Angel Wings Angel Wings in El Dorado The Angel Wings in El Dorado Project is a visual, street art painting, which has become part of a worldwide phenomenon called “Angel Wings.” The El Dorado Project has been sponsored by Murphy Pitard Jewelers and the Downtown Guest Quarters, and was created by artist Lara Mason, a former student of the University of Texas Fine Art Department. The The El Dorado Angel Wings have just been finished and it is a major, visual art addition to downtown El Dorado. The impressive 10 foot by 22 foot angel’s wingspread has been painted on the north side of the historic 1909 Wilson Building at 209 East Elm Street. Even before the project was finished the Angel Wings painting attracted the attention of several hundred people, who stood between the large unfinished wings, to have their photos taken. These photos, which seem to make the person have huge wings, have been very popular. Lara Mason has skillfully, and in great detail, given the wings such a realistic feathering that they looked as if they could fly away. Lara is a photo realism artist, which requires painstaking detail with every stroke of the brush. Her art work is as close to a photograph as possible, but the texture and detail she puts in her work, distinguishes it from a true photo, and gives depth and emotion a photograph could never capture. After working to make a large double-wing cutout that would outline the spread of the wings on the building’s brick wall, she spent days working on a 10 foot ladder as she detailed every feather with texture and color. Feathers, such as those painted on the Angels Wings Project, have had, over the centuries, a symbolic significance and can be seen in numerous cultures, usually referring to spiritual communication. It seems the feathers and wings combine to create a visual draw as people line up to have their picture taken, which makes them part of the art. Based on the reception from cultures around the globe, the worldwide Angel Wings Project has kindled deep human emotions that draw people to become part of the display. It is almost a supernatural draw, which compels people to stand in the spread of the wings to have their picture made, and then of course to share it with friends. However, the Angel Wings aren’t just an artist’s project to add a splash of color to a blank brick building’s wall. It seems, from the attention the worldwide Angle Wings Project has generated, as people are drawn to be part of the art, it creates other benefits everywhere an Angel Wing Project has been instigated. There is something about the Angel Wings, which causes people to want to be a part of the art by standing between the wings and have a photo made. Here in El Dorado we have already seen a flood of visitors stopping to take a picture with someone between the wings, and with the social media and internet, the pictures of the El Dorado site are going nationwide and probably worldwide. This artwork is part of a nationwide Main Street Organization goal to create more downtown ambiance in not only El Dorado’s downtown, but with art projects all across the country, which are being instigated to enhance downtowns. One of the additional benefits of this outstanding artwork is to attract visitors to downtown El Dorado, America’s award-winning downtown. The handcrafted Angel Wings over El Dorado is perfect for a souvenir picture to commemorate a visit, and by standing with the wings the person becomes a part of the art work. It is expected that over the next few months several thousand photos will capture the dramatic set of Angel Wings, bringing additional publicity and more visitors to Downtown El Dorado. The Angel Wings in El Dorado Project is an offshoot of the original Angel Wings Project that started in Los Angeles. The first Angel Wings were designed with several goals in mind. The primary goal, which the original artist, Collette Miller stated, “Is to remind us that we are supposed to be angels on earth, and reflect the goodness of angels to our fellow man.” Ms. Miller started painting Angel Wings on some of the dilapidated building’s walls in a very rundown section of Los Angeles without city permission. She did this to give the residents of these neglected neighborhoods hope and to add a little interest and color to a drab part of town. The project was just supposed to be just a local art project to brighten up a neglected area in the city, but it was so popular those first Angel Wings have inspired a worldwide phenomenon, with Angel Wings murals on almost every continent. The initial Wings attracted so much attention and praise that the city of Los Angeles became a willing partner, and joined with Ms. Miller, which resulted in 30 more Angel Wings throughout the city. Today in Los Angeles, you can find the angel wings in the Arts district in downtown, at Angel City Brewer, the Regent Theatre, in Koreatown, and in Westfield Century City Mall. Though some Wings are commissioned and others gifted, the Wings themselves are free to the world. Angel Wings are never owned by anyone, not even Ms. Miller. Though the initial ones are of her provenance and work, and the painting all over the world are in response to her first ones. She decided to focus on lifting the spirits of people on the streets when she started creating beautiful, colorful, larger-than-life-sized angel wings all over the world. People seek them out, drawing encouragement, peace and inspiration from her works. Currently there are more than 150 installations around the world. The first pair was just street art, but the response was natural, immediate and spontaneous, from people of all sorts and backgrounds. Ms. Miller has painted wings globally in Kenya, Australia, England, Japan, France, Cuba, Juarez Mexico, Dubai, Taiwan, and more, and many in the USA. The original purpose of Angel wings was symbolic of encouragement that brings on soaring to new heights in life. Angel wings can also symbolize the will to do good to oneself and to others. (Taken from her website.) Downtown El Dorado’s Angel Wings are part of this world-wide people’s art project where individuals become part of the art as they stand between the wings and have their photo taken. It seems, from the worldwide success of the Angel Wings Project, there is an attraction, which draws people to not only view a work of art, but to become part of it, and to share it with their friends on social media. It’s hard to pin down why people are drawn to the art work, but from the very first Angel Wings painting they have been. Today downtown El Dorado, through the Angle Wings Project, has become part of a worldwide movement to encourage us, though the symbol of Angels Wings, to treat everyone equal. You’re invited to drop by downtown El Dorado to become part of the art, and celebrate the oneness of mankind.