There is something innately mysterious and captivating about angels.
Angel art endeavors to reflect this mystery and allure on canvas. Perhaps in so doing, angel art can open a window or a door into the heaven worlds.
There seems to be a collective memory imprinted deep in the psyche as to the existence of angels and angelic beings. "Winged creatures", "Benevolent Spirits" and "Divine Helpers" for example, have been spoken of and written about in cultures, mythologies and religious traditions for thousands of years.
An angel by any other name is still an angel. (smile)
In the Christian tradition, angel art is commonplace. There are warrior angels, guardian angels, cherubim and seraphim and even Cupid, the love angel.
Much of what I would call "classical angel art" draws from stories found in the Old and New testaments.
In contemporary New Age art and in New Age spiritual traditions, angels are "beings of Light" who exist at frequencies beyond what the physical eye can see.
Angel art of the New Age variety often depicts these spirit beings as radiant balls of energy or as ethereal creatures soaring in the heavens. They can be male or female, and they fly free from mortal constraints.
It's interesting that the word "angel" is very much a part of the cultural lexicon. For some reason, however, women are referred to as angels more than men. "She's an angel" is said more often than "he's an angel." And in angel art, female angels are more common than male angels.
I think men are just getting a bad rap - lol!
There have also been several movies alluding to the existence of angels and the "after-life." One of my favorites is the movie "Heart and Souls" starring Robert Downey Jr.
While not specifically calling them angels, Robert Downey Jr. plays a character who as a child has "imaginary friends" that only he can see. These friends turn out to be people on the other side, or "spirits," who need his help before they can move on in the afterlife.
So... do angels, spirit guides and ethereal beings really exist?
Well, many of those who have had near-death encounters would say absolutely yes. And people who have gone through trying circumstances in their lives and emerged victorious often attribute their success to a guardian angel.
I'm not sure there's an answer that will satisfy every one. Even so, there's something about angels and the spirit world that resonates deep within the human soul and psyche. I think the best angel art touches that place... inspiring hope, possibilities and a feeling that we are not alone.