Angels and Souls
Art is an expression… a manifestation of my soul.
It is a direct representation of my thoughts, my fears, my dreams, and even a reflection of my very existence. So it stands to reason that elements of my faith and spirituality would find its way onto canvas. That those questions of my own being and why I am who I am would be visually represented. One day while my students were taking an exam, I began to use a ballpoint pen on a scrap piece of paper…within the next twenty minutes, through sporadic proctoring of their video production exam, the Angel came to be.
As I looked at that sketch over the next few months, I began to develop a narrative. Something like this. Angels are the caretakers of human souls before they are sent to Earth to come into existence. It is the Angel’s close care and nurturing that allows us to be born under the Creator’s grace. But as you will find through the paintings and their narratives even the most celestial, heavenly being struggle with their own thoughts and existence. Most of these struggles I have within myself. I believe that many people, maybe even you reading this now, have struggled or continue to struggle with some of the metaphors or concepts within the series. Perhaps you can relate to the struggles such as self-loathing and dwelling on one’s past mistakes, as seen and read in “Devourer”, or perhaps the struggle of routine and duty showcased in “Containment”. Maybe you enjoy the youthful reflection of “Immersion” or playfulness of “Circumvent”. Whatever it may be I hope you are able to reflect and relate in some manner.
The materials are acrylic on hand textured canvas. I enjoy the speed of acrylic, I can manipulate the paint quickly as I place the brushstrokes, evaluate and then continue to work on or rework immediately. I chose large and small scales to showcase the different works as I love the intimacy of a small work but very much enjoy the grand scale of a four feet by five feet canvas. I chose a high contrast limited palette as it emits a strong emotion related to that color, whether warmth of a red or the sadness of a soft blue, or even the nobleness of a purple showcasing duty and honor.
I hope that you enjoy as it is my pleasure to present to you, “Angels and Souls”.
Transference
The unique souls: the creators, artists, musicians, authors, poets, and so many more. The ones whose passions give meaning to their very existence have to be born of it. After centuries, the caretakers learned the only way to be born with passion is to be infused with it. The only way to be infused with it is to have a moment of passion fuse the energy into the soul. A kiss, there found…was perfect. And so it was that creative souls from then on would be infused with passion and be born unique.
Ascension
The wings. It has always been about the wings. She had dreamed of being a caretaker her entire existence, it’s all she has ever known. They say she is to be a caregiver, a nurturer, one who ensures the souls receive what they need while they grow. But for her it was always about the wings, or ascension as it was formerly known. Once they’re given roles then they are given their rings…if worthy.
Her role rewards her as she is given her wings and is no longer considered an adolescent. She has been waiting thousands of years to be an “Ascended”. Now her wait is over.
Immersion
There is so much joy being in their presence. They just naturally exude happiness and playfulness. To feel their warmth and glow on your skin is contagious. One must be careful with them as they are so delicate and of such importance, yet one cannot help but take time to just enjoy their innocence.
It is the most pure form of joy.
Complete emersion in forgetting oneself and finding peace with creation.
Envelope
It is unlike anything. The feeling of being surrounded and enveloped by life is so unique, so powerful, and so beautiful. A baby’s laugh, a broken heart, a trickling tear, a lover’s kiss. Even these cannot compare to being enveloped in the creation of a soul filled with millions of future possibilities.
The warmth of the souls infiltrates your own being and envelopes you in their gloriousness. The written word fails to capture the moments essence.
Exception
The souls called out to her, and she responded. By the standards of time she is juvenile. Taking the soul to a place of tranquility, a place they were not supposed to go. For the early actualization of a soul’s composition is to be trusted with only the eldest of beings. The soul called to her and she responded.
She knows she can do it, she knows that she shouldn’t. Her desire to see the fruition of the element within drives her to bring the soul to this location. Her intrinsic desires outweigh her sense of duty and she peers deep into the souls core being. As she extends her finger toward the glowing orb, it begins to spread its energy. A moment of hesitation, for this decision has eternal fallen consequences. The concept and contemplation of creation makes her feel as though…no…makes her know she can do it. She knows that she shouldn’t
Circumvent
There is always one, one that just can’t seem to stay. A gypsy, a wanderer, a nomad, or even sometimes called a drifter. These souls from the moment of creation don’t posses the ability to be contained or held. They constantly travel and roam free to engulf themselves in the throngs of life’s experiences via numerous locations and perspectives.
But as always, during the development stages of one’s existence, a gentle hand reaches out to restrain them, to pull them back to the safety of the caregiver. To the security of being kept. As we all know, it isn’t long before the unique and mischievous soul will circumvent their caretaker and wander to a new adventure. For it is the carefree spirit that discovers much and experiences even more.
Inspection
Each and every soul is infused with elements from the very moment of creation. Each one is meticulously examined. Though all souls have flaws, and each is unique, they all share similarities. The examination is more about ensuring that the similarities are present rather than the elements that make them all stand apart from one another. Attributes of love, emotion, consciousness and nature are all closely inspected to ensure they are present before being sent off for distribution. Unity is desired with all of the souls, and even though once they are brought into existence, the elements within can change and alter; each is given the chance to be born with the lasting qualities. Thus being given the opportunity to be part of the collective whole.
Each soul’s inspection is driven with the hope that the greatest creation has the greatest opportunity to express joy to the creator. Even though the first faltered, and the following were doomed, the beginning stays the same. Inspected for perfection while being created with imperfections.
Distribution
They are so delicate, so special, and unique. She must use only the slightest breath to push them to their destination. Her hands must cradle them so gently as to not scar them before their journey even begins. Her heart melts every time one of them is blown astray. That’s why she must make certain to set them on their proper course.
Her breath is like a kiss, a kiss that lets you know you are on your way to greatness, to expression, to life.
Leaving the safety of her hands is like a knife cutting your connection. Cutting you connection from protection, reassurance and stability.
All souls must start their journey, and start it they do, by being moved from the soft touch of her breath. Pushing them from the safety of her protection in the glorious unknown of existence.
Containment
It has been his duty for thousands of years, to contain this unstable soul. His muscles bulge from centuries of constant strain and torture. They scream for relief, but as it has been since the beginning of the souls creation, there is no relief for them. Not until his duty is done. His eyes, blind from being fixated on the souls intense and powerful emission seem to have dried and withered away into nothing but dark pits. This soul is a powerful soul, one of greatness…of unknown and untapped potential. But the fear of the dark or the life it could have, the unknowing, is why it is contained. To let it live could be great, but could also be horrible. So his instructions are to contain. To hold. To keep.
What if the souls was to be great, to be exceptional…perhaps he, the container should loosen his grasp. Let the light emit more and allow the soul to grow. Perhaps it can release him from his torture and position. Perhaps he may see again. But as he thinks to lighten his burden, to loosen his fingers, his own soul lurches inside of him.
He must not betray his creator, he must not fail in his assigned duty…for if the soul is to be horrible then it would be an even heavier burden to bear and even more difficult a thing to contain. He must hold fast and strain his body even more. No hope for sight returned or a breath of relaxation. He must contain this soul with unwavering resolve.
Unknown to the container the soul within his grasp feels hope, for thousands of years the soul has fought his captor and for the first time in many a millennium it has won victory. The container is wavering, showing fatigue. It may take many more centuries but the soul has won. For it will have its freedom, it is only a matter of time.
Devourer
He was once one of them. But then fell. He was drawn to them but unlike the others, he wanted to know what made the souls special. Why Father favored them over him and his siblings? Why did they inherit the great creation? After keeping this questioning inside of him for a millennium, his spirit broke. He cornered a weaker soul and with his eyes wide, consumed the not yet being. The consumption of the soul burned inside of him. He could feel his celestial existence shatter, tears streamed down his face for he instantly knew that he had wronged his father. It was in that moment he knew that he had made a grave mistake.
Father came to him, and he wept before him.
Even this could not change what he had done. He could feel his spirit weakening; he hungered insatiably for more, yearning to consume another. He escaped his father’s presence and fled to a realm unknown, exiling himself from his father’s heavens. Tears streamed down his once angelic face as he realized that to continue to exist he must feed, he must consume the souls, he must devour them.
Each time he takes a soul it is a reminder of his great failing, every time he devours them he feels father’s great sorrow. But he cant stop himself, he cant control the urge, for the urge to exist is strong. Self-loathing and hatred, despise and anger…they consume the once great angel…but no more is he one of them. He fell…he is the devourer of souls.
Angel
They were created first, but not created in perfection. There too are flawed, similar to the creations they are charged with. They are celestial beings of pure beauty, a physical beauty unmatched by any living thing. But also the ability to be frightening and unique beyond anything imaginable. They are the creators hands, his mouth, and his eyes.
Even though the souls are incubating and have no true memory of their caretakers, the influence imbedded in them resonates even after they are brought to existence. So impactful is their guarding that the souls created a name for them.
They call them Angels.
Sketches and Drawing
