boon, American Writer, 1956
“Angels are guardians of people and all physical things. For this reason, angels and cherubs have been found for centuries in the home.”
Gladys Mack, American Art Historian
“ Every Visible thing in this world is put in the charge of an Angel.
St Augustine, 354-430, Roman Philosopher
These sweet angels are still works in progress along with about 16 others that are waiting to emerge. Each will have a unique Name and a purpose before they are launched into the world.
Reader Homework:
I’m asking you, my readers, to send me names and a few descriptors about that name (i.e. keeper of secrets, fearless protector, green thumb, etc) that have meaning to you and that you would love to see attached to a unique Angel in this collection. Email me or leave it in the comments this week. Each Angel will carry their name with them into their new world.
This series will see its big launch on Black Friday. As a valued reader, this coupon code is only available to you:
At checkout, in the Etsy studio, you can use the code
➡️EVERYARTISTHOLIDAY23⬅️
This 25% off coupon will be good from November 24 thru December 25, 2023, on all Holiday themed original art.
Inside the studio with Angels all around
See you next week with a whole new story and more amazing unique art.
Want to see more art during the week? Follow me on Instagram for a quick snippet of work-in-process photos.
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