I've been doing some reading lately, trying to figure out how God wants to use me and my art. John 7:18 has been heavy on my heart. I don't want to pollute my creative journey with my own pride and ambition, but it is a continual battle. My church has recently begun a very loose Visual Arts ministry. I sooooo appreciate our Worship Minister's approach of encouraging both the visual arts and the artist, but without generating a list of expectations or goals. I don't know yet where I am going on this journey, but I am content to keep reading, experimenting and exploring until God reveals His plan to me.If you're interested in checking these books out, you can click on the following titles and be taken to their descriptions at Amazon. Imagine: A Vision for Christians in the Arts by Steve Turner, Art for God's Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts by Philip Graham Ryken, The Heart of the Artist by Rory Noland, 200 Pomegranates and an Audience of One: Creating a Life of Meaning and Influence by Shawn Wood, and The Complete Artist's Way: Creativity as a Spiritual Practice by Julia Cameron.
One of my recent tasks in Julia Cameron's book was to write the following statement: Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong. She even suggested to "calligraph" the statement! I know the statement may seem self-indulgent, but one of the main thrusts of her book is for artists to realize how much they beat themselves up with negative thoughts. She reminds her readers that God loves artists.
Well, that assignment led me to create another piece. My alarm is set to Moody Radio, and one morning I awoke to the reading of Isaiah 45:3, "And I will give you the treasure of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, which calls you by name, am God." I just loved that! Treasure of darkness. Riches in secret places.I don't often like being in a dark, confusing place in my life (never, actually), but to know He is ahead of me and has already prepared the victory...well, the just gives me great comfort.
I feel as though I am approaching a crossroads in my life - as an artist, parent, Christ follower - all of my roles are changing and need re-evaluated and updated. Everything is kind of up in the air right now. I have always been a Type A - listmaker, and it is a challenge for me to be patient and wait for the dust to settle on this chapter of my life. 
beautiful post, jane! i'm not very good at patience either, and i'm definitely type A, although working towards type A- !!
ReplyDeleteyour interpretation of the Isaiah passage is beautiful....i just love the texture that you've created with your letterforms! :))
Jane, that was such an encouraging word, thank you!! I have been thinking similar thoughts and will be checking into those books you suggested. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! The pieces you included in this post are amazing, but more than that is your message. I too have been struggling/waiting to see what God would have for me and art. He has placed a desire for it and some aptitude toward it within me. He has given me the time and opportunity to work in the field. I know He has something for me, for Us, and each day my prayer is 'For your glory Lord, not mine'. He will place us where He wants us.
ReplyDeleteMay we be relevant to the world but not defiled by it.
Thank you for this post. These are issues I am exploring as well. I will certainly check out the books you listed. Another I have on my Amazon list to get is The Creative Call by Janice Elsheimer. It sounds good - have you read it?
ReplyDeleteI love the two pieces you created - just beautiful and God honoring.
Karen
Hi Jane, I think God is really moving in Christian artists. I don't know if it is just that I am exposed to more, I don't think so. I hear what you are "feeling" more and more. There is a place here called "The Worship Studio" and the director said he feels God is raising up an army of Christian artists to proclaim His name!!
ReplyDeleteI have "The Heart of the Artist", have not read it all yet. And I have "The Creative Call" mentioned by Karen. I liked it better than "The Artist's Way" just because it is from a Christian perspective.
Love the pieces you posted above. And I too love that scripture!!
Blessings Jane!
Jane, your work shown in this post is absolutely amazing... I am in awe. You inspire me to do more, thank you. xoxo, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI meant to comment on this forever ago but I got busy and never did. Thanks for sharing these titles. I too am working to understand God's plan for my creative talents. For now I'm working to rest in the fact that for him it's about the relationship with me, not about a destination. And that he delights in watching my process because he created me to be like this. I want to put these on my wish-list and possibly donate one to our guild's library.
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