Painting from the Heart: The Process Behind My Spirit Angels Series

During the COVID-19 crisis in February 2021, I began what would become my Spirit Angels series — a spiritual painting series inspired by a moment of creative discovery.

How the “Spirit Angels” Began

The idea came while I was working on an abstract acrylic painting. I noticed three triangular shapes at the bottom that resembled people. I added heads, and suddenly they looked like spirits — but not human ones. They had no eyes, ears, mouths, arms, or legs. Just shapes. I thought: what a glorious idea for a series!

That’s when I committed to painting a collection of warm, cheerful spiritual figures. I included a roundish shape in each to symbolize God. (Though in the end, God often looked more like a flower or design — I didn’t mind!) The first eight paintings were done on 11x14 watercolor paper.

Exploring Mediums: From Paper to Canvas

Next, I experimented with acrylics on canvas, clayboard, and wood (you can see three examples below). This time, my focus shifted. I wanted to add halos to the spirits and create a more simplified, quieter composition — something more reflective and spiritual than cheerful.

I ended up painting around 15 pieces, each using different textures and acrylic techniques. They vary a lot. My process throughout was intuitive — constantly asking myself, “Do I like this?” If not, I painted over it. It’s how I learn what truly appeals to me, not what I think someone else might like. It’s all imagination — a version of Painting from the Heart.

Working in Watercolor

So far, I’ve completed 13 watercolors in the Spirit Angels series. Watercolor painting is faster than acrylic or oil, and these pieces feel more delicate, though still spiritual in nature. Each part of the series has its own energy.

The three paintings below are also part of Spirit Angels, but I’ve decided to title them Friends.

A Note to My Students

For those of you who are new to our art classes at the studio, I wanted to share this as an example of how I personally approach making art. Below are some thumbnail sketches I created during spare moments — I always encourage students to do the same.

Final Thoughts

I hope this blog gave you a little insight into how a series can evolve. My goal is always to help students see that art is a process. When you work on a series around something you love, you not only improve your skills, but you also develop a relationship with your subject — something you don’t always get from a single “perfect” painting.

Thank you for taking time to read. If you’re curious, you can view more of my artwork here: Pat Lutz Gallery — it’s a small example of my work over the past 40 years.