Heartstrings

 Heartstrings

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of."— Blaise Pascal

Heartstrings reflects on the unseen emotions we carry, inviting the viewer to consider what holds us, what lingers, and what we choose to let remain. It’s about the ache of holding space for love, for memories, and for the versions of ourselves that we once imagined.

Release

"Release"

“Sometimes, you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.” — Unknown

I took a break from creating pieces like this for the last three years. Earlier this year, I felt a strong pull to return to it. But like so many things, it’s easy to keep putting it off. I wanted to create something that captured the feeling of letting go—of the things I felt were holding me back from making art. In a way, this piece became my release, a way to give myself permission to create again.

What I love about it is that it doesn’t have to be just about art. It can be about letting go of anything—thoughts, fears, or memories that weigh a person down. As the “birds” take flight, I feel lighter, more whole. It’s a moment of surrender, of choosing to release what no longer serves me and making room for growth, healing, and peace.

But I also like to leave my pieces open-ended. Is she truly free, or is there still some lingering attachment? Are the birds a part of her—and if so, does she feel emptier without them? This piece invites the viewer to reflect on what they’re holding onto, and what it might mean to finally let those things go.

©2025 Angela Marvel Fine Art
Award winning photographer, Angela Marvel, creates conceptual self-portraiture, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and emotional resilience, blending surreal storytelling with symbolic elements.
Please visit angelamarvel@gmail.com for more info. 

Veiled Selves

 Veiled Selves

"You are only as visible as you choose to be." — Unknown

I look at this one as a way to symbolize the hidden aspects of self or the way we present ourselves to the world. Whether that is how we are different people tat times or how we present ourselves to be. 

©2025 Angela Marvel Fine Art
Award winning photographer, Angela Marvel, creates conceptual self-portraiture, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and emotional resilience, blending surreal storytelling with symbolic elements.
Please visit angelamarvel@gmail.com for more info. 

Unbroken

Unbroken

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly"

IM BACK!! I did take a little break but I want to get back to doing this as I sorely missed it!

This piece is about a sense of transformation and resilience. About embracing wounds and the ability to rise despite them. 

©2025 Angela Marvel Fine Art
Award winning photographer, Angela Marvel, creates conceptual self-portraiture, exploring themes of isolation, identity, and emotional resilience, blending surreal storytelling with symbolic elements.
Please visit angelamarvel@gmail.com for more info. 

Counting Time | Redeux | Self Portrait Artist

 "Counting Time"

I reedited a previous Covid art piece called "Counting Time" .

I originally created this piece in June 2020 to show the time passing of indoor lockdown and how much time we spent not doing "normal" activities. On Saturday our last mandate of wearing masks was lifted. My kids went to school today maskless for the first time in 2 years. 726 days into Covid. As this could be the last mandate as we return to daily life, I wanted to update this counting time piece to reflect the entire Covid journey. I must say all the tally marks really pop on this version!

Enjoy!

Embrace

 Embrace

“Life happens. Adapt. Embrace change, and make the most of everything that comes your way.”— Nick Jonas

Embrace has become by motto for 2020 and was a great key word for this week's self portrait. 

Take Two

Take Two

"It is always possible to do a thing better the second time." - Henry Ford

Here we are again. Covid take two. For my state we went backward in our numbers and now restrictions. We have officially entered the second phase of the virus. 

One thing I have been thinking about during this phase two lockdown is what I didn't do during phase one. I believe I am not alone in wishing they had done more back in the Spring, like projects around the home, teaching or learning of a skill, and/or used the time to do something you usually wouldn't. There are things I did of course, but I look back and wish I had done a few others. Right now we have the holidays to keep us occupied, but looking at the new year I want to use this time efficiently and not look back and wish I had used the time home better.

Now for those that haven't shut down or changed their lifestyles as much or have relaxed since Spring, its also a second chance to quarantine, cut back on activities, and/or look at what actions you can do to help minimize the spread of the virus this time around. 

Whatever you do during this second lockdown, do it better!

Extra: I have two versions of this image. One for my specific state and our date of when regulations went backward and then the one that is a generic phase two. The generic will be used in my official Covid series and on my websites, but wanted to make myself a specific image to have for my own personal collection.