Heavenly Playmates - Aaron

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."



Awaiting Resurrection

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.

A Local Angel

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.