Angel

oil on panel, 47″ x 21″, 2005

This painting came out of being invited to restore painted angels in St Vincent de Paul Church, South Boston (my involvement was thanks to my friend Gary Halzel of Liquid Disguise). I simply asked, how would I execute an angel myself, and I turned to my kids’ toys (I’d done many paintings based on seeing oneself in/relating to their toys as people). So I set up a Xena the Warrior Princess action figure and a plastic eagle toy behind her, and got to work.

As I was working on this panel, my friend Julie offered me a frame — from an antique map she had. Painting and frame seemed a perfect marriage and I completed the work in the frame. It was the first time I worked in the frame. I found the frame’s design and coloration and patina helped determine the final work.