We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angel Wagner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angel below.
Angel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
When I first went to college, I pursued a career as an artist. This was before social media. I was enrolled in a private art college but I struggled to find mentorship. Almost all my teachers were men. There was no education on the business of being an artist. I felt like I was spinning my wheels and not getting what I signed up for so I left school. I was still making art but pursuing other ways to make money. Eventually, my therapist kept saying I should be a therapist. I decided to go back to school and get a degree in counseling. My counseling work had me developing a creative curriculum which led me back to making art. When I returned to my painting mid-life I had so much to say, and I felt more settled and committed to the discipline. With social media and the internet the art world has become accessible, supportive and fun. I’m grateful every day that I decided to paint again, Art making is the greatest joy I’ve ever experienced.
Angel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an oil painter. I am a passionate portrait painter. I love painting people and I’m skilled at capturing the essence of someone. I love creating heirlooms for families that will last long after we are all gone. My painting style for portraits is somewhere between hyperrealism and realism. My artwork outside of commissioned portraits leans to surrealism.
Working as a woman’s counselor for 15 years has impacted my work greatly. The subject matter of my work revolves around what most women face in the modern world (which isn’t necessarily modern for us). I present these ideas using symbolism and surrealism so I have the biggest opportunity to be as free and open with what I express. This body of work is about empowerment, joy and healing.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When people connect to a painting and they have an emotional reaction to it and tell me their story. Art has a language all it’s own. The more vulnerable I am in my work the bigger reaction a painting gets. It is a magical feeling to connect to a stranger through my creativity. Honestly though, creating art is the most rewarding, scary and joyful thing I’ve ever done.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Sometimes I wish I had started painting again earlier in my life. On the other hand, looking back I can see every road I was on and how it got me here. And I see how all those roads informed my painting and my voice. Also, with social media and the internet the art world has become very accessible for artists and collectors. We still have the traditional galleries and gatekeepers but everyone can go find an artist they like on Instagram and support them by buying directly from the artist. Speaking of which, if you’re reading this I’d love to have your support: please follow me on Instagram @angelwagnerart and then go check out my website www.angelwagnerart.com. If you’re in Minneapolis please come see me in the Northrup King Building gallery #358!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelwagnerart.com
- Instagram: @angelwagnerart
