On Wings Like Eagles

When I started this blog early last year I had intended to update it regularly with many of the paintings and drawings I had started to create. However, as is usual other things in life seemed to divert my attention, but I promise to update far more regulary from now on. For those who like some background, I had spent the last 20 years working in a stressful professional environment as a graphic designer and internet administrator with a long and tiring commute in all weather on public transport. All my energy seemed to be spent focussing and then recovering from my daily grind and although I tried not to, health issues started to compromise my life and I came to a realisation that something had to give. At one point, I thought it was me...I had come to the end of my physical tether. I have always been a very independent woman brought up on the good old protestant work ethic, but after much soul searching I decided to quit my career, downsize and change my life. I am very fortunate to have a very supportive husband who for years could see my creative spark which for me had been lost through administrative tasks, reports, budgets, corporate graphics and deadlines. He encouraged me to take this sabbatical and re-ignite the spark!

On Wings Like Eagles © Angela Cutler

I didn't know at that point almost 2 years ago now, if I still could draw or paint or even if I have the creative vision or enthusiasm to do it having not done very much at all in the interim. And in actual fact, I found the 'idea' of starting quite daunting...what if I failed? There was only one thing to do and that was to try. I started out not even knowing what materials to use...paint and if so what type, pastels, pencil, large, small. I didn't know. So I just started off with what I had in the house - pencils, pastels and some craft paint. I started to find pleasure in the process without worrying about what the end result would be. I was encouraged to see some lovely abstract art works appear which I found very satisfying as I felt they were expressing a little bit of my private feelings. I will post some of these early faltering steps soon.

Eagle detail. © Angela Cutler

This particular drawing - On Wings Like Eagles - should really have been one of the first art works I should have posted here. I saw a news item where a graduate was creating a big reputation by drawing detailed pencil drawings of famous people. I was surprised to see the publicity over his work and that he was taken seriously. When I was at school/art college this type of drawing/art was looked down upon as 'not being art' and only draughtsmanship which didn't have much value - it wouldn't have been feasible for me to study Fine Art as it was not valued.

I knew I once upon a time could draw pretty well and if his art was being heralded, why shouldn't I value my skill? So I started to draw. On my journey between leaving my career, a verse from the Bible had always stood out for me and supported this difficult change. "Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint". And I knew it was this that I wanted to draw as my first foray in 20 plus years. I then combined my drawing with the pastel abstracts I had been developing. And for me, these art works are an outlet for how I feel and I hope you find them inspiring too.