Saturday, December 1, 2012

To All My Artist Friends


If you're a Christian and an artist pursuing a career in the art field, why not pursue God first and ask why He gave you the gift you have? There are no two gifts that are alike, so we're pretty safe in knowing that we have a unique and specific calling. Don't you want to know what that is? We will never be satisfied in our creative endeavors until we are in alignment with what God wants to do with that gift. When we stop trying to make a name for ourselves is when God can finally do His work through us. Who knows, maybe you were created to be the next C. S. Lewis or Rembrandt of our generation? But until we sacrifice our desires for what God's plans are will we ever become truly fulfilled and successful.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

What Do You Have to Trade?

While looking through my collection of paintings this week, and realizing that they're not doing any good just sitting in a garage, I decided to distribute to my friends the ones that I'm ready to let go of. Some are from when I lived in San Diego, others are from when I first moved to Lancaster in 2006. They all have a story to tell and the stories have been kept silent for too long.

So, for the next few weeks I'll be uploading these paintings one at a time to my blog. I will let them go to a new home in exchange for what you have to trade. It may be something small like a book or a bottle of wine, or maybe theater tickets, a canoe or a service that you could offer from your business. Be creative! This is an incredible opportunity to own an original piece of art.

When you see a painting you'd like, list the painting and your item for trade in the comments section below. I'll choose the best one and announce the winner on the blog. Don't forget to check back regularly.

"Naivety"
40" x 40" | Acrylic on canvas
This is a pretty old painting, but it still gets me every time I look at it. How dangerous it is to think we know it all. It is a privilege to have people speaking into our lives, especially pastors and mature Christians who have way more experience than us. So don't ever take people like that for granted. Every day we make a choice to respond to what the world has to say or what the Spirit says. What a waste of time to listen to the world. Speaking from experience, it's truly not worth it in the end.



"Flow"
18" x 24" each | Acrylic on canvas (framed)
I painted these pieces within the first couple months of moving to Lancaster from San Diego. My heart was aching for the chance to just drive to the beach (which I lived minutes away from my whole life) to breath in the fresh air that could calm me in a matter of seconds. To watch the beauty of each breaking wave and the seagulls flying above was therapy for me. I could now understand why they said Southern Californians are so laid back. It's a completely different world over here on the East Coast, but I'm okay with that. Still, I needed to get back to my roots of finding beauty in God's beautiful creation everywhere, enjoy His peace overwhelming my soul and just go with the flow in the midst of uncertain change. 



"Seeing Through"
16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas
What do you see when you look at this girl? Is she crying or laughing? I loved using this painting as a conversation piece to ask why people saw the emotion they did. Was there something in their life right now that made them see her as crying or laughing? Maybe they needed to see someone enjoying a good laugh to lift their spirits and that's why they saw what they did. Either way, it drew a lot of emotion from people and I loved being able to witness that.
-TRADED ALREADY-




"She Sells Sea Shells by the Sea Shore"
16" x 20" | Acrylic on canvas board
For the love of the ocean and the beauty of wet, colorful shells.  
-TRADED ALREADY-



"Shield of Faith"
36" x 24" | Acrylic on Canvas
This painting was done for a sermon series based on Ephesians 6:10-18, where we are called to put on the full armor of God in order to take a stand against the devil's schemes. This one is a reminder to always put on the shield of faith in order to fight off all attacks from the evil one. As soon as you see them coming your way, you have the power and will be given the strength to fight them off with the Spirit's help before they penetrate your heart. Stand firm and pray in the Spirit on all occasions.






Monday, June 11, 2012

Some Pinterest Inspiration

Being a visual person, I finally figured out that if I'm ever in need of inspiration these days I just check out the images on Pinterest. I found one idea for a menu board that helped me come up with this project. I am in love with it now. It truly helps me be more intentional about my day and making it fun and purposeful for my kids. I just select new activities for us each day under "Mommy & Me Time," "Just Me Time," and "Creative Time." We've had so much fun already!


Monday, June 4, 2012

Monster Party!


My son is really into monsters right now, especially feeding cookies to the ones in his closet. So, why not encourage his creativity in thinking they're fun monsters instead of scary ones and make him a monster cake for his birthday this year? I never thought it would be as much fun as it was, so I'm planning on having a play date sometime soon where all the kids get to create their own monster cupcake! All you need are different shapes and colors of candy, marshmallows, icing pens and you're set!



Monday, April 9, 2012

The Visual Gospel

Scarlet Steps this year far exceeded my expectations and I have no idea how we're going to top it next year. The gospel was presented through a variety of impressive mediums, styles, and expressions but all with one intentional message -- God sent His Son, for you and for me, to die on a cross. He was then resurrected by God as it was predicted by the prophets in the Old Testament, and those who believe in Him will have their sins forgiven and will be with Him forever.


To see the Gospel presented in a visual way like this was amazing. Each piece of art was well thought out and deeply moving. There were descriptions of the artwork next to each piece so you got an insiders view into the artist's creative process. Below is the piece I did this year.

 "For All Who Fear Him"
Acrylic on Canvas
My painting below is based on Acts 10:34, 35 where Peter realizes how God shows no favoritism to anyone. Christ died for every sinner, no matter what culture, gender or background.


For more pictures of the event, go to our website at www.scarletsteps.com

Monday, March 26, 2012

Scarlet Steps 2012


I just completed my painting for this years Scarlet Steps. It wasn't easy, and many times I wanted to throw white paint over top of it so I could just start from scratch, but I persevered through it and allowed it to become what it was meant to say. It is nothing like I had sketched or planned ahead of time, so that's what made it frustrating. But it became something I could never have thought up by sketching it out. So, I'm hoping this is one of many future paintings that I just allow the Spirit to help me develop as I go.

The painting is based on Act 10:34, 35. If you want to see it, come check out Scarlet Steps on April 6th at the Quilt & Textile Museum!

FRIDAY, APRIL 6TH, 2012 • 12-9PM

Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum
37 N. Market St. Lancaster, PA 17603

www.scarletsteps.com

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Silent Art Auction - "Gift of Art"


What began as a year-long art show, displaying the creative gifts that God has given the artists at our church, will now be all put on display at a local gallery to be auctioned off. The proceeds will go back to the Art Ministry to help fund our next major outreach event, Scarlet Steps which will be at the Quilt & Textile Museum on Good Friday. This year Good Friday falls on the same night as First Friday, where galleries and shops stay open late downtown. What an awesome opportunity our church will have to share the gospel and the events of Good Friday through art, when a major amount of Lancasterians will already be downtown.

This auction will also show off the talent and gifts that God has blessed many artists with at NewSong Fellowship. It will begin at 7pm and have a few different closing times to completely end at 9:30pm. You must be present to win so make plans to stay the whole night. There will be food, music and plenty of inspiring art to admire. To view the artwork that will be up for auction, go to www.newsongfellowship.net/artauction

Friday, May 20, 2011

Motherhood Series

I just completed a new painting that begins a new series I'd like to do on Motherhood. Ever since I was pregnant with my first child I've had a desire to express what that experience was like for me through a series of paintings. Unfortunately, I lost the energy and creativity that I had before I was pregnant, so it never surfaced. But, now that I'm pregnant with my 2nd child, I'm finding it to be a very different experience. Especially since the need to express has surfaced like never before. I have never felt so many mixed emotions about having a baby than I have with this new pregnancy. I never imagined being in the place where I would say I was unhappy to be pregnant, but that's how I felt for 3 insanely long months. But after completing this new piece, and with God's help and insight, I came to finally accept and be proud to be given the opportunity to be a mother to another child. It truly is a blessing, honor and privilege to be a mother.

Below are a few pieces that have led up to the latest painting called "Motherhood."

"Motherhood"
Fabric pieces stitched on Acrylic painting

"Sweetest Gift"
Acrylic Painting on Wood

"Precious"
Fabric on Wood

"Welcome Home"
Acrylic on Wood

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The Pursuit of Excellence in our Art

On the most beautiful day in November, a couple of friends from the NewSong art ministry and I headed down to Philadelphia for the day to check out some art galleries. Our first stop was the one I was most excited about, White Stone Gallery. I had been to their gallery before when they were located in Lancaster, but soon after that they moved to Philly. I had also remembered talking with the owners a little bit and noticed how friendly and open they were so I was excited to see what conversations might come from having 3 other Christian artists with me when we arrived there. Nothing had changed. One of the owners, Susan Hooks, was there and still as friendly and willing to talk with us as if she knew us. She shared with us the process of going through entries they receive for a juried show they host each year and why they choose the particular art AND artist they include in the show. It's not always just because of the art. She also mentioned the challenges of representing a Christian gallery to a secular market and media, but with those challenges progress and change has started to happen in some of the people she's met. There have been times when visitors have been in tears after viewing some of the art and they didn't necessarily know what it was about or that Christ was behind the theme. I can only imagine the impact that this gallery has had on the public and hope to one day get back into the gallery scene to experience it for myself.


Aside from the encouragement of Susan, and inspiring artwork I saw that day at the many galleries we visited, I was definitely challenged as well. I have always struggled with artists that do the same subject matter over and over and over again. For instance, the show that was up at White Stone Gallery was all about divers. That was it! Every single painting was a diver in a different position. Despite the fact they were in beautifully arranged poses and made you feel the movement of the dive, I couldn't get past the fact that that was the whole show. So as the 4 of us were having lunch that day and enjoying some lively art discussion, it hit me. I was reminded by a comment Susan had made earlier about pursuing excellence in our art and not accepting anything less than that in other artist's work. One of the reasons Christian art has grown a bad reputation for being hokey or cheesy art is because we don't want to offend the artist who may not have much talent in that area, so we show their art and label it "Christian art." But if we went to a recital and had to listen to a "Christian" pianist butcher a piece by Wagner or Mozart, we'd get up and leave at intermission and probably never go to another recital by Christian pianists again. So, there is definitely a line that needs to be drawn between the artists pursuing art as a profession and those who just want to use art as their personal expression.

So, I have to remember this with my own art. Just because God has given me the ability to creatively express myself through painting doesn't mean that I can produce whatever I want and expect people to accept it because the inspiration was from God. I am required to pursue excellence in all that I do and remember that most of all, my art represents who God is, therefore, the end product must reflect excellence because that is who God is! And if this means doing the same subject matter over and over again in the pursuit to master that subject, then that is what I should do. The artist at White Stone Gallery definitely mastered the subject of divers, whether or not it was in pursuit of excellence, the entire show was evidence of an artist who had worked hard at refining their art.

Friday, June 25, 2010

****IT'S AN ART "Move"MENT SALE****

My husband and I just moved and no longer have the studio space we once did so we're having a MASSIVE SALE on all my original artwork!!!

Never thought you could afford to buy original artwork? Well, now's your chance, and we can guarantee once you get started you won't stop. There's nothing like owning a home full of original pieces by your favorite artists that mean something to you and not just mass produced art that 1,000's of other people have in their living rooms as well.

All proceeds will go toward our family's missions fund for our next missions trip to . . . well, we don't know where yet, but we're already preparing for when God calls.

Check out what is already up for sale, and keep checking back for more pieces. There will be a total of 30 pieces with a couple uploaded each day. If you have a favorite and want me to hurry and list it, let me know and I will.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Article about Scarlet Steps

Here's an article in this weekend's paper with a great write-up about Scarlet Steps by Joan Kern.

The third annual "Scarlet Steps" sacred art exhibit at NewSong Fellowship Church will focus on hands.

There will be hands that commit sins and the hands of Christ, "who died for our sins."

Perhaps the most compelling piece in the exhibit is Dan Milligan's "Jesus Laid in the Tomb" — a large acrylic painting, with a black background, of a crucified hand, red with blood.

The exhibit, also with hands from Easter scripture, will invite guests to contemplate "how our hands and His hands can come together."

NewSong's Inspire Arts Ministry will present the exhibit of 22 drawings, paintings, sculptures, collages, photographs and fiber art at the church, 609 Prospect St., from 5 to 9 p.m. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Supervised art activities will be available for children age 4 and older.

For more information or to reserve free tickets, call 393-9600 or go to www.newsongfellowship.net/scarletsteps.

"Scarlet Steps" — a variation on the Stations of the Cross — takes its name from the trail of bloody footprints Jesus left on his way to Calvary.

It will feature 20 artists, including one teen. All but three of the artists are members of NewSong.

"We have a ton of artists," said the Rev. Brett Lovern, pastor of worship and arts.

Lovern, who is in charge of the exhibit, said he doesn't know why NewSong attracts so many artists but suspects it is because it is a young congregation.

"We're theologically conservative, but edgy," he said.

One of the young artists in the congregation is Ann Kimmich, NewSong's director of Inspire Arts Ministry, who is assisting Lovern in putting on the exhibit.

"We're driven by scripture but not afraid to keep up with culture," she said.

Kimmich, who resides in Lancaster city, moved here four years ago from San Diego.

"I came from a church that had a gallery, coffee shop, monthly art shows and art classes."

It was Kimmich, of Kimmich Art & Design, who suggested NewSong establish an art ministry. "Scarlet Steps" was its first project.

The exhibit, which attracted more than 500 people the first year and more than 600 last year, will be held in the church lobby, which will be draped in black curtains.

The atmosphere will be "quiet, contemplative, personal," Kimmich said.

The first section will feature works of art depicting modern-day sins. An example is Nicole Rosania's "Abuse," a detailed graphite drawing of a scared young girl.

The second section will feature hands depicting events from scripture that led up to Jesus' death on the cross.

Kimmich contributed "Betrayal," a fiber art portrayal of Judas' empty hands.

"He betrayed Christ for money, but in the end gave the money back and hung himself," she said. "It goes to show that what you think you want isn't always fulfilling."

The last stop in the exhibit is the sanctuary, which will be converted into a response room, with easels and other art supplies.

"(Guests) can, paint, draw or write a poem or a song," Kimmich said. "Or they can sit and pray."

Artists will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their work. Each piece in the exhibit will include an artist's statement: why the subject was chosen and how the piece was created.

NewSong gave the artists a list of subjects and let them pick from it.

"A lot of people picked something personal; things they've dealt with," Kimmich said. "That's why the artists' statements are so important."

The response room also will include recorded music and five videos of NewSong members talking about how Christ came into their lives.

The focus on hands began with a two-minute video that NewSong showed in a worship service. It will be on view in the lobby during the exhibit.

To the music of "Amazing Grace" and without narration, it flashes close-ups of hands in various settings with phrases or words such as "stole a pack of gum," "lies," "gossips," "doesn't show love" and ends with a hand nailed to a cross and the words "forgave them all."

"That's the kicker," Lovern said.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Scarlet Steps

"Scarlet Steps: Sacred Hands"
NewSong Fellowship Church | 609 Prospect St | 17603

I'm very excited about Scarlet Steps this year. I've been dying to step out of my comfort zone and try a different form of art, but always back out at the last minute. Well, I finally did what I've been wanting to try for the last couple of years: fiber art. I've had a huge stash of fabric in my closet for over 3 years and finally broke it out to create the below piece. I'll be the first to admit I have a lot to work on since I'm not completely satisfied with the way the stitching turned out, but because I had a tight deadline, it is what it is.

Below is some information about Scarlet Steps if you live in Lancaster and would like to check the event out:


Scarlet Steps is a free, art-driven experience combining artwork by local artists, music, multimedia, and Scripture to illuminate the message of Christ in a fresh, new way. It will be held at NewSong Fellowship Church, on Thursday and Friday, April 1st and 2nd with tickets available from 5-9pm. This 3rd annual event will walk you through artist renderings of the life and death of Jesus Christ while giving you a new appreciation of both artistic expression, and Christ's life-changing sacrifice, specifically focusing on how our hands and His can come together. Scarlet Steps will inspire you to think beyond the traditional Good Friday message to explore the Passion of the Christ in a bold new way you'll never forget.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Inspire Art Ministry Art Show

It's time to get back to painting! And there's a great show I'm getting ready for. My church's art ministry is having a show at Square One Coffee in September and I'm very excited about the theme: God of this City. I'm still playing with ideas of what I want to do, but I don't have much time left either, so wish me luck in getting it done in the midst of taking care of my newest addition.


If you live in Lancaster, check out the show next month and join us for our First Friday opening reception on September 4th from 6-9pm. Square One Coffee is located at 145 N. Duke St in downtown Lancaster.

Monday, July 13, 2009

It's a Boy!


Here's the reason I've been MIA lately.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Worship through Artistic Means


Tonight is another Inspire Worship night at church. We plan to have easels set up with paints and canvas' available for anyone to paint on, as well as butcher paper on all the tables to draw, write, collage, paint and/or pray while listening to a worship band play.

There's absolutely no need to be an artist or have any experience in art to participate. God has given every single person a creative spirit because we were made in His likeness. Is there a more awesome or amazing artist than God? All you have to do is look at a National Park, a West Coast sunset, a sunrise from Joshua Tree or learn about the development of a baby inside a mother's womb to be in awe of how beautifully everything in this world has been designed and created. That should be enough to know that God has given everyone the same ability to draw from inside themselves their own unique, personal form of expression that can be produced through a variety of artistic means, just waiting to be used and developed.

You'll never know unless you try, right?

INSPIRE WORSHIP NIGHT
7pm
@
NewSong Fellowship Church
609 Prospect St
Lancaster, PA 17603