Seven Angels, Seven Gifts
2010
My story of how the Angels of Revelation brought me to them
Seven Angels, Seven Gifts
I have been privileged in this lifetime to witness many amazing sights and moments. One such sight changed my life forever, and it happened in last summer. I work for New Mexico State University, and on June 25, 2009 went to the Tulane University website to do some research. On the home page was a small ad that said something like "rediscovered Tiffany Angels." Curious, I clicked on the ad and was taken to the gallery website where I saw a picture of a stained glass Angel, just the head and a portion of the wings. (I learned later it was Sardis). It took my breath away, like a sucker punch to the gut. I knew immediately that I had to see them, and if possible, photograph them. And of course, the exhibition was closing in three days!
I called Charles Lovell, the Newcomb Gallery Director, to talk with him about that very possibility. He, in turn, graciously directed me to In Company With Angels. I was able to secure permission to photograph them, which apparently was very difficult to come by, but could not have happened any easier for me. That (mostly) reassured me I was on the right path, and not totally insane! Amazingly, I found affordable flights and a hotel, and flew out early the next morning. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn't know what I was going to do with the images I took. I didn't know what I would think about the Angels once I actually saw them. (There were no full images of the Angels on Tulane's website.) My friends thought I was crazy to do this. My husband Ray, though, knew I had found something special because of how deeply and immediately they affected me.
I was worried about what I was doing, because of the expenses of the trip itself. I was using the little money we had saved to go on the trip. Scared that I would get there and feel it had been a mistake. So excited to see the Angels I couldn't sit still. I talked to everyone on the plane, people at the hotel, cab drivers - anyone who wanted to listen to me tell them about this journey I was in the middle of. That I didn't know where it would lead but couldn't live with the regret of not having the courage to find out. Everyone I talked to was excited for me, hopeful, and interested in trying to see the Angels themselves.
I arrived at the hotel a little after 4pm and checked into my room. I decided I couldn't wait until the next morning when I was scheduled to meet with someone at the gallery to begin photographing. I had to see them, even though the gallery closed at 5pm and I would be lucky to make it there in time. I also wanted to know what kind of conditions I would be faced with, photographically speaking! I made it to the gallery 10 minutes before closing. I walked in, and immediately I could see Thyatira in the darkened space past the first room. It was like being issued a challenge. My heart jumped into my throat. Trembling, I walked directly into the room, which was empty of beings, and saw all seven of the Angels for the first time. Tears began to run down my face as I looked at them from the doorway of the room. I knew then the Angels had brought me there - I felt they had been waiting, patiently, for a long time. I felt humbled to be in the presence of something greater than anything on this Earth. Even though they are only a few feet higher than me, they towered over me. I walked slowly to each one, reading the Scripture, studying the pieces. Aesthetically, the windows are stunning examples workmanship and artistry. I had never seen anything like it. But it is their words that hold the true meaning. After I came to Laodicea and finished reading the last panel, I felt as though every question I ever had about life and its meaning had just been answered. Suddenly, I understood everything - what was truly important. It was a moment of total clarity. What a gift they gave me! I was grateful, thankful, inspired. I am still all of those things.
I spent the next two days photographing them and just spending time with them. I still had no idea what I was going to do with them! I only knew that they were incredible, and their message was too important not to be shared with as many people as possible. Over the next approximately six months I worked on the images I took, testing ideas, still unsure of how to share them with people in a way that would be meaningful. I finally realized that the way to touch others was simply the way they had touched me. I wanted to give others the same experience that I was gifted with, not simply show them reproductions of the originals. The final images are 10 feet in height, and do not include the bottom name panel as in the original windows. The name panel is printed on a different piece and displayed separately. (The Tiffany windows are 8 ft high). I rented a restored, historic home here in Las Cruces for a show that was held in December 2009. A fellow photographer and I displayed work, and the Angels were the stars of the show. I placed them in a room by themselves, which was closed from outside view. People were allowed in one at a time or in a small group, whatever they preferred. This allowed them to have undisturbed time with the Angels, time to have their moment of thought with them.
It was successful beyond my wildest expectations. People were so moved by the Angels - some came back every day, bringing family members and friends with them. They gave people so much joy and renewed their hope. It was humbling to see the transformation of some people after they came out of the Angel room. It made all of the time and work involved more than worth it. I know it brings joy to the Angels to see how they are making a difference in people's lives. A friend told me that if the glass Angels could move themselves, they would, because their message is one that needs to be shared. But since that is not possible, they have found another way to spread their message: through my art. And the message is one of hope and faith. For if it is true what they say about what comes in 2012, isn't that message the most important thing? We must reach out to each other and help one another. We must show love and compassion - now, more than ever. Because judgment comes for all of us, regardless of when or how we pass.
We are going to exhibit the Angels again this April, along with more new work. We live in one of the poorest counties in the country, and there are few here who have the means to travel to see the Tiffany windows. What I am giving people is the opportunity to see the Angels and see their message. A chance to see the Truth and the Light, if they want to see it. It is free and open to any who wish to come, no matter their station. It is the same chance that was given to me, and I am thankful for that.
Sue Ann Bonar
I have been privileged in this lifetime to witness many amazing sights and moments. One such sight changed my life forever, and it happened in last summer. I work for New Mexico State University, and on June 25, 2009 went to the Tulane University website to do some research. On the home page was a small ad that said something like "rediscovered Tiffany Angels." Curious, I clicked on the ad and was taken to the gallery website where I saw a picture of a stained glass Angel, just the head and a portion of the wings. (I learned later it was Sardis). It took my breath away, like a sucker punch to the gut. I knew immediately that I had to see them, and if possible, photograph them. And of course, the exhibition was closing in three days!
I called Charles Lovell, the Newcomb Gallery Director, to talk with him about that very possibility. He, in turn, graciously directed me to In Company With Angels. I was able to secure permission to photograph them, which apparently was very difficult to come by, but could not have happened any easier for me. That (mostly) reassured me I was on the right path, and not totally insane! Amazingly, I found affordable flights and a hotel, and flew out early the next morning. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I didn't know what I was going to do with the images I took. I didn't know what I would think about the Angels once I actually saw them. (There were no full images of the Angels on Tulane's website.) My friends thought I was crazy to do this. My husband Ray, though, knew I had found something special because of how deeply and immediately they affected me.
I was worried about what I was doing, because of the expenses of the trip itself. I was using the little money we had saved to go on the trip. Scared that I would get there and feel it had been a mistake. So excited to see the Angels I couldn't sit still. I talked to everyone on the plane, people at the hotel, cab drivers - anyone who wanted to listen to me tell them about this journey I was in the middle of. That I didn't know where it would lead but couldn't live with the regret of not having the courage to find out. Everyone I talked to was excited for me, hopeful, and interested in trying to see the Angels themselves.
I arrived at the hotel a little after 4pm and checked into my room. I decided I couldn't wait until the next morning when I was scheduled to meet with someone at the gallery to begin photographing. I had to see them, even though the gallery closed at 5pm and I would be lucky to make it there in time. I also wanted to know what kind of conditions I would be faced with, photographically speaking! I made it to the gallery 10 minutes before closing. I walked in, and immediately I could see Thyatira in the darkened space past the first room. It was like being issued a challenge. My heart jumped into my throat. Trembling, I walked directly into the room, which was empty of beings, and saw all seven of the Angels for the first time. Tears began to run down my face as I looked at them from the doorway of the room. I knew then the Angels had brought me there - I felt they had been waiting, patiently, for a long time. I felt humbled to be in the presence of something greater than anything on this Earth. Even though they are only a few feet higher than me, they towered over me. I walked slowly to each one, reading the Scripture, studying the pieces. Aesthetically, the windows are stunning examples workmanship and artistry. I had never seen anything like it. But it is their words that hold the true meaning. After I came to Laodicea and finished reading the last panel, I felt as though every question I ever had about life and its meaning had just been answered. Suddenly, I understood everything - what was truly important. It was a moment of total clarity. What a gift they gave me! I was grateful, thankful, inspired. I am still all of those things.
I spent the next two days photographing them and just spending time with them. I still had no idea what I was going to do with them! I only knew that they were incredible, and their message was too important not to be shared with as many people as possible. Over the next approximately six months I worked on the images I took, testing ideas, still unsure of how to share them with people in a way that would be meaningful. I finally realized that the way to touch others was simply the way they had touched me. I wanted to give others the same experience that I was gifted with, not simply show them reproductions of the originals. The final images are 10 feet in height, and do not include the bottom name panel as in the original windows. The name panel is printed on a different piece and displayed separately. (The Tiffany windows are 8 ft high). I rented a restored, historic home here in Las Cruces for a show that was held in December 2009. A fellow photographer and I displayed work, and the Angels were the stars of the show. I placed them in a room by themselves, which was closed from outside view. People were allowed in one at a time or in a small group, whatever they preferred. This allowed them to have undisturbed time with the Angels, time to have their moment of thought with them.
It was successful beyond my wildest expectations. People were so moved by the Angels - some came back every day, bringing family members and friends with them. They gave people so much joy and renewed their hope. It was humbling to see the transformation of some people after they came out of the Angel room. It made all of the time and work involved more than worth it. I know it brings joy to the Angels to see how they are making a difference in people's lives. A friend told me that if the glass Angels could move themselves, they would, because their message is one that needs to be shared. But since that is not possible, they have found another way to spread their message: through my art. And the message is one of hope and faith. For if it is true what they say about what comes in 2012, isn't that message the most important thing? We must reach out to each other and help one another. We must show love and compassion - now, more than ever. Because judgment comes for all of us, regardless of when or how we pass.
We are going to exhibit the Angels again this April, along with more new work. We live in one of the poorest counties in the country, and there are few here who have the means to travel to see the Tiffany windows. What I am giving people is the opportunity to see the Angels and see their message. A chance to see the Truth and the Light, if they want to see it. It is free and open to any who wish to come, no matter their station. It is the same chance that was given to me, and I am thankful for that.
Sue Ann Bonar
