June 26, 2016

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: It's Kinetic

Kinetic art captures the attention & imagination of the viewer.  There is something about movement that aids in creating/telling a story that stagnant pieces miss. It gives life to inanimate objects. Kinetic art possesses possibilities that other work does not.  I love mobiles.  It is interesting how the environment interacts with the work to create & change the movement of the piece. They can then be viewed from so many different perspectives.  However, imagine a mobile laying on the ground.  I know...what's the point?  It isn't doing what it was created to do any longer.  A mobile not ...mobile"ing" is just a pile of stuff.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Philippians 3:12

As Christians we can not set still.  If we think we've "arrived"...we have missed the mark, and are missing out on a constantly growing & changing(not that He changes..but we do!) relationship with our Maker.  Becoming a Christian is not the end of the journey...but the beginning.  We move forward in our faith by reading God's Word, fellowship with other believers, prayer, putting our trust in God & his plans, and much much more!  It is active....not still/stagnant.  We must never rest on what was because that will get us no where.  As we take steps of faith...we won't always get it right.  However, if we continue to walk humbly with our God...if we keep moving toward him & his plans for us....if we never stop seeking him first.....those around us will see what a vibrant real relationship with God is all about.  It is not perfect.  We are not perfect. But a kinetic faith...moving, active, going forward kind of faith will speak so much louder than a "faith" that looks perfect but is lifeless/inert.

Dear Lord..
Thank you for actively being involved in our lives.
May we actively pursue knowing you.
May our lives look as if we are walking closely with our God.
In Christ Jesus, Amen

June 13, 2016

Last Chance....

                              

              I have a few spots left!!!  The workshop is next week...so email ASAP!!
If you are planning on coming but haven't sent me your registration forms yet...email me!! I need to make sure I have enough "stuff"!!!  I'm so excited for our time together...we are going to have a blast!
  

June 12, 2016

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Portraits


When I started painting, I was very much into portraiture.  I enjoyed the challenge of trying to create an image that not only showed what a person looked like, but also emoted some of their personality.  There can be "issue" with portraits though.  You are telling someone else's story, and that story is the most meaningful to that person & those that know them. Others that see the portrait can appreciate the technical aspects of the work, theorize about the subject of the portrait, and draw connections between the image and their own knowledge base.  


However, when you are faced with the image of another person you do not know...there are natural limitations to your connecting with the art. "I don't know them. I don't know their story. I don't know their connection to the world. Were they nice? Were they funny?  Were they a good friend? Were they caring?"  I stopped creating portraits because I felt their was a disconnect between my work & the viewer.  I wanted to do things that conveyed meaning & connected to the deep parts.  

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down' you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.  You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.   Psalm 139: 1-6

Sometimes we feel like the forgotten subject of a self portrait.  We feel unknown, unloved, and alone.  Life has a way of beating us down at times, and these feeling can creep into our minds & emotions and leave us feeling forgotten. It happens!  Some people struggle with this more often than others, but I believe we all can say we've been their...if only for a short time.  Psalm 139 is a great reminder to all of us that we are known, loved, and never alone.  These are words we all need to hear....and some of us need to post around the house as a constant reminder of God's love!  God has a portrait of you...and he connects deeply with the person he sees in it!  He looks at you with the eyes of a father looking at his child.  Not only does he look at you lovingly...but he does that knowing exactly who you are, what you've done, your strengths, your weaknesses....ALL OF IT!  He knows you...he loves you....he is always there for you (even when you aren't "feeling" it!).  

PRAYER

Dear Lord, Thank you for loving us.
Thank you for knowing us.
Thank you for always being with us.
May we know it...believe it...and live it!
In Christ's Name, AMEN

June 11, 2016

Yeti Art?

I'm up in Ohio for my favorite aunt's funeral....and trying to find the art of the area.  While visiting the store where she was a cake decorator for many years...I found these beauties!!!!



Yeti Art?  Ha ha...I'm sure there is a reason/story behind why they have so many of them....and why they even exist, but for now I'll just have to wonder?!?!!?

....but I feel a lesson/unit plan coming!!!!!! ha ha ha

June 08, 2016

Zoo Art?

While at the Nashville Zoo today....I took notice of the "art" in the gift shop.  So many places have pressed/mold formed Tchotchkes that are pretty much dollar store left overs. I thought these were really great!  It is summer...so I'm looking for art every where I go! 









June 07, 2016

Short Term Summer Gig

I'm working today & tomorrow at the TN Department of Education!!  It's arty...never fear!!  I never thought I'd have the amazing opportunities I've been given over the years!  It is humbling to be trusted with such important work!  



June 05, 2016

Sunday Devotional With Mr. E: Emphasis

 Emphasis & Focal Point are two of my favorite design principles.  Emphasis has to do with bringing awareness to the content of a piece.  Focal Point is where you are high lighting a specific spot or place within a work of art.  There are many ways to achieve both principles, but the result is the same...something is elevated while something else is diminished. This allows the artist to have greater control over the meaning & impact of a piece of art on the viewer.  

"HE MUST BECOME GREATER;
 I MUST BECOME LESS." 
 John 3:30

John the Baptist had quite the following!  It was never his goal to be the center of attention.  He was just living out the calling he had on his life...to point people back to God & to tell them about the coming Messiah.  There John stood..face to face with Jesus...the one he had been speaking about.  He turned "his" followers attention to the one who should have their attention & adoration.  He became less...and placed the emphasis from what would be....to what was, is, and ever shall be! 

I feel that our lives can point people to the Lord if we'd just have the right emphasis.  A person's motives & priorities can speak much louder than their actions & words.  In Luke 21 we see Jesus share that the poor widow's gift was more than the rich even though it was less.  It wasn't so much the amount, but the heart behind the amount given.  A humble heart that loves the Lord & serves Him with their WHOLE life will have a greater & deeper impact on this world.  Their emphasis is not on themselves (a real struggle in this present age), but on the One who gave them LIFE.  

Does your life display the right emphasis?  Does it let the "viewer" know what's most important, or is it muddled and confusing?  What can you do to so the emphasis is clear to others (and yourself)?  

PRAYER
Dear Lord, help me to reflect on my life & see the areas 
that need to be addressed.  Help me to have a life that emphasizes the things that are truly important to me, and reflect you in all I do & say.
In Christ's Name, AMEN 

June 01, 2016

Summer Lovin'!

           
                What is your favorite summer tradition? Strawberry patch for us!