Sometimes we try to put God in boxes—boxes of religious dogma and tradition. But Christ came and spoke out against all of that! He came, and he broke open the boxes we like to try to use to contain God. Thank you Jesus for being bigger than our boxes, our traditions, our will and our way!
This is my friend Darrin Hoover painting Six Boxes: Continue reading
The St. John’s Bible is masterful work of art and a wonderful work of God! It’s a Christian artist’s dream as far as Bibles go! In 1998, Saint John’s Abbey and University commissioned renowned calligrapher Donald Jackson to produce a hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible. Seven volumes later and the project was complete! I love what Jackson says about the process of working on this project:
“The continuous process of remaining open and accepting of what may reveal itself through hand and heart on a crafted page is the closest I have ever come to God.”
It’s another Facebook Friday here on Create-A-Day!
Today’s group is Prophetic Arts for Jesus and they have over 7,000 members! The group description is as follows:
This group is a community of prophetic artists for Jesus and those who want to see what Jesus is doing in the arts across the world. All arts that share God’s love and prophecy life are welcome here! It’s great to have a place to grow in your gifts to glorify God!
Prophetic art is born from the reality that we are created in God’s image and therefore, we are creators in His likeness. How do we create this way? Create from your core, not your eye. Ask Father God to tell you what and how to create, then follow His lead. Be alive with the revelation that you can change your community by offering art that is of heaven, not earthly skill only. People are transformed when they see art that reflects how much Father God loves them. Lets change the world one community at a time!
I became familiar with photographer Hal Moran via Facebook. His photos have a ethereal quality about them, and it’s obvious they come from a deep place within. According to his website, Hal says this about his journey into creativity, artistry and beauty:
My aim is to “make images that matter.” When I capture an image, I’m really capturing the metaphors and untold hidden stories in creation that are often missed by casual observation. Why does that matter to me?
I grew up with and still struggle with Tourette Syndrome, ADD, and dyslexia. That makes the visual world around me of great importance. Seeing is how I learn. And, it’s how I communicate.
(c) 2015 Hal Moran http://halmoran.com/wp/?p=1564
What is a Meandering Book? is the question posed and explained by blogger Jessica Hollowell, Owner of JessCreateIt.com.
I love this creative idea! It would be great for art journaling, Bible art journaling, and scrapbookers. Perhaps you want to create a reminder of God’s faithfulness; a book of your favorite scripture verses; compile pictures of people and missionaries you pray for; or have a reminder of a mission trip you went on. I think this meandering book would be a great option for all these ideas and many more.
We’ve spent the week examining the value of art from a heavenly perspective. Art can be redemptive or prophetic. It can be intercessory in nature or draw people into worship. Today let’s consider the healing or restorative value of art.
In this article, Christian Art for Healing, author/artist Sara Joseph shares her experience with using her creative process as a way to bring healing and restoration to her heart. She also offers suggestions and creative prompts to help you, as well. A powerful testimony of God’s healing power through art.
In this article, Sara shares this artwork and states:
“To my surprise, in my anxious conversations with God, He brings healing through the process of creating art.
Release
Polymer Clay Relief Sculpture
(C) Sara Joseph
11×14″I remember a deep concern that I had during a brief, but trying, season with one of my sons that resulted in the polymer clay sculpture shown here. It is called ‘Release’, because I knew that it was what I ought to do. Yet as I worked, it appeared as if my concerns and worries needed to be worked into the clay, before any sort of release could be attempted. So I doggedly expressed all my worries about him to God.”
I have featured Colleen Briggs and Fragments of Light here before. I want to direct you to her post entitled Prophetic Art.
CIVA or Christians in the Visual Arts is a community of Christian artists who are: called to creative work; devoted to the church; and present in culture. Their vision statement is “Serious Art. Serious Faith,” and they seek after both pursuits.
On the CIVA.org webpage you can find links to resources, local and regional exhibits and events, as well as how you can rent a traveling exhibit for your church or ministry facility. There’s also information about their biennial summer conference held at Calvin College in Michigan. The 2015 conference is June 11-14.
CIVA.org
Another Facebook Friday!
Today’s group is called Christian Artists and its group description reads as follows:
Christian artists, Christian dancers, Christian painters, Christian sculptors, Christian musicians, Christian singers, Christian actors, Christian writers and poets.
We are interested in networking and showcasing excellence in the arts for God’s glory.
“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.”
“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
Ever 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.
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
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
“It is finished!” John 19:30
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.
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.
“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned (forsaken) me?” Mark 15:34
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
Fear
I taste the juice of forbidden fruit
dripping from Adam’s mouth.
[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
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,
“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Matt Durbin (c) 2010
mattdurbinart.com
Breath
Jesus, why are you
up here
with me, why
is our blood
mixing with dirt,
“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
Several 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
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 