The Sublime

Well I finally did it. I began to draw again. The experience of drawing after so much time away is both refreshing and trying. I never thought that something that used to come so naturally would seem so difficult to do.
The creative mindset is a different mindset and I believe that's were most of the struggle comes from.
We spend so much time doing left brain tasks: writing, reading traffic signals, working out family budgets that the right brain creative tasks seem other worldly.

It the great balancing act. Living out in a practical way the abstract. It's similar to the walk of faith that followers of Christ struggle with daily. In art you deal with the abstractions of beauty and design while you struggle with the practical side of good craftsmanship. Let's face it if the craftsmanship is sub par the message is lost in the mess.

In the same way if we fail to live out the practical aspects of sanctification and christian character the holy message of redemption that we carry can get lost in our mess.

Thank God for His mercy. His grace comes in contact with our efforts, how ever feeble, and we find the strength and resources to meet the task at hand.

I Cor. 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- 31 that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

So let us continue to glory in God alone. So weather in life or the study of the arts we can reach the level of excellence we are called to with the ability that the Spirit gives.

Eph.2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Chris

Rebirth redux

OK I haven't actually started yet. I'll admit it. The prospect of starting over after almost a year of no drawing is taking me some time. I've been seeking inspiration from other artists who are attempting to do this faith through art thing.

One, Tim Barron, is pretty impressive. I can't give him an out right "This Guy is Great!" I just found out about him. What I can say though is that he seems to have something to say and he does it with style and humility. It's like iron sharping iron to quote a wise man from long ago. Check him out at: www.timbaron.blogspot.com/
There is another artist that I am kind of impressed by but I can't find any links to his work besides on a comic book gallery page. He goes by Apostle 13. Do you know him?

My experience over the past week as I attempt to build up my courage to begin again is under girded by these other men. As they work out the life of faith through art they serve as examples to me that it can be done and it can be done with artistic integrity and theological openness. It reinforces in me my idea about the importance of community and art. I don't even know these guys, yet they still inspire me and by their example they keep me accountable.

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. "
Col. 3:13

Grace and Peace

Chris