The rest of this week we’ll be in a four-part video series by artist Scott Erickson called Why the Church Needs Art: Stories of an Artist in Residence. We’ll gain insights from his experience as an artist-in-residence at Ecclesia Church in Houston, Texas. So today through Friday grab your cup o’ Joe and join us for some great insights from a fellow artist on the journey of creativity!
Here’s part 1:
“Art inspired by God is the highest form of inspiration there is.”
Ivan Guaderrama is a remarkable, young artist whose artwork brings the Holy Spirit to its viewer in a very real and visceral way. Listen to these amazing thoughts from Ivan:
“Since discovering the gift God has given me I have been faithful in my search for the purpose in which he has given me such talents. It is more clear to me now than ever that God has given me the opportunity to spread the hope found in His word through art inspired by God. Through my relationship with Christ, my life has made some astounding changes, and no feeling compares to seeing that experience begin to take shape with the many guests that visit our Gallery. Whether or not they are believers in the Lord, there has been countless guests of the gallery that have felt the Holy Spirit move in them through the art they have seen or purchased. I have no doubt in my mind that it is the message of the Lord placed in the art inspired by God that is causing such a reaction, the gut level understanding that if you are patient and put your life in His hands He will follow through in His abundant promises. My connection to God never ceases to amaze me.”
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of every day life.” ~ Pablo Picasso
“Can flexing your creative muscles really make you happier?”
I know YOU already know the answer to that question, but watch this inspiring video and watch SoulPancake put some science behind what we already know!! Continue reading
Let’s make today a TED Talk Tuesday!
Spurred on by the question, “Can art change the world?” street artist JR made a wish in 2011: “Join me in a worldwide photo project to show the world its true face!”
(c) Mara Bochart Design marabochartdesign.blogspot.com
I’d like to introduce you to the scripture inspired art of Mara Bochart through her BEaUtiful site Shine Living.
Bringing you an article on learning creativity from CreativePro.com today. CreativePro is a website for anyone involved in the conception, direction, design, or production of communication materials, including print designers, photographers, illustrators, and web designers. The article is geared towards their audience, but all ideas can be transferred over to other areas of the arts and creativity. Check it out here:
Today’s post is dedicated to my daughter Maddy in celebration of her birthday. You are Madelyn Ruth, Magnificent Companion of God! You are my BEaUtiful daughter, ablaze with adventure and life!
I’ve posted the work of artist Colleen Briggs of Fragments of Light before. Want to direct you there again! This artwork and her accompanying story will certainly bless your day. As you read the story, you will quickly see it is an analogy for something much larger.
colleenbriggs.com
So click here to head over to her post entitled Blaze, and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you as you read and enjoy her work.
The Awakening
Polymer Clay
(c) Sara Joseph
Speaking on creativity, artist Sara Joseph states:
“If it flows as an outpouring of your walk with the Lord, creativity becomes an organic entity with the potential to explode into unforeseen territories. It is like dropping brilliantly colored ink into a sparkling lake, watching the ink spread and change unpredictably in hue and intensity as it catches the light. The Lord can turn your limited creativity into something far more than you could ever have imagined, the more time you spend with Him and the more you trust Him with it.”
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
Another Ted Talk to start your week! This is British author and educator Sir Ken Robinson, who makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. 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.”
“Passion” (C) Jubal Johnson
http://www.dunamisarts.com
Today’s post was shared by artist, poet, psalmist and photographer Jubal Johnson who shares prophetic words (and other wonderful inspiration) on his website DunamisArts.com. Dunamis is Greek for “power.” His website is dedicated to celebrating the Kingdom of God and its King, the Lord Jesus Christ through visual arts, music, poetry, dance, theatre, film and photography. Continue reading
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!
Not wasting much time here today. Want to direct you to an amazing article called The Wonderful Ache of Beauty (Why We Need Art) by writer Jeff Gions.
Head on over—it is very much worth the read. And make sure you listen to the song—it is very much worth the listen!
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
Bringing you another amazing TED Talk from Jarrett J. Krosoczka. “How a boy became an artist” is a great story about how Jarrett became an author and illustrator of children’s books. This is why arts education is so important!!
thecreativeepiphany.wordpress.com
The Creative Epiphany is the blog of artist Jo Ann Brown-Scott. I want to point you to two specific posts:
Nurturing the Creative Spirit Within 