My mother was the greatest influence in my life.
She was a single mom who struggled raising
three boys, and she made tremendous
sacrifices for us. Her love for her sons was
immeasurable, but I did not clearly recognize
or even fully appreciate it until I became a man.
When I hit my 30's, my dating world changed.
I began dating a woman with children, which
was a new experience for me. I quickly
recognized the tremendous love she had for
her kids. It seemed wonderfully familiar because
it was the same type of love my mother had for
me. This time, I was witnessing it from the
other side - as an adult. Viewing this experience
changed me forever.
I have dated several women with children, and
one thing is very apparent: the love a mother
has for her kids is unwavering, unconditional
and unlike any other love on this earth. That's
what inspired me to start painting angels in
2004, and all of my angels are modeled
after women.
before it left my easel. A woman came into my
studio and saw the nearly completed artwork.
She was so moved by the image that she
immediately purchased the painting. It was then
that I realized how powerful artwork can be,
conjuring deep, meaningful emotions and
possibly changing someone's perspective in life.
She was a single mom who struggled raising
three boys, and she made tremendous
sacrifices for us. Her love for her sons was
immeasurable, but I did not clearly recognize
or even fully appreciate it until I became a man.
When I hit my 30's, my dating world changed.
I began dating a woman with children, which
was a new experience for me. I quickly
recognized the tremendous love she had for
her kids. It seemed wonderfully familiar because
it was the same type of love my mother had for
me. This time, I was witnessing it from the
other side - as an adult. Viewing this experience
changed me forever.
I have dated several women with children, and
one thing is very apparent: the love a mother
has for her kids is unwavering, unconditional
and unlike any other love on this earth. That's
what inspired me to start painting angels in
2004, and all of my angels are modeled
after women.
before it left my easel. A woman came into my
studio and saw the nearly completed artwork.
She was so moved by the image that she
immediately purchased the painting. It was then
that I realized how powerful artwork can be,
conjuring deep, meaningful emotions and
possibly changing someone's perspective in life.
 |  |  |
Angel Giveaway History
Thomas Andrew
| Click on an image to enlarge. |
By 2007, I had painted and sold hundreds of angels. I was able to speak with many of the customers
and learned why the angel artwork meant so much to them. Often times, it was because they were
going through (or had gone through) a tremendous hardship. The angel represented God's love and a
sense of hope, which brought them a feeling of peace. That's when I decided to give away 10 angel
paintings to people who were in need of spiritual uplifting. It was my small way of giving back.
That November, I emailed my friends and family asking for information about anyone they knew going
through a difficult situation. I conveyed that the information would be kept in confidence and the
angels would be sent anonymously. Additionally, a brief letter explaining who I am and how someone
wrote to me on their behalf (the nominee) would be included. Moreover, I received about 30 emails and
one of them was about Kathy Kemp. Kathy was a journalist for the Birmingham News who had written
two articles about me. She was battling breast cancer and received the very first angel.
The number of nominations I now receive each year is about 100+. The stories are tremendously sad
and all of the nominees are worthy of an angel. Even though I promote giving away only 10 angels, I
find it difficult to choose just 10, so I often send out more. The angels have traveled all over the
United States, from California to Maine.
My goal is to increase the number of angels I give away each year, and to help fund this action, I now
sell prints on my website. I have also instituted a sponsorship initiative - "Angel the World" - that
encourages people to buy an angel for someone anytime during the year. I will send the sponsored
angels anonymously, as well.
Lastly, what I did not expect when I began this journey are the letters I often receive from the
recipients. They usually start out by explaining how they were surprised by the angel showing up
unexpectedly. Most are truly humbled and touched by the notion that someone wrote to me on their
behalf. Many talk about what they have gone through and how much receiving the angel has meant to
them. Furthermore, their letters are extremely moving and inspire me to continue with this mission.
Thank you to all who have supported me. - Tom
and learned why the angel artwork meant so much to them. Often times, it was because they were
going through (or had gone through) a tremendous hardship. The angel represented God's love and a
sense of hope, which brought them a feeling of peace. That's when I decided to give away 10 angel
paintings to people who were in need of spiritual uplifting. It was my small way of giving back.
That November, I emailed my friends and family asking for information about anyone they knew going
through a difficult situation. I conveyed that the information would be kept in confidence and the
angels would be sent anonymously. Additionally, a brief letter explaining who I am and how someone
wrote to me on their behalf (the nominee) would be included. Moreover, I received about 30 emails and
one of them was about Kathy Kemp. Kathy was a journalist for the Birmingham News who had written
two articles about me. She was battling breast cancer and received the very first angel.
The number of nominations I now receive each year is about 100+. The stories are tremendously sad
and all of the nominees are worthy of an angel. Even though I promote giving away only 10 angels, I
find it difficult to choose just 10, so I often send out more. The angels have traveled all over the
United States, from California to Maine.
My goal is to increase the number of angels I give away each year, and to help fund this action, I now
sell prints on my website. I have also instituted a sponsorship initiative - "Angel the World" - that
encourages people to buy an angel for someone anytime during the year. I will send the sponsored
angels anonymously, as well.
Lastly, what I did not expect when I began this journey are the letters I often receive from the
recipients. They usually start out by explaining how they were surprised by the angel showing up
unexpectedly. Most are truly humbled and touched by the notion that someone wrote to me on their
behalf. Many talk about what they have gone through and how much receiving the angel has meant to
them. Furthermore, their letters are extremely moving and inspire me to continue with this mission.
Thank you to all who have supported me. - Tom