Vlog Embedded Below–just scroll down!
Rewind then Fast Forward
Before we can start on the How To Talk About Your Art series, let’s rewind a few weeks, because I haven’t been able to tell you all about the Bible Cluster yet…it zoomed on by (haha, see what I did there) in the midst of a lot of other urgent and drama-laden things and there simply wasn’t time.
I’m going to share that with you, and then add on what is going on for the next couple of weeks. Please note that I am still looking for an artist to feature for the Bible Cluster Spin-off starting on my own Facebook page May 7th. If you are an artist of faith or know of one, please let me know.
A Test and a Blessing
On Tuesday night, 3.28.23 the monthly Bible Cluster took place, with me as the featured artist. There are usually at least two artists per session, but the artist from Zambia ended up not being able to join us after all.
I had decided to share a work from last year instead of producing another work. My inner vision is not always reliable to come up with something meaningful and impactful in only a few weeks. I try to always be available by always making art in some way, but inspiration is not always bestowed like it was when I painted “Heartless Pledge”.
For a time, I tried the experiment of making art during my pastor’s Sunday sermons that applied to the sermon. Now I’m pretty freewheeling: if the sermon makes a picture in my heart, I make that, but if it doesn’t, the art supplies are there and I’ll be working on something just in case.
In this particular instance, the vision came emphatically. Here is the original study? Scribble? Concept drawing? in gouache that I made in the moment
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A few weeks later I did another study in a bigger sketchbook using acrylics. As you may know I don’t usually work in acrylics: I’m usually painting in soft pastel, my favorite medium. I had found, however, that I could be very loose and creative when using acrylics to the point that abstracts came much easier using them at first.
I didn’t even realize at the time that choosing an uncomfortable and unfamiliar medium to work in was part of the meaning of the painting. I didn’t realize it until last Tuesday night, in fact, when someone else mentioned it!
That’s the beauty of Bible Clusters. You may think you understand a piece of art, but until you see it through others’ eyes, you will miss so much. Even if it’s your own art work!
After prayer and our scripture reading, I introduced my work, explained that it was a challenging image and told it’s story: how the vision came to me during my pastor’s Sunday sermon and the impact the image had on me. How I created it, then hesitated to post it and afterward realized that *that was the lesson of the art* itself. How I posted it and it sold within 2 hours. That it’s meaning is wrapped up in Luke 9:57-62 where Jesus is challenging some disciples’ claims of commitment to Him, and how that relates to Abraham and Isaac’s total commitment to the Lord.
As always, discussion was encouraged at this point and several people responded to the story and to the art.
Responses from Attendees
Jeremiah B included in his response that Isaac knew his father was good: he followed him up the mountain knowing without a doubt that his father was good. Just think about that for a moment. Have you ever found yourself going through a rough time and questioning God? I have. I have questioned whether God is good! But Isaac didn’t. He is an example to us.
Sydney G made the point that painting this piece was a test for me. I hadn’t thought about it this way before but he is right: I painted in a style I’m unaccustomed to, in a medium I’m unaccustomed to, and then took the challenge of posting it even though I saw it as a very controversial piece. He saw it as a test from the Lord, to ask me to follow where He was leading even though it was completely out of my wheelhouse.
At the end, Bill, the founder of Engage Art, chimed in to share that this is what art should do for us: it should sometimes challenge us and make us uncomfortable. He then gave us a further challenge: to ask ourselves three questions:
Where has God tested you?
How did you hear Him?
What did you do about it?
And that is where I leave you, dear reader; with the same challenge to meditate on and consider. In case you would like to listen, here is the link to the sermon that inspired the work
And here is the link to the blog post I wrote when I first published the piece
The Right Questions and a Moment of Fear
And with that, I pray as always that this week you will see the music, hear the colors, touch the magic and awaken the wonder and worship in your heart.
This Week in the Studio
As I mentioned, I have been and still am looking for the first artist to feature during a Bible Cluster led by ME, yours truly, the Magical Freaking Unicorn on my Facebook page May 7th.
But long before that is the Taylor Show, benefitting the Cinderella’s Closet charity, and the Bertram Art Herb and Wine Festival. I will be in Taylor the 22 and 23, and Bertram the 29 and 30.
I’ve been pretty much nose-to-the-grindstone for several weeks, but I really think I’m getting to the point where I will have plenty of beautiful ceramics for you to purchase along with paintings.
Here are a few samples: These are NOT in the shop, but what’s left will be added after the two shows are over.
Well, back to glazing over here. Godspeed, my loves.
