THE TALE OF THE ANGELS

          

This image kind of has a life of its own.  The original is the framed one, which is an etched print I had made for a printmaking class in college in winter/spring 2001.  At the time, I had these angel themed songs going through my head, ‘If God Will Send His Angels’ was a big one, but I was also hearing Robbie Williams’ ‘Angel’ (don’t judge).  This image formed in my mind and when we had an assignment to do two metal plate etchings-one just with tools, one with an acid and a medium to impede it- I decided that this was the chance  to finally make that piece.  For me it turned out, well, alright.  Its not fantastic but its ok.  The feeling is definitely there.  

Now normally with me that would be it.  I got the piece done (wether it be artwork, writing, what have you) and when I’ve gotten it out of me and out in the world (so to speak) then its done and I’m not thinking about it, or trying to figure out how to change it, etc.  I kept thinking about this one.  I would practice drawing the figures over and over in sketchbooks.  

So three years pass and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb comes out and they announce the dates for the Vertigo tour.  For once I have some money saved because I’m working at a job that actually paid me more than minimum wage (sadly, it was temporary, but it was one of the best I had.).  I knew I could afford to see them more than once.  I really wanted to make something to give to them in the off chance I would be able to meet one of them outside of the venue.  When I tried to figure out what I wanted to make, this image came to mind yet again, because really, it spoke perfectly how their music has affected me.  

So I started working on a new version.  Its black Canton drawing paper and white Prismacolor pencil (which are an oil based artists colored pencil.  They are fantastic, a little pricey but fantastic.).  I worked on it for months just trying to get it to look perfect, and hoping to give it to one of them at the concert I was going to see that May in 2005 (May 14 in Philadelphia).  My close friend from college Ana was coming down to go with me to the show.  We had seats instead of GA so I thought maybe we’d have a chance?  Yeah, it wasn’t to be, but the show was great, as was the Vertigo Tour, in my humble opinion.  We also had a great time. ‘Yahweh’ and ’40’ live are something special, let me tell you.  

Anyway (boy I use that word a lot) the picture was still in my possession.  It actually lived in my car, hidden behind my front seat where the sun couldn’t fade it, for months.  Then the news came that the boys were coming around again to Philly in the fall, so I got another ticket.  This time it was GA (general admission).  This was the first time I was ever going to a concert by myself, and yeah, I was a little nervous about that.  One downside was that I had to work and then church beforehand so there was no getting in line early, an upside was that I had made some friends in the Zoo (Zootopia fan community part of u2.com.   Other than the ones that I’ve received permission from, I’m only going to refer to them by their usernames.).  One in particular Sectionbgirl97 (or SBG) and I started talking to each other before the show a bit and she said she would save me a spot in line since she was going by herself as well.  There was also Teresa (Miss Recee) and ServoU2 and one of the sweetest people ever, the late Noreen that I met up with when I got there and I brought provisions to.  I figured if I couldn’t get there when the 4 of them did, the least I could do was bring drinks and snacks.  I’m still good friends and in contact with Recee.  

I explain all of this because it goes along with the rest of the story about the picture.  Sectionbgirl and I stuck together, because she was the one with the number for our place in line, and she said she knew where to go to see if the band had gotten to the venue yet.  I thought that was cool so we went.  While we were standing over there she saw another friend she had and her father (unfortunately I don’t remember what her name was, but this was 11 years ago.).  I wound up seeing Joe O’Herlihy drive past and I fangirled a little (because I guess I’m that kind of a fan.  But hey, he’s been their sound guy FOREVER so I was just like IT’S JOE!).  

That’s not where the night got weird though.  And when I say weird, I mean “Did I just step into the twilight zone?” type of weird, because really, things like this don’t usually happen to me.  See, SBG got her name because that was where she was sitting when she got pulled up on stage to dance with Bono when she was at a U2 show.  She’s been to a number of shows and has actually met Bono’s minder during the show and the tour’s usual head carpenter, not to mention the Bono’s cousin, AJ Rankin. Now, I don’t know if he actually remembered her when she walked up to him or if he was just being nice, but he did stop to talk to her.  Then she called both her other friend and the girl’s father as well as me over.  Yup, my anxiety kicked in because I gave a polite hello but I couldn’t talk after that, I just kind of awkwardly stood there with my matted picture in my hand (I didn’t have it framed, but I did have it matted.) SBG’s other friend, bless her, didn’t have my social issues and was much more talkative.  She had an envelope she wanted to give to Bono with info about money a group she was involved with had raised for an African charity. 

 This is where I have to really talk about how wonderful and kind Mr. AJ Rankin is.  When she asked if he could take it back for her, he was a little iffy about it, and he said that she wouldn’t get it back.  She said it was ok, she didn’t want it back.  He’d said something to the effect of that he really shouldn’t, but it was only something small so he would do it.  He then looked over at the silent one of the group (aka me) and saw the picture in my hand.  The following interaction went something like this.

AJ: “That’s beautiful.”

Me:(sounding like a dork) “Thanks, I made it for the band.”

SBG’s friend: “She doesn’t want it back either!”

At that moment I was like ‘OMG what is happening, because I’m actually shaking as I hand it over to him because he said he’d take it back with him too. There was a note attached to the picture, but I never put any email or contact info on it (maybe not the smartest idea, but its not like I’d actually hear back from them anyway if they saw it).  I feel indebted to him now.  

So that’s the story of the angel.  I haven’t tried to go back to the image again.  I don’t know if I’m done with it or not.  Time will tell I guess.  There are always images I go back to that I tinker with, I guess this is one of them.  The meaning behind it is definitely one of the reasons why.