Creative Resources

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #76 — Planet Earth Film

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Photo by Madelyn Thomae (C) 2015

Photo by Madelyn Thomae (C) 2015

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world. ~ Psalm 19:1-4

Grab your coffee and sit back. This Planet Earth film from director Robert Revol is 13 minutes long but as you watch, first, take a moment to consider how marvelously creative God is and second, remember you are made in his creative image! Take in God’s glorious splendor and be amazed!

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #75 — Creative Writing Prompts

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by Louis crartist FlickrToday’s post is for writers of all types: authors, bloggers, script writers, playwrights, songwriters.

Christian Creative Writers offers two sets of writing prompts to help get your creative juices flowing:

Christian Writing Prompts

Creative Writing Prompts

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #74 — Resurrection’s Power

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ResurrectionI have always loved this dance by Praise in Motion dance company. I reference this dance in chapter seven of my book God’s Creative Gift, in my discussion on seasons in the life of the creative Christian. The dance is to the song Resurrection by Nicol Sponberg. I especially love the way in which they use fabric—like a shroud—and how they cast it away trying to free themselves from death’s emptiness. The piece is deeply moving.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #73 — Being Creative & Sustaining Creativity

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thecreativeepiphany.wordpress.com

thecreativeepiphany.wordpress.com

The Creative Epiphany is the blog of artist Jo Ann Brown-Scott. I want to point you to two specific posts:

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #72 — Finding God in Art

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“Golden Sea” by Makoto Fujimura, 2011.

“Golden Sea” by Makoto Fujimura, 2011.

This is an incredibly powerful video featuring artist, writer, speaker and culture shaper Makoto Fujimura talking about how he found God through his own creation of beauty.

“It was almost like this voice coming over me…this voice that washed over me… and I realized at that moment this historic figure of Jesus was no longer just this historic figure but he was the one who was calling me all along in my creativity.”

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #71 — Worship Dance FB Page

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FBIt’s another Facebook Friday! Today’s group is simply called Worship Dance. It’s a great group where folks who love to worship through dance, movement and flags can network and share resources. The group is administered by good ole’ me!  🙂  The group description is short & sweet:

Christian dancers and creative worshipers from around the world!!

There are over 1,000 members and it’s growing every day!

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
– Psalm 103:1

Let’s shake those shackles off our feet so we can dance!!

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #70 — To Be an Artist

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atelier (61)“In those moments when you feel discouraged or lost in the studio, or when you experience rejection, rest completely assured that what you don’t know about something is also a form of knowledge, though much harder to understand. In many ways, making art is like blindly trying to see the shape of what you don’t know yet.” ~ sculptor Teresita Fernandez

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #69 — Rebirth Arts

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Today I would like to direct you to The Journey to Rebirth blog. Although the author herself is a dancer, this blog is NOT just for dancers. Addressing a variety of topics, it’s for anyone in leadership or ministry—and it is written for those of us with an artist’s heart. I have been blessed on more than one occasion by Rasheeda’s blog. It’s worth the follow!

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #68 — Photography Course

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Photo lensEver thought about taking a photography class but wasn’t sure where to find one in your area? CreativeLive offers online classes from some of the world’s experts in their respective genres and many are offered free of charge! Check out this one called: The Photography Starter Kit with John Greengo. The class offers 16 online video classes for $24.

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Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #67 — Crown Him with Many Crowns

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I trust you had a blessed Resurrection Sonday!

S empty tomb

I love this BEaUtiful rendition of “Crown Him With Many Crowns” below from the Crystal Cathedral—the arrangement, the horns, the voices, the flowers, the organ pipes and the sanctuary all speak of the majesty and glory of the resurrected Son of God. And even so, they still pale in comparison to the true glory and majesty of our Risen King. For today, watch, taking a glimpse, and imagine the Lamb of God seated on the throne!

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“Father, into your hands..” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #66)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 7

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com

Enough

Here I am, my son.

Your struggle is over.

It was near impossible

to keep from turning

toward your cries.

I felt each lash,

wailed as they

drove the nails.

I blacked out the sun

so as not to see

your suffering.

Come to me now,

let me bandage

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“It is finished!” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #65)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 6

“It is finished!”  John 19:30

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com

The Antique Rocking Chair

The carpenter is not disappointed

by the ruined finish or the broken arm,

loose spindles, failed glue joints.

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“I am thirsty” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #64)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 5

Cup of Blessing by Matt Durbin (C) 2011 www.mattdurbinart.com

Cup of Blessing
by Matt Durbin (C) 2011
mattdurbinart.com

“Later, knowing that all was now completed,

and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled,

Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”

– John 19:28

Drink 

The fount of living water

bellows drought. I want

to lift a ladle, cold and pure,

so you could be relieved.

But I’m deceived with ease.

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“…why have you forsaken me?” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Music (Create-A-Day #63)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 4

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned (forsaken) me?”   Mark 15:34

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com

Fear

I taste the juice of forbidden fruit

dripping from Adam’s mouth.

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“Dear woman, here is your son…” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #62)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 3

[Jesus] said to [Mary], “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.”  John 19:26

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com

Mary at the Cross

I am not old. A bewildered mother

since conception who stored up

each moment. Now I will recall

the way you reached for me, a babe,

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“Today you will be with me…” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #61)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 2

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”               Luke 23:43

Matt Durbin (c) 2010

Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com

Note: the broken way in which this poem is formatted is purposeful. Imagine the broken, jagged breath of the criminal on the cross next to Jesus… gasping for every breath… just to simply form sentences.

Breath

Jesus, why are you

up here

with me,      why

is our blood

mixing      with dirt,

why do our lungs Continue reading

“Father forgive them…” Last 7 Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #60)

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: Day 1

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

Matt Durbin (c) 2014
mattdurbinart.com

The People Stood Watching

Come, see a man who told me everything

I ever did. A man who healed my eyes,

fed me bread he multiplied, poured my cup

of wine, washed my feet, called me out

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“7” Virtual Art-Walk: The Last Words of Jesus in Art, Poetry & Song (Create-A-Day #59)

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7 bannersSeveral years ago our church creative arts ministry offered an event called “7” — a self-directed art-walk focusing on the last seven words of Christ spoken from the cross. Similar to a prayer-walk, an art-work utilizes art to help you prayerfully meditate while walking through a series of stations. There were seven stations and at each was a banner with the words of Christ, a poem by author and poet Sarah M. Wells, and a painting by artist Matt Durbin.

We will be re-creating a “virtual” version of “7” through the Create-A-Day posts with poetry by Sarah and artwork by Matt paired with songs. Our hope is that these posts will prepare your hearts for Resurrection Sunday, help you consider the cost of Christ’s priceless gift, and worship Jesus more deeply during this blessed season. Continue reading

Create-A-Day: your daily dose of creativity #58 — Painting the Face of Jesus

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Today enjoy artist Kerry Jackson of Drawing to the Rock Ministries at work at he paints to Isaiah 53:

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Create-A-Day, your daily dose of creativity #57 — The Art of Easter

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The story of the events surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection found in the Holy scriptures has inspired artists for thousand of years. Here’s a small sample of some classical and contemporary artwork and the scriptures that inspired them.

The Last Supper Leonardo Da Vinci 1494-1498

The Last Supper
Leonardo Da Vinci
1494-1498

When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him. He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:14-20 Continue reading