Angels in Paint by S.L.B. Hanson

Our Little Angel

2012-01-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

Maddie with Wings

(Our Little Angel)

I love endearments. I think they make the person you love feel even more special. Recently I remembered that my Dad called me "Little Bit" when I was small. It made me feel precious. And "Precious" is what our Gran called all of her grandchildren, me included.

Maddie is a little over a year old now, and most often, both of her parents call her "Maddie Bug". Cute, huh? Anyway, I've not thought of her as "our little angel", even though I knew that after they visited when she was 10 months old I just HAD to paint her as a cherub. I used for a reference photo a picture of her seated on a 12' trampoline, looking at a leaf.

The painting is 24"x24" and is done in oils. I had to really scramble to get it done and dried before shipping it off to California in time for Christmas! It was a success, as both our daughter and our son-in-law cried over it!!! They had no idea I was painting Maddie, and their response to it made me extra happy. Plus, I got to smile for over a month as I painted her. It made me feel almost as if she were still here with us on the east coast. California is a very long way away from Virginia....

Makeda Mekelle

2011-09-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

Makeda Mekelle

(Beautiful, Who Is Like God)

Amharic

18" x 24"

Oil on Linen with gold foil

$800

Also available as prints and note cards.

One of my 'friends' on Facebook is a wonderful artist and photographer named Gisela Hammer. She graciously allowed me to paint a small child that she had photographed. In her picture, this little girl is in ragged clothes. The filthy shirt was so torn that there were no shoulders. She was holding a staff, and stood smiling in front of a rock wall.

There have been other times I gazed upon a person, usually a child, and felt that God gave me His heart and His eyes to see that one, fully loved, fully healed, fully blessed and protected as only our Heavenly Father could do. That's how it was when I saw this precious little girl. I saw past the earthly to her true self, her highly esteemed position in Abba's kingdom, and created from her present image an eternal angel. I "redeemed" her torn T-shirt, stitched in an African gold necklace, and replaced her staff with a golden angelic trumpet. I hope when you look on this painting, your heart swells. I hope that you will look on the lowly and the ragged with God's heart and God's eyes, and be filled with His love for them. He loves you the same way, you know.

Matthew 18:3

And Jesus said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Mark 9:37

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My Name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One Who sent Me.”

Heavenly Playmates - Aaron

2011-08-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Heavenly Playmates - Aaron

6" x 6" Acrylic on canvas

$75.00

I painted three small cherubs during our 10-10-10 Event at Olde Towne Art in October of 2010. Two of them immediately sold, leaving Toby by himself. When I recently finished a very large painting, I decided that Toby needed a playmate, and painted this little cherub who is also from a statue in the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.

When I find cherubs in cemeteries, I often wonder if the artist was commissioned to sculpt a likeness of the child who is buried there as an angel. In my imagination I like to think that the Lord sends down a friendly spirit to bring a child who leaves this earth to be with Him in heaven, so cherubs like these have a special place in my heart. But whether children are escorted by angels who look like other children or whether they are solid, reassuring grown-up looking angels, or whether Jesus Himself appears to take them in His loving arms, who really knows? For me, there's enough room in the divine mystery for any and all answers, as long as in the end they are with God.

As Jesus arose to heaven (Luke 24:51), so shall those who love Him (2 Cor. 5:1 and Revelation 11:12, which says: Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on."

Breath of Peace

2011-08-03T06:02:00.000-07:00

Breath of Peace

36" x 24"

Acrylic on gallery wrapped linen

$600

Also available as prints and note cards.

For an upcoming gallery show entitled, "Black, White and One" I chose this statue's serene face, and aside from black and white I have used only Pthalo Green. Often during the process I move the painting out of my studio so that I can walk a distance from it and study what still needs to be done, since as you most likely know, I pray and paint as I feel God directs me. While standing and praying, about half way through her creation, another artist came and looked with me and said in an awe-filled whisper, "She's breathing!"

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 20:21-22: Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." And with that He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Servant Heart

2011-07-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Servant Heart

18" x 24"

Oil on canvas

$800

Also available as prints and note cards.

This lovely child angel is a baptismal font in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Olde Towne Portsmouth. It's a historic church that is still in use today, dating from the early 1700's. Visitors can take guided tours through the building and see the original Tiffany stained glass windows and hand-crafted appointments, statuary and cemetery. I was surprised that I was allowed to take pictures, but our guide, Dean Burgess [who does this volunteer service in full Colonial costume and with much devotion] graciously let me take as many as I liked.

The marble of the shell she holds is almost translucent and the quality of light fascinated me. So, for the painting, I decided to imbue the implied water with a sacred reflective light of its own. I hope you find meaning in this image. She gladdens my heart!

I couldn't choose between so many wonderful scriptures about servants and so I've included quite a few here. Perhaps one will be especially meaningful to you!

2 Samuel 7:29: Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

1 Kings 8:23: and said: “LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.

Deuteronomy 3:24: “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

Joshua 22:5: But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

1 Samuel 3:9: So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 25:41: She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, “I am your servant and am ready to serve you and wash the feet of my lord’s servants.”

Psalm 4:3: Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

Psalm 34:22: The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 86:4: Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

Psalm 103:21: Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

Psalm 134:1: A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

Angel of Victory

2011-07-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Angel of Victory

18" x 36" acrylic on canvas

$650

The references for this angel painting came from some of my photographs taken in Richmond, VA, in the Hollywood Cemetery. One of my favorite things about the old statues is the absolute serenity so often masterfully carved into their stances and facial expressions. When I was younger I did a lot of stone carving, so I'm especially impressed with these artisans of days past. The actual statue portrays a younger angel, more like a girl really. This painting is intended to express the successful warrior angel whose task has been completed and the loved one safely removed from all of life's peril and suffering to heaven's realm of peace and joy.

A praise song from my early days of walking with Christ proclaims:

In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus,

We have the victory.

In the Name of Jesus, in the Name of Jesus,

Demons will have to flee.

In the Name of Jesus, Jesus, we have the victory!

Psalm 34:7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 (NIV)

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

May you have victory in this life and know rescue from every kind of harm and evil by your Savior, Jesus Christ!

Pure Heart

2011-07-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

Pure Heart

24" x 20"

Oil on canvas, heavy gold frame

$500

Also available as prints and note cards.

So, what helps when we are grieving? Do funerals help people get through the loss of a loved one? Does solitude; or do wakes filled with stories of the loved one's foibles and antics? Does time really heal?

I've known people who get memorial tattoos which are basically portraits they carry lifelong on their bodies. Some monied people start foundations or build libraries titled with the name of the beloved person who died.

Most of us carry on with a limp and a heavy heart, going through our days sometimes well and sometimes ... not. The weight of the loss does change over time, but does that simply mean our thoughts become distracted by all the obligations that fill our days? Does time really heal?

Ministers at graveside services often still use the old timeworn words, "in the sure and certain hope of resurrection," and this is meaningful to me. One of the reasons that I scour cemeteries for angel monuments and paint them is this. They are a reminder of the hope of the resurrection. So that in loss, when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable, we can look up to heaven and smile; gaze on a cemetery angel or a painting of one, and smile, knowing that our loved one has passed from our sight, but that we will be reunited one day.

I'm guessing that when a child dies, this is the hardest time to carry the weight of grief. I am thankful that is not a grief I have known, but my heart goes out to those who have. This cherub is one of several I have painted so far, and I'm not sure whether this is a "he" or a "she". A century ago both genders wore hairstyles like this. Choose what seems best to you. I'm going with "her" here. I love the gentleness of her expression, and the sweet innocence of her prayerfulness. Who could deny prayers coming from such a one as this? Certainly a loving Father God will answer these prayers.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will - to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves." Ephesians 1:3-6

Beautiful Mizrahi

2011-06-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Mizrahi

20" x 16"

Acrylic on canvas

$650

Also available as prints and note cards.

As an artist, I am always fascinated by unusual uses of color and brilliant displays. Sometimes I see runway models and print models with fabulous splashes of color and it inspires me to paint. Although I could not use the vivid blues and turquoise of the make-up artist's work, which was what first attracted me, I turned a close-up image of her face and hands into a dancing angel with falcon wings and eyelashes. I let her wings exhibit the fabulous colors. And when I stood [transfixed, I admit it] before the finished painting, I was clueless as to what to name her. Friends on the internet helped me with many lovely suggestions. After reading about the Mizrahi dance, music and cultural/social movement, that had to be it! It fit perfectly; but even that name simply wasn't exuberant enough, so she became Beautiful Mizrahi. I hope you will search online for Mizrahi music and listen. It will bless you!

Zephaniah 3:17 (Amplified version)

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a mighty One, a Savior - Who saves! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. ... and somewhere it says: and dance over you with joy! I figure if our Lord dances over His people with joy, the angels will all join in!

Worship

2011-06-27T07:46:00.000-07:00

Worship

24" x 20"

Oil and Gold Leaf foil on canvas

SOLD

Available in prints and as note cards

This piece began as an emotive piece for me to stretch a little between other more realistic ones. It was a "feel good" exercise, and to my surprise it kept right on making me feel good all the way to the finish! It was really enjoyable to do a more abstracted image for a change. Last year, 2010, was the first time I ever knew how much abstracted pieces would capture my focus and heart. I did 14 of them last year!

The angels here, unlike the ones I've been painting recently, have no faces or distinctions between them. They are worshipping God en masse, in a concert of gently swaying movements, with the hems of their garments seemingly flowing out from one garment of praise.

As I was working on this painting with great joy, I felt that the Lord let me know it was going to sell. I was slightly frustrated with that news, since I'm still in the wrong-headed process of measuring the worth of abstracted pieces versus more realistic ones....

The woman who bought this (before it had even dried, within hours of my adding my signature!) said to me that these are the exact colors in their master bedroom, even down to the more copper tone I used on the gallery wrap edges! As she drew close enough to see individual color dots in the wings, she exclaimed that the darker blues are the same shade as her accent pillows! So, I don't know if you will agree with me, but my sense is that this piece was done FOR her, for her home, for her enjoyment and blessing. This certainly is not close to any of my frequently chosen palettes. And it makes me happy to have created something beautiful for someone else, like a commission piece, but without knowing ahead of time that was what I was doing!

Because she is military, I've chosen the following song of worship for this painting:

Revelation 15:4 "Great and wonderful are the things You have done,

Adonai, God of heaven's armies!

Just and true are Your ways,

King of the nations!

Adonai, Who will not fear and glorify Your Name?

Because You alone are holy,

All nations will come and worhsip before You,

For Your righteous deeds have been revealed.

Awaiting Resurrection

2011-06-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Awaiting Resurrection

18" x 36"

Acrylic on canvas, ornate frame

$900

After I came through a time of exhausting spiritual warfare, I turned to some reference photos taken in a cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia. Painting this lovely statue brought me such peace. I've got the feeling she represents Mary, the Mother of Jesus. I have asked others why she would be holding a wreath on her arm, and their answers seem to match mine. We're not sure, but it looks as if perhaps this is the crown of the redeemed which this person, over whom she is standing, will receive in heaven... Why it would be flowers, I don't know. (Since then, I have found many cemetery statues of angels holding floral wreaths, as well.) I love her pensive stance, and the sweet patience she exudes. She helped me to breathe deeply and bring my soul to a more restful place. I hope she metes out the same kind of peace and well-being to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Angel of Deliverance

2011-06-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Angel of Deliverance

30" x 50"

Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

SOLD

Also available as prints and note cards.

Seemingly from the very beginning of man's understanding of Almighty God, I Am that I Am, El Shaddai (and all of the other names by which He's made Himself known) we have also heard of His ministering spirits. He sends His angels on missions of mercy and missions of destroying wrath. They tenderly guard children on their way and they destroyed all of Egypt's firstborn in the days of Pharaoh. They worship at the throne of God and obey His commands. One of my favorite contemporary Christian songs is Amy Grant's "Angels Watchin' Over Me".

When I set my heart on the painting of a descending angel coming to the rescue, I asked a fellow artist and friend of mine to model for me. We weren't able to do the photo session in time for me to finish what I had purposed to undertake in time for my One Person Show called "Heaven Among Us", May of 2011. We'll get that done one day. But instead of postponing my idea any longer, I let it flow from my imagination. Here is a less realistiic, more cartoon version of the Angel of Deliverance, who is coming to lift the viewer out of crisis and carry him/her off to safety.

Psalm 34:7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and he delivers them.

Note: If you were looking for posts here in May, I apologize. I was preparing and displaying my first One Person Show called "Heaven Among Us", and now finally have time to breathe. And post. :-)

If you are enjoying my blog and images, I hope you will become a 'follower', and send me a note or comment. Blessings!

A Gathering of Angels

2011-06-01T05:59:00.000-07:00

Seraphic Convergence

A Gathering of Angels

18" x 24" each

$800/pair

For the past several years, we've worked at Olde Towne Art to have various showings in our front gallery that have expressed themes, intersperced with shows of new works. The gallery changes out each month on First Friday, so the paintings are displayed for a whole month at a time. One of the themes we did was based on all black and white pieces. In 2010 we decided to do a Black and White Plus One show, meaning there could be a small amount of one added color besides the black, white and gray scale.

I decided to do a pair of paintings representing a set of angel wings, and went to work praying and painting with my palette knife, not sure exactly where God would lead me. As the wings formed, it seemed to me that they also began to look like mountainous terrain with steppes and that there were some beings descending those steppes. As a matter of fact, they seemed to be all over the place!

When I began to add a wash of transparent yellow to emphasize the robed figures I was seeing, the scenes felt more and more holy to me. It seemed obvious that they represented angels, even though there was not one wing to be found aside from the background image... and I never heard of angels with hoods! ... but it wasn't at all creepy. It actually felt sacred.

So, I kept on praying and painting and watching these surreal images form under my knife and brush. There are many more that could have been 'highlighted' with the yellow, but for the composition of the pieces, the ones that are visible feel like enough. If you take a close look, I'm sure you'll find more! I've titled this pair of paintings Seraphic Convergence I and II, A Gathering of Angels. I hope you enjoy them.

Heaven Among Us

2011-04-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

On First Friday, May 6th, my One Person Show entitled "Heaven Among Us" will open at Olde Towne Art, 525 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. The paintings shown will include my angel and cemetery monuments (more than seen here) as well as inspired art with spiritual symbolism and themes from my walk with Jesus Christ. There will be paintings, prints and cards available with a wide range of prices, so there will be something for everybody!

It's free and open to the public, no invitation required. We will offer refreshments and delightful music. There will be "special show pricing" of my original paintings for that one night only, and all of the artwork will remain on display throughout the month of May.

The Opening Reception will be Friday evening from 5-8 pm. Our gallery hours are noon till 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday; 2-6 pm on Sunday, and we are closed on Monday.

I'm one of 25 very talented artists at Olde Towne Art, which was voted the Best Art Gallery in Portsmouth in 2010, as well as the Best of the Best Art Gallery in all of Hampton Roads in 2010. There will be an announcement soon regarding a special award we've received for 2011, as well.

I hope to see you there, either at the Opening, or when you can drop by during the month of May. Please feel free to invite your family and friends.

Come Away

2011-02-28T19:17:00.000-08:00

Come Away

Original SOLD

Framed canvas giclees

20" x 28"

$300 each plus S&H

Smaller Prints are available

This graceful angel monument was originally painted in the blues you see here. When she went to the printer I took the suggestion of an artist at the studio and had her done in other colors as well. We looked through various shades in the complimentary range and came up with these scorching hot sepia tones, but he gets all the credit for the way the black and white turned out. He chose to remove all the grays from the background and leave her standing starkly against pitch black, which turned out to be a pretty dramatic look.

When they were first shown, all three were hung together, side by side, with the blue in the center. The blue giclee has a black frame; the sepia has a mahogany frame; and the black and white has a white frame; and all are 1" contemporary frames. The size of the frames is approximately the same as the gray border on the images here. The giclees are available singly or as a set.

Heavenly Playmates

2011-02-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Heavenly Playmates - Daniela

6" x 6" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Heavenly Playmates - Toby

6" x 6" acrylic on canvas

$75

Heavenly Playmates - Gideon

6" x 6" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

These small cherubs were all painted during our 10-10-10 Event in October of 2010. I intended for them to be sold as a set, and they can still be purchased together as prints, but Toby is the only original left for sale. The tones of his patina are so green that I call him my little Shrek baby. :-)

When I find cherubs in cemeteries, I often wonder if the artist was commissioned to sculpt a likeness of the child who is buried there as an angel. In my imagination I like to think that the Lord sends down a friendly spirit to bring a child who leaves this earth to be with Him in heaven, so cherubs like these have a special place in my heart. But whether children are escorted by angels who look like other children or whether they are solid, reassuring grown ups or whether Jesus Himself appears and takes them in His loving arms, who knows? For me, there's room enough in the mystery for any and all answers, as long as the 'end' is with God.

Tender Consolation

2011-01-20T03:53:00.000-08:00

Tender Consolation

24" x 36" acrylic on canvas, unframed

SOLD

There are so many angel cemetery monuments in Richmond, VA that it's hard to see them all. A visit to the Hollywood cemetery there is quite a visual feast, but if you go, take your hiking shoes! This lovely cemetery is located on very steep hills and the road winds among them. So far, I have a couple hundred photos from there, of adult angels, cherubs, and human figures. The kneeling angel depicted here was photographed mainly for the cascading flowers in her arms, that extend from her chest to the ground. I guess they will have to be the focus of another painting, because as this one took shape, they became unnecessary to the composition. The focus is on the color contrast and her gentle face. Hope you enjoy her and the peace she exudes.

Himba Angel Boy

2011-01-15T19:20:00.000-08:00

Himba Angel Boy

12" x 12" acrylic on canvas

SOLD

Available as prints.

I love the Himba people. I saw this boy in a documentary and he reached out and grabbed my heart, which he will never know in his lifetime. He was undergoing the childhood circumcision ceremony, so that just past toddlerhood he was being considered a man by his people. He was coated in the red mud they use to protect and adorn their skin, and he had simple beads around his neck and a leather thong at his waist. He was simply - angelic.

O little Child of God in a farflung place

You wear the dust of the earth and living water on your face.

Simple, simple are the steps you take

Bounded by ritual in the life journey you will make.

Simple is your trusting heart, and boundless in its security,

So open to the Universe that Forever has become your surety.

No mere clay beads, these strings of heavenly deeds ~ shimmer ~

As God-bequeathed metals adorning your neck, a coming King,

A Prince you've become, in Royal Regalia watching over your people

In a domain filled with cattle and no need of a steeple.

All hail the far-seeing vision of the dark-eyed boy

Whose Master brings contentment, Whose Spirit imparts joy.

Heavenly Hues (Female and Male)

2011-01-13T07:43:00.000-08:00

In October of 2010 we had our first huge event at Olde Towne Art, called 10-10-10. Ten of the local painters spent ten days in the gallery area at the front windows creating ten brand new paintings... each. Day or night, there were artists there painting as people walked by on the sidewalk or stood and watched. It was a monumental task but we all finished! And along the way we had so many laughs and learned so much about each other; and some of us have admitted it changed our focus on our own gifts, styles, goals, etc.

We each approached this event differently; some by sketching each proposed painting, others by using photographic references; some even timed themselves on preliminary works. We were excited and nervous, both.

One of the ways that I prepared was to create the first painting shown on this blog, "All Better Now". Intending to paint mostly angel pieces, and knowing that the ones I do are highly detailed, I wasn't sure I would have enough time to complete the ones I'd chosen to do and I had been getting really nervous. Finishing All Better Now successfully and rather quickly, I was calmer facing what could have been a daunting and highly stressful event. :-)

The other piece I did right before this event (10-10-10) was the first of the two pieces shown here.

Heavenly Hues, Female Angel Statue

24" x 30" acrylic on canvas, unframed

canvas edges painted golden yellow

$500, or $900 for the pair

I had a black and white photograph of this stunning Italian angel face, and I could have made her in shades of gray with some hints of color, as I've done in some of the other angel paintings... but she just cried out to me for color! It was such a joy to work very vivid colors into the lights, shadows and shapes of this sculpture. In the photo, the tear stain is actually a watermark from her being exposed to the elements of weather, and the black on the real statue is not very becoming. But working the effect into the sadness expressed on her face intrigued me.

After the painting was finished, several people thought that "she" was a "he". I know it's a very strong, classical face, but her jaw line is so soft that I was surprised that her femininity was not more obvious to others who saw her, as it seemed to me! I decided right then and there to make a companion piece that was so obviously male that in comparison she would be seen for her intended gender. The piece below came only from my imagination and with God's help, not from any photographic reference, and was one of the ones I did during 10-10-10. I intentionally used the same components and colors with variations to bring him to life. His gender markers are a total exaggeration, but that was on purpose.... I hope you enjoy them both, but almost everybody who's seen them has a favorite. And that's ok, too!

Heavenly Hues, Male Angel Statue

24" x 30" acrylic on canvas, unframed

canvas edges painted golden yellow

$500, or $900 for the pair

If you like my blog

2011-01-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

I'm such a newby! I just found my dashboard and it helped me to understand a little about being a "follower" of a blog. If you read one or more of my posts and like it (or them), please choose to become a follower of my postings. The box on the right under the picture of my amazing granddaughter and me is where you click to begin to "follow" my blog, and the new postings will show up on your dashboard. Pretty cool. And I want to see what you're posting, too, so if you have a blog, let me know, ok?

I am thinking I can also post my new stuff to my Facebook page, but I'm getting ahead of myself.... We'll see if I can figure that one out, too! :-)

A Local Angel

2011-01-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

Arise

20" x 30" acrylic on canvas, framed

SOLD

Available as prints and note cards.

This majestic angel statue stands in a cemetery in Virginia Beach, VA. Although the original is missing the finger which points skyward, and her white marble is untouched by the green patina which I added here, this is pretty much how she looks today. I love the serenity which seems to have been sculpted by the old master artisans and is so rarely found in new cemetery monuments. When I was in the process of painting her and thinking what to call her, only that one word, "Arise" seemed to fit what she would speak, if she could.

The original was sold to a dear friend and collector of my artwork. High quality giclees on canvas or paper are available by order. Please contact me if you are interested.

Bronze Angel

2011-01-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

Bronze Angel

24" x 30" acrylic on canvas, unframed

$850 plus tax, S&H

Also available as prints and note cards.

This gorgeous bronze angel monument is from a cemetery in Norfolk, VA. I must have over 30 photographs of her and will probably do more paintings of her at a later date. She is seated high up on a pedestal; her long Italian looking feet show beneath the hem of her robe. In her lap is a scroll which unrolls all the way down to her feet.

Perhaps you will know what I mean when I say she "has presence". Everything about her is stately and strong, from her facial expression to her physical form. I couldn't resist the challenge of bringing her to life in all her glorious color. She seemed timeless when I was taking pictures of her. Yet the metal is damaged by hard seasons of weather, pitted and eroded even. The years have put more than a lovely patina on the surface of this angel. Still, as a symbol of an eternal, created being, she speaks to me. What she represents is outside of time, and yet engaged with those of us still held here inside of time.

I'm not posting the angel paintings that I've done in chronological order. Hey, I'm an artist! I hope the juxtapostion of sizes, colors and compositions will be more interesting than a simple order of their creation would be. :-)

Feel free to let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

Trying Again...

2011-01-05T05:24:00.000-08:00

I'm just a newby at all this, and will figure it out along the way, I'm sure. My first two postings had my painting images in the wrong place, so some of the information and one of the pictures got lost. Ho hum.

This morning I am going to repost the images and their information and prices, and hope you will stay 'tuned' for my next efforts.... they can only improve, right?

Double the Sorrows

24"x36" acrylic on canvas with ornate frame

$1,500 plus tax, S&H

She was inspired by antique photos given to me by a friend, of an angel monument from the Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah, GA. The aged patina and darkening stains intrigued me, as well as her deep and evident grief, as she stands over the graves of two small children. Her face was almost totally blackened, however, and I used artistic license to recreate her features. There were other things I changed as well. After she was completed, I found her online, and the statue has been cleaned since the picture referfences I have. In those, she is as white as a bar of Ivory soap, and not nearly as interesting.

All Better Now

20"x16" acrylic on canvas, unframed

$300 plus tax, S&H

This little guy stands over a child's grave at the Hollywood cemetery in Richmond, VA. He seems to be ready to escort the little one to heaven.

Cherubs and Hope ... 002

2011-01-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

All Better Now

So, what helps when we are grieving? Do funerals help people get through the loss of a loved one? Does solitude; or wakes full of stories of the loved one's foibles and antics? Does time really heal?

I've known people who get memorial tattoos which are basically portraits they carry lifelong on their bodies. Some monied people start foundations or build libraries titled with the name of that person who died.

Most of us carry on with a limp and a heavy heart, going through our days sometimes well and sometimes ... not. The weight of the loss does change over time, but does that simply mean our thoughts become distracted by all the obligations that fill our days? Does time really heal?

Ministers at graveside services often still use the old timeworn words, "in the hope of a sure and certain resurrection," and this is meaningful to me. One of the reasons that I scour cemeteries for angel monuments and paint them is this. They are a reminder of the hope of the resurrection. So that in loss, when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable, we can look up to heaven and smile; gaze on a cemetery angel or a painting of one, and smile. Knowing that our loved one has passed from our sight, but that we will be reunited one day.

I'm guessing that when a child dies, this is the hardest time to carry the weight of grief. I am thankful that is not a grief I have known, but my heart goes out to those who have. This cherub is one of several I have painted so far, and I changed his expression to more clearly express what I feel his message is as he stands over the grave of a child. It seems he is issuing an invitation to come to heaven with him, cherub to child, like sized angel to like sized human. He seems a well chosen guide for a small person's journey to the Father.

The Beginning ...001

2011-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

So, I'm going to begin to share my angel paintings with you. It will be interesting to find out just who "you" are. I hope you will send me posts, share your links, and give me feedback.

It will also be interesting to see how many times I have to do this before I can get it to work. I've already composed this twice, and set my picture on a 'gadget' without knowing if it will really attach to this page when it's posted. Please be patient with me, because once I get it, my blog will be prolific!