A Latvian Angel

To create a Latvian angel, I decided on the following aspects:

a) It would be more male looking.

I found this photo and I thought he looked angelic:

I also searched for Art Nouveau males and this were two of the results:

I really loved the simplicity of the first profile and the hair of the second.

b) It would be wearing a traditional outfit.

For this I searched for traditional outfits and soon I discovered the work of a Latvian artist called: Ģirts Vilks.

c) It would have an oak crown, staff? and accents.

Men wear oak crowns and carry branches with their outfits as it represents strength.

I really loved the oak idea and on my walks I photographed oak trees, and picked up a leaf, a piece of bark and acorns. Sadly, it was not the right season for the acorns as they were dry… so I searched for a good reference to draw them well. These are some of my photos:

Once I had the drawing I liked, I traced it and then added graphite (meaning I go over it with a pencil in the back of the tracing paper). Then, I trace it onto the watercolor paper. To me, this is the cleanest way to transfer an image. Using carbon copy leaves way to much residue. (For my taste!)

d) It would have a touch of the geometric abstraction of the Latvian Artist Aleksandra Belcova :

and 5) I would add these incredible wings I saw in a Louis Tiffany lamp at the Palmer hotel in Chicago:

Deciding on what color went where took some guts… the blue was probably my boldest decision and the scariest because if it did not work it would ruin the whole thing…

Oh by the way the church on the top right is the St. Jacob Catholic Cathedral of Riga:

And talking about holy spaces, I painted all day yesterday and went on a long walk that took me through streets I had never walked to before and incredibly I saw… a Latvian church!!!

How perfect is that?!!! It is the first and the only time I have ever seen anything Latvian in Boston! This is when one feels that everything one does is truly connected to everything else… there was even a swing in the grounds and I celebrated this beautiful blessed moment in it! ^ ^

Yesterday, I also changed my tablecloth… and realized it was full of oak leaves. It is the oldest one I own from around 27 years ago!

And that is my Latvian angel completed… notice I gave it some gloves! The red looks a bit dark in the photo but it is that burgundy red in the Latvian flag.

So grateful for all the joy and wonder this angel brought to my life! And with it I say goodby to Latvia. Many blessings beautiful Latvia and Latvians! May you have peace and much prosperity!