A number of months ago I found myself sketching an angel, but not just any angel. I had drawn a stone cemetery angel. Not too much later, I drew another, below.
I have always been fascinated by the amazing angels that one finds in cemeteries. To me, they’re just beautiful and are so expressive. Sometimes holding the child who’s buried below their feet, sometimes quietly sad, and sometimes they are weeping in unutterable grief.
These angels are found all over the world, but, in my research, I find the greater majority seem to be in western Europe. When I worked in publishing some time ago, we put out a magazine called Camera Arts. They did an extensive, full color photo essay on angels in graveyards and cemeteries, many in Italy, and the extent to which these statues were carved and detailed was mind blowing.
As my life has been undergoing many changes, I want to return to drawing. For me, the best way to do that is just draw something – anything – I’m interested in; if these magnificent stone angels are calling to me, then I should draw them. As I posted the drawings on Instagram, I found people with a similar interest who also provide a rich resource of subject material. There I even found a cemetery angel who did not have wings (above.)
As I looked further, I found that angels might even be animals, like this heartbroken lion in California. And so I draw, “keeping my hand in”, as they say, re-familiarizing myself with that part of me that didn’t have much reason to express itself. And now it does. I don’t know where any of this will take me; I’m simply grateful to be finding myself again.
Still A Dreamer 
I really like your drawings, and look forward to them, thanks~!
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Thank you so much! I will certainly be sharing as I do more!
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Oh, Jeanne, these are just glorious illustrations! I’ve had a lifelong love affair with angels, in all their guises, gifts, symbolic meanings, and mysterious presentations.
I love how you’re following your instincts and responding so openly to the heartfelt inclinations beckoning your gifts during this time of transformation. Joy to you and in all you discover!
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Oh, my goodness! Thank you, Kitty. I have always been one who has felt comfortable in graveyards/cemeteries, for whatever reason. I’ve seen all kinds of gravestones and markers, but never these stone angels in person. If interested, on IG, go visit one of my (now) friends in the UK @stoneangelsbrompton – he take magnificent photos of angels in cemeteries, and has provided me with inspiration.
And thank you for your kind support. About 3/4 done something now, but I suspect you’ll see it first on IG as I’ll show it in stages. A bit more intense than what you see here. Mwah!! 🙂
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So proud of you and soooo happy to call you my sister Inlaw You are amazing what a talent….. Love you Aida 😍🌹🌷🌈
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Awwwww ….. thanks, Aida. And I’m very happy to call you my sister-in-law, too!!! 😘❤️🦋 Love, Jeanne
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Stunning drawings!
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Merci!! 🙂
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Wonderful drawings Jeanne.
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Thanks, Andrea. I just finished a gargoyle – it’s on Instagram, where I have found much inspiration for both my visual and writing brain. If you’re on IG, I’m @jeannebalsam. Let me know if you are, too.
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