After 15 years of illustrating, I'd come to a place in my career where money or high profile pieces just didn't motivate me any more. I was starting to feel dead, artistically, so I decided to take a sort of plunge, if you will, that felt like spiritual liberation and financial suicide by turns. I made a conscious decision to let go of some of the illustration jobs that consistently supported violence as entertainment.
During this time I realized that my deepest desire was to contribute my talents to projects that uplift humanity… projects that leave people inspired. I really had no idea what I should do, but I made space for whatever “it” was by turning down jobs that had become my bread and butter over the years.
In the Fall of 2005, I received a call from Alex Tinsman who shared an incredible journey with me… a journey that she would never have consciously chosen. I listened with tears in my eyes as she described the loss of their sweet little boy, and how that unthinkable pain gave birth to the idea for Angel Quest.
She and her husband, Brian, went on to ask if I would be willing to co-create their idea with them and develop the look and feel for the game. It was to be my job to give life in a visual way. How would it look? How would you feel holding the cards in your hand as you contemplated your next act of kindness?
As you can imagine, this was the job I’d been waiting for… the job of my dreams. Never before or since has an assignment touched my soul like Angel Quest. It was much more of a calling than a job, and it stretched all of my talents and abilities to their fullest extent.
I honestly didn’t
know if I was capable of designing and art directing such a big project. I’d
never done anything like it before. I designed every aspect of the cards and the
packaging, contributed 4 painted illustrations (Sacred Angel of Comfort, Angel of the Future, High Angel of Nature and Angel of Thankfulness) and coordinated the talents of 28 other artists.
Needless to say, I felt supported in discharging my responsibilities, almost as
if all of the loving Unseen Powers were behind this project and had no intention
of letting it fail.
Ever
since being involved with Angel Quest, I try and do one act of kindness each
day. It has added such a soft, loving focus to my life… a fringe benefit I don’t
think I fully anticipated. It's fun and really easy to brighten someone else's
day.
Another way I enjoy the cards is to just sit and gently peruse the beautiful angel images. Just looking at them seems to open up a path of love and warmth. At other times I'll randomly select a card just to meditate upon the inspirational quote at the bottom.
Angel Quest is the first project in which my talents, heart and soul completely converged and merged in a profoundly fulfilling way. I am grateful to be a part of such an amazing movement that keeps the goodness rippling on and on.
