Continuing our interview series on artists that participated in what we call our Angels Among Us online art show. You showed such a great response to the project that we wanted to give you more insight on some of the artists that created the work:
Dave Weiss
Next up….Dave Weiss:
1. What inspired you to create the work that you did for Angels Among
Us?
I guess what inspired me most was first very simply that I was invited to participate. There’s a verse in the Bible that says you have not because you ask not. I know this verse pertains to God, but I also think that there are often times where we really want things done that people would be really willing to do if only they would know of the need and realize that their contribution is wanted and that their gift is acceptable. Secondly, I’ve been pretty convinced that most of art gets angels wrong. Everything from those gorgeous winged women that occupy the tops of our Christmas Trees to Raphael’s “chubby cherubs.” My concern is that if angels really looked like that would they have to start every sentence “with do not be afraid”? So I set into the scriptures to find descriptions.
2. What medium did you use?
This is a pretty straight up comic art piece. penciled in blue pencil, inked, scanned and painted in Photoshop. Prayer is a prerequisite to all my best pieces. The ones that fall flat are pretty much the ones that happen when I skip this step. Sometimes an image appears in my head, sometimes it’s more words or a scripture passage that comes to mind as in this case. I was reminded of the passage in Ezekiel that describes the beings around the Lord’s throne. I decided that this would be the perfect passage to explore and illustrate, especially because of my conviction about the awesome appearance of angels. If I saw this guy coming toward me I would have to be told repeatedly “do not be afraid.”
By Dave Weiss
4. How long did it take you to complete this piece?
All totaled probably four to five hours of actual work, plus reading and prayer.
5. Was the image influenced in any way by anything in your life?
Mainly just by the aforementioned desire to capture angels as described in the Bible.
6. What artist(s) inspires you?
I know this is going to sound like the Sunday School answer but first and foremost is Jesus, the creator of everything. I’m convinced He is the ultimate artist. After Him, it’s everybody from comic artists to the great masters. A piece of work that inspires me to get better will always get me, whether that’s a great piece in a great museum or a piece sprayed on a wall by a sidewalk Picasso. (I am not a proponent of Graffiti because of it’s destructive nature but I cannot help to be blown away by what some guys can do with a spray can in the dark.) Actually I guess you could say I am inspired by anyone who tells me a story with a brush, pen, etc.
Be sure to visit Dave’s website at www.amokarts.com.
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