Avenging Angel

One of Denver's most notorious artworks goes on the block -- or does it?

A A A Comments (1) By Michael Roberts Thursday, May 17 2001

...continued from page 5

"I have dreams, too," Mays says, getting worked up. "I've dreamed I'm in this burned-out church, and I'm playing poker with Picasso and Renoir and so many others. I've talked to Picasso and he talks back; all these guys do. He tells me, 'Calm down and just paint. Just paint.'"

And paint he does, every spare minute -- and he says his exertions have finally purged "Hell's Guardian Angel" from his consciousness. For several years, the Angel haunted him because he was unable to top it, and for more years afterward, it unnerved him. "I was afraid of it, afraid of what it'd done to me." But now he's ready to let it go. "That's why it's not hanging up, or even framed or protected -- why it's just gathering dust. It's no longer what I do. I don't feel that way anymore."

Brett Amole

A wing and a prayer: Ron Mays and "Hell's Guardian Angel."

Brett Amole

Mays at home in Aurora with Matthew, Brandon and Michael.

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter: Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Even if the Angel brings in a big price, Mays won't benefit; the money's earmarked for his sister, a decision that fills his mother with pride. But he hopes its presence will bring notice to his other work and help lift his family above the subsistence level.

Leslie looks through the open front door at her yard, a patch of grass and dirt the size of a miniature-golf hole, and says, "This is not what we planned to have at this age -- nothing but a plastic swimming pool. That's why I get so frustrated with Ron sometimes -- frustrated because I had to work at an IHOP because he wants to be an artist. And on top of that, some of the kids are getting old enough to start picking up hints about -- well, about Dad's past. But then I think, art means everything to him. I can't take that away from him."

Mays smiles at her. "We're doing fine," he says. "I mean, we're all eating."

Get the Weekly Newsletter

Our weekly feature stories, movie reviews, calendar picks and more - minus the newsprint and sent directly to your inbox.

Email
to Friend

Write to
Editor

Print
Article

Ashleyburns2727 04/11/2011 8:09:00 PM

My dad is Ronald W. Mays. Over the years i have watched him make masterpeice after masterpeice.when i was younger i dont remember having any interest, then my dad finally felt i was old enough to know the truth about him, although alittle scary as i was going though all the news articles hed collected over the years and then i understood everything.i now have more respect for my dad more than ever