An Angel in the clouds

by Kerry Audouin

​I am always looking for something to make or do that is different, meaningful and creative. Late last year my son was speaking to me about geometric patterns that he had done at school. This inspired me to do some. I remembered doing string art at school so I went about 'googling' how to do it.
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I found wonderful patterns online and purchasing some thread and a needle and some cardboard. I began to thread the patterns onto the cardboard. Some easier than the others. I thoroughly enjoy watching how with the use of only straight lines the curved or spiral patterns emerge. 

In the afternoon of New Year’s Eve I was standing outside waiting in a queue with my son and I looked out at the sky above me and I was amazed by the clouds that were there. They looked like they had been painted with the most delicate brush against the bright blue sky. Feathery streaking across the sky. Then the most amazing thing happened. As I watched one small patch of cloud began to shimmer with a bright red along the edge and this red danced further into the cloud changing to orange then yellow, then to green and then blue and finally purple. Before my eyes the whole cloud was a dancing shimmering rainbow. Then to my complete astonishment I realised that the rainbow cloud was itself in the shape of an angel. It lasted for a fleeting moment but it filled my heart with warmth and hope. To be given this picture was a very special way to end a year such as we lived through last year.

I was very grateful to have been given this picture by the earth and I will carry it with me so I can face with courage what the coming year will bring.

I took a photo of the angel in the clouds but the rainbow did not show up in the photo. 

I knew that somehow I must bring this picture with me into my life. I thought about doing a representation of what I had seen in string art.

It wasn't easy finding exactly what thread I wanted to use as it needed to shine. Once I had what I needed I struggled to design the angel. This I found was an interesting process in itself. I wanted to represent as much of what I had seen as I could but with the sting it was not possible. This meant that I must bring my own thinking and impulse to what I had seen.
I dithered for a few weeks being unsure of what to do. Beginning other projects in the meantime. 

Then I just made up my mind to simply begin and let it show me what wants to be created.
I finished it and it didn't look like I had first imagined, but it represented my thoughts and activity as well what I had seen.
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Here is the photo of the angel in the cloud and the angel I created.

The angel in the clouds is in the centre of the photo where the clouds appear to spiral.