The Creative Call

It's been a difficult week - my Mom who is dealing with Alzheimer's seems to have taken a turn for the worse. I have art orders to complete with next to no motivation.

I happened to catch part of Midday Connection on Moody Radio yesterday afternoon, and I was amazed at how the program seemed to be perfectly timed.

Janice Elsheimer, author of a book called ""The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit" was the guest. Her main message is that creativity is a pathway to personal and spiritual growth - we actually develop our creativity as we enter a closer relationship with your creator.

Because God Himself is the Creator, according to Elsheimer, as we engage in the act of creating (a gift from the Creator via the Holy Spirit) we actually have the opportunity to connect with God on a unique level, drawing us closer to Him. I admit this sounds lofty, but it certainly is worth looking at. He helps us create, and we have the opportunity to be drawn closer to Him.

One thing the author said that really caught me off guard is her suggestion that we pray over our medium, whatever that might be - our hands, mind, words, body etc., because that ushers the Holy Spirit into the process. I'm embarrassed to say that it never even occurred to me to pray about my art. A few years ago a customer/friend challenged me to make praying for each of my customers my "ministry", but I haven't prayed about my art while doing my art.
I'll try that.

If you'd like to hear the "Creative Call" program you can listen to it here.

Flowers in heaven

Here's an interesting close up of one of the pictures currently hanging at the Genoa City Library.

For this piece I used a very thin piece of my handmade paper which was applied to a piece of black archival foam board with Perfect Paper Adhesive. The handmade paper was so thin that the PPA bled through, and at first I panicked, but then I ended up loving the unexpected "cosmic" effect.

Will there be flowers in heaven? I think so. We know there will be at least two big trees (Revelation 22:2), and flowers were actually one of God's favorite art subjects. When he gave instructions to Bezalel and Ohliab, the two artists he handpicked and empowered to create the items in Israel's tabernacle, flowers (and palm leaves) were among God's most requested decorations. You can read more about it starting in Exodus 31.

it's arts week!

I'm so excited that it's Arts Week! This week at Midday Connection, a daily program held on the Moody Broadcasting Network, they are exploring Christian faith and the arts, with a variety of authors, artists, and speakers.

Exploring how my art relates to my faith, and how my faith relates to my art... and how I can use my art to glorify God has on my heart for a long time.

*Listen to the Arts Week programs anytime here.
*Interested in learning more about Arts and Faith? Check out the Arts Week suggested reading page
I am going to start out with Francis Schaeffer's "Art in the Bible". Join me!