It started with this brick.
My mission was to paint an angel on the brick to be added to the legacy walkway at the Forest of Dreams. Knowing that I sometimes see angels in wood, trees, and clouds, I peered at the brick for angel signs. Over the next hour, all kinds of things emerged in the brick. I penciled in the wings of the head angel and started a sketch of what I saw. It was an emotional experience bordering on mania. I have a reputation for calmness, so my mania could be another person’s normal. Who knows? But when I get in a drawing or painting zone, it feels kinda manic to me. I often talk to myself in this zone. When I was almost finished with the sketch, I started crying. I’m not entirely sure why, but it has to do with beginning to understand what was happening, even though I’m not sure what was happening.Β But I can tell you that working on this project definitely had a supernatural feel to it.
When I do this kind of work, it doesn’t matter that the house needs painting, or that I “need” a new kitchen floor, or that my house is cluttered, or that parts of the bathroom floor feel slightly soft when I step on them. When I am lost in this process of discovery with art, it doesn’t matter that gravity is slowly drawing my body parts closer to the earth and that my thighs are lumpy. When I’m in the zone, none of this matters. As long as I can keep my vision and hold a pencil or a paintbrush for another 20 or 30 years, I’m happy.
The image in the brick was too complicated for the purpose of the legacy walkway, so once I got the sketch done, I painted this angel on the brick.
A few weeks later, motivated by the local Silver Arts competition (part of Senior Games – omg that must mean I’m a senior), I started the painting. It’s not unusual for me to feel tired after a couple of hours in the zone. While painting the images from the brick, I felt more than tired. I had a lot of trouble with the faces, but I kept at it. Waves of exhaustion and subtle nausea passed through me. Maybe it was just low blood sugar. The first time I noticed this, I grabbed a snack, drank some water and kept painting. A little while later, even drinking water and listening to James Taylor didn’t help anymore, so I stopped for the day. The next day, the painting started to come together, and I was on top of the world. Good to remember how those feelings can change.
Β I wonder about the energy of the creative process. Have other artists experienced unusual exhaustion or surprising emotion while or after doing creative work?
Of course, the finished painting wasn’t exactly like the sketch. It took on a life of it’s own.

“Welcome Home” by JoAnna of the Forest/JoAnne Macco
I am so thankful God, the universe, and my husband have made it possible for me to stay home to re-discover my creative soul, work on the passions of my heart, and look for signs of angels.
May 25, 2017 at 9:19 am
OMG! What an experience!! Utterly fascinating!! πππ. And the angel at the end is gorgeous! ππ
May 25, 2017 at 10:00 am
Thank you, Trini. It really was a fascinating experience! β€
May 25, 2017 at 9:21 am
This is lovely. EVERYTHING about this post is absolutely lovely. The process, the experience, the art, the journey. Beautiful.
May 25, 2017 at 10:13 am
Thank you! I appreciate your support and enthusiasm very much. It was a lovely and exciting experience. It felt strange to write about for some reason, but it was too powerful not to. It feels good to be understood.
May 25, 2017 at 9:22 am
Both of your paintings are lovely! I don’t paint, but I know that when I’m in the “zone” writing, everything else around me seems to disappear. I’ve described it as falling through the page and being on the other side. It’s a high for me. I don’t want to leave! I didn’t see the angel on the brick until I saw your painting. Then I could see it!
May 25, 2017 at 10:19 am
Falling through the page to the other side is a great description! I’ve felt that high, too and not wanting to leave. It’s less intense than the high I get while painting. When I’ve been concentrating on painting for a couple weeks, I miss the more comfortable writing high. Hmmm. Time to write! π I’m glad you could see the angel in the brick. Thanks for your perspective!
May 25, 2017 at 10:09 am
WOW. Just wow. I love the final painting, with the branches as wing support. Obviously when you get into the zone, you have good reason.
I love being in the zone, too. It’s not mania for me, either, but it does verge on obsession, like a high.
I did see the angel in the brick, yes’m.
May 25, 2017 at 10:22 am
On the verge of obsession. That’s it! I’m glad you could see the angel in the brick, so maybe I’m not crazy. π Thanks, Joey!
May 25, 2017 at 10:27 am
π
May 25, 2017 at 12:46 pm
JoAnna, this is a wonderful story, and the paintings are unbelievably beautiful! I could see the angel in the brick too, and where that took you, this is, is an exquisite place of creation. A little heaven in earth. Thanks so much for sharing. The whole thing makes me think of Liz Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love, realizing that “God lives in me, as me. “. Kudos. π
May 26, 2017 at 12:29 am
I’m so glad you could see her, too. And what a great memory from Liz Gilbert. Happy to remind us both! Thank you, Deborah.
May 25, 2017 at 12:59 pm
I can see the Angel in the original brick! You are an amazingly gifted painter!! Thank you for sharing your process.
May 26, 2017 at 12:25 am
Yay! I’m glad you can see the angel, too. Thank you for your support and affirmation.
May 25, 2017 at 3:20 pm
I am in awe!!! Very beautiful and inspiring β₯
May 26, 2017 at 12:35 am
Thank you, Sophie. β€
May 25, 2017 at 4:42 pm
JoAnna, my mouth is in the shape of ‘O’
so very glad that you did this! The idea of an angel on a brick – like an anchor or a solid foundation… (and your story leading up to your art on display in this post – the highlighted art).
I enjoy drawing in a similar manner to you, when I do….
Finding the shapes that make themselves, following the guidance. This is brilliant, and I think it’s my favorite of yours.
xo
May 25, 2017 at 11:07 pm
Thank you, Ka. Your affirmation means a lot to me. I feel like water that has been partially blocked for years is now being released to flow freely. Maybe I’ll write a poem about that! There will be more to come on this process!
May 26, 2017 at 12:06 am
Excellent!!! πππ½ππ»βπ½
May 25, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Beautiful story and paintings JoAnna! I saw an angel in the brick too! π You are definitely channeling from the Divine β€ xx
May 25, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Thank you, Sarah. π I appreciate that confirmation!
May 26, 2017 at 1:34 am
I had an angelic experience once that I don’t share (few know of it), it is hard to put to words. I know as you were sharing what that feeling is like. Beautiful the way God manifests Himself and angels presence in a brick. The painting is gorgeous. You are incredibly gifted, and praise God you use your gifted hands, mind, spirit to honor him. Also you time!! Incredible in every way!! Angels are rapturous! Love your work!! β€βπ
May 26, 2017 at 9:02 am
OH WOW JoAnna this is incredible.. Its a beautiful painting.. and to read how it was inspired.. Well.. all I can say is the Angels were working with you my friend.. And I so love the finished result..
And I know what you mean by being so absorbed while we paint.. Nothing else matters.. Its as if all else falls away..
You are a very gifted artist JoAnna..
I am delighted that you shared it with us.. and how it all came into BEing..
Love and Blessings and Big Hugs my friend..
Hugs Sue xxx β€
May 26, 2017 at 10:25 am
Lovely post and paintings Joanna! You are one talented and creative lady! I’m glad you wrote about this because I often get tired when writing and even when I paint furniture. I understand I might feel drained when writing but repurposing furniture is not spiritual – it’s often refreshing. But both are passions so maybe creativity is taxing to the mind in some way.
At any rate it’s something to think about and be mindful of. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad to know it’s not just me:)
May 26, 2017 at 11:03 am
It does take energy. Even when we enjoy it. Thanks for your support, Erika!
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