There Are Angels Among Us
“We live our short spans in the vortex of a miracle, and while we may not be the center of that vortex, it is magic to be anywhere in there.” —Robert Genn, Canadian artist
There are pivotal humans who have inspired me. Certainly my family and friends–but, also people I have never met. Robert Genn (author of the above quote) produced a bi-weekly newsletter for and about artists called ‘The Painter’s Keys’ that consistently infused me with the juice to continue in the vortex of art and ideas. In 2020 I began to paint portraits of some of those “Angels Among Us”:
“I think anything is possible if it’s done in the spirit of love and empathy.”—Jonathan Michael Batiste, a musician. During the difficulties of 2020’s Covid Pandemic he and his band, appropriately named ‘Stay Human’, gave impromptu street performances, always looking for ways to connect with people. For years his dexterity at the piano has filled me with awe and his cheerful countenance exudes a sweetness that is refreshing.
“I promise to use what brains I have to meet problems with intelligence and courage.” —Frances Perkins, United States Secretary of Labor. The first female to serve in a presidential cabinet and also the longest serving in the position of Labor Secretary. She was an American workers-rights advocate. Her work led to the Social Security Act of 1935, for which, I, as a senior citizen will always be grateful.
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” —Amanda Gorman, poet. This quote is from a poem she wrote titled, “The Hill We Climb” and delivered at the Presidential Inauguration in 2021. She was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. As I listened to her speak her words on that day in January, I was inspired to “see and be light” in the world.
I have other “Angels Among Us” that are waiting for the paintbrush finale and I will share as I go along. Why animals or parts of animals (wings) in the portraits? They have become, for me, symbols of fragile strength and beautiful diversity–reinforcing the qualities of those “Angels Among Us”. Besides, it says something about the character of a person when we are kind to animals–as we are to be kind to other humans.
“What Does A Line Inspire” Instructions
Supplies: 8 1/2 x 11 inch black cardstock, pastel, chalk, or prismacolor pencils, origami paper, tape, and glue.
1. Use the black cardstock as your base. Colors really “pop” on a black background. Cardstock is stiff enough to survive the art-making process and still be hangable on the refrigerator door.
2. Roll a piece of origami paper into a tube and tape it closed. If it is hard for some fingers to roll the paper, roll it around a pencil to help you get started. This tube of paper is the main “line” of your art.
3. Glue the tube of origami paper onto the black cardstock in the position you want it-straight, bent, or flattened. We just used simple Elmer’s glue. Glue sticks are not strong enough to hold the “line” to the cardstock.
4. Use pastel pencils, chalk, or prismacolor pencils to color in the rest of your design. (Markers will not show up on black very well.)
5. This project could be done on white paper with any art supplies you have on hand. The concept is to see how “line” is used in art and “What Does A Line Inspire?”
This was a demonstration I did of bending the “line”. Inspired me to use it as a nose in a face.
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