Biography or Statement

This week I have been struggling with writing an Artist's CV and an Artists Biography.  I've yet to tackle the 'summarise your art practice' part of a project application I want to make.  More about the project in months to come.

I have also been looking back through some of my textile pieces so thought I would share this one with you.

Florida Freedom

I borrowed the format for the CV from Susan Purney-Mark so I have managed to complete that.

But the artist's biography - oh my!

It's so hard to blow one's own trumpet or even talk about ourselves.  Or is that just a British thing!?!  Do people in other countries stuggle like we do?

I have written the biography but it still needs polishing before I unleash it on the world!

In the meantime I suggested to the writers group I facilitate that they might like to write a Writers Biography.  Not sure how popular I'll be with that suggestion!

But that led me to thinking about this blog.  Why do I write it and who for?

Which is probably describing my practice rather than my writer's biography!

Actually I write it for me.  I don't have a reader in mind - the equivalent of a 'client avatar'.  I also don't do it to build up numbers of readers. In fact lately I've had a few people unsubscribe - maybe they are reading this via a different route.

I write it as a sort of journal.  I can look back at my memories of travel and holidays.  I can look back at my textile and mixed media progress.  I can look at the various workshops I've done.

And I get to take a few of you along with me - which is great.

I love sharing my creative practice with whoever reads my blog - whether you have an email subscription orfollow me on Facebook.  

I believe everyone - ALL - are creative but not necessarily artists.  Creativity takes many forms - just feel encouraged to do what you do.

And if you get any inspiration here then that's great.

See you next time.  Thanks for being here today.
Bernice

Poetry thoughts

My lack of creativity wasn't total during January & February.  I did manage to attend some online poetry workshops.  The good thing about zoom is you can turn the camera off so the other participants don't know whether you're even there.  And certainly one of the sessions I was particularly vacant, even though I was actually in the room with computer!

For this first poem we were asked to make a list of words that go together.  For example, pencil and paper, cats & dogs, up & down, etc.

Where?
Let’s stay here. Here
where comfort lies.
Here, where my concerns
are contained and specified.
Here, where I feel safe. 

Let’s go there. There
where adventure waits.
There, where worries fade
amidst the new found space.
There, where I feel free. 

The second poem we were asked to write was about travelling solo.

Frustration
What if I packed a bag
and ran away from home?
What if I leave no note or
explanation; no forwarding address
or plan of destination?
What if I turn off my phone
to enjoy the silence of a solo
retreat? Retreat to times past
when communication was simple.
What if I set out one sunny day
choosing a road to travel to
who knows where; then turning
East or West after half an hour?
What if? What if I don’t?

This third poem is an ode to make something unimportant become significant. 

Taking Out The Bins
Monday’s chore. To empty
inside bins into
a plastic sack and place it
in the grey bin. Outside
whatever the weather, ready
for Tuesday’s collection.
A simple task held lightly
by him, but seen as a love
language to her. 

Thanks for joining me today
Bernice

Looking back, looking forward 2022

Thank you so much for reading this blog, making comments both here and on Facebook and generally staying with me throughout 2021. I really do appreciate that you spend time with me.

I have mostly posted twice a week throughout the year - on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I hope that wasn't too much for you. 

That said, I write my blog for me and only me. So if you find things of interest here, it's a bonus.

I don't usually look at the Stats but for the benefit of this post I thought I would. I wrote 96 posts last year. In checking the numbers I found a post that I’d written in July but never published. You’ll be able to see it next Tuesday. 

The most popular post in 2021 was Journal 2021 which received 166 views. And coming in second was Committed to Cloth with 153. It is astounding to me that so many people are interested in what I do. Especially, as I've said, I do this for me. 

So thank you again to those who find me by chance, those of you that follow by email or by blog readers or my Facebook page. I appreciate each and every one of you.

So what is to come in 2022? More of the same really.

Photo tutorials.
Recording my creative journey.
The occasional post on mental health.
Photos of my travels – if I get to do any!
Journaling my Word of the Year 

Sometimes I wonder if I should change it up a bit. But if it isn't broken - why fix it?  

If there are things you would like to see on my blog, please let me know in the comments below. 

Thank you again for sticking with me
Bernice

Coming home to a different country

Our final morning in Australia.  Andy took us all to Oatley Park where Roger & I went for a short walk and met back up with the family at the river's edge.

Andy was teaching Crusoe to swim.

After lunch Andy took us to the airport and we started our journey home.  The night before Singapore Airport had announced they would not be accepting transit passengers after midnight on the Monday.   Fortunately our flight for London left at 11.45pm on that Monday.  Although it did turn out that if you arrived before midnight and your flight wasn't until the next day then you could continue your journey.

The flight was almost full but Roger & I had a row of three seats for the two of us.   The flight was almost normal, apart from no hot flannels!  Or magazines in the seat pocket.  Hardly essentials!

We arrived in London as originally planned and collected the car.  The roads were quiet but it was 6am so it was hard to tell if things were different or not.  However whilst we were flying home, the Foreign Office had recalled British Citizens home.  Some are still stuck abroad as airlines closed down their services.  Currently 90% of Singapore Airlines flights are grounded.

Also whilst we were flying home, the lockdown announcement had been made.  So we arrived to a very different country.

I know that lots of people are finding it difficult.  Especially those who are worried about their finances as well as their health.  Roger & I are very fortunate to be healthy and to have our pensions.  We are only vulnerable apparently because of our age.  I was a bit miffed about that.  Earlier in the year much had been made about how healthy over-70s could be volunteering with various charities etc.  And now we're vulnerable!  But I understand there's a need to draw a line somewhere.  The government might have chosen 65 like some of the states in the US.

Roger is still shopping once a week.  We don't come into the category that allows us to have supermarket deliveries.  We both have a variety of hobbies and to be honest much of my life is the same as it was.  Obviously the church building is shut down so there's no church meeting or open studio time.  But the church leadership has risen to the occasion with livestreaming on Sundays and a daily 45 minute zoom prayer meeting.  Lifegroup is also via Zoom.  To be honest I've had more contact with church in the last 2 weeks than I normally do.

This is my last post about our holiday.  I am truly thankful that we managed to do everything we had planned and that we spent a week with the family.

I will be continuing to post here.  I will be back to sharing my creative endeavours.

Keep smiling.
Thanks for joining me today.
Bernice

Looking back, looking forward

Thank you so much for reading this blog, making comments both here and on Facebook and generally staying with me throughout 2019.  I really do appreciate you.

I have posted twice a week throughout the year - on Tuesdays and Saturdays.  I hope that wasn't too much for you.

That said, I write my blog for me and only me.  So if you find things of interest here, it's a bonus.  I don't usually look at the Stats but for the benefit of this post I thought I would.

My most popular post of all time was this one Playing which to my astonishment has had over 11,000 views.  Most of this is down to the fact that someone shared it on Pinterest.

The most popular post in 2019 was Further work in my workbook which received 567 views.   It is astounding to me that so many people are interested in what I do.  Especially, as I've said, I do this for me.

So thank you again to those who find me by chance, those of  you that follow by email or by blog readers or my Facebook page.  I appreciate each and every one of you.

So what is to come in 2020?

More of the same really. 

Photo tutorials.
Recording my creative journey.
The occasional post on mental health.
Photos of my travels - currently only Australia planned for this year.
Living Your Word of the Year

Sometimes I wonder if I should change it up a bit.  But if it isn't broken - why fix it?

If there are things you would like to see on my blog, please let me know in the comments below.

Thank you again for sticking with me
Bernice

Living Your Word 2020

Valerie Sjodin, Mary Brack, and I share insights through blog posts for creatively living a word of the year. In our Facebook group, we encourage one another by posting questions and prompts to inspire living out a word focus, keeping a journal etc. It is a safe place to ask for prayer and support. If you would like to connect with others in creative ways about living your word, you can ask to join our Living Your Word of the Year 2020 by clicking on the link below.

Join our Facebook group: Living Your Word of the Year

On social media: #livingyourword2020

To ensure you get updates from Valerie, Mary & I why not subscribe to our blogs.
Mary:  www.foundonbrighton.com
Valerie: www.valeriesjodin.com/blog/
This one: www.newlycreative.com/

More books!

Yes I know!

I said no more books!  I said it publicly in this post: Books on Creativity.

But then!

There were these!

I blame Bobby Britnell for this one.  At the workshop in Llanidloes she had a copy of this book for us to look at as part of our research into other artists' work.   I totally fell for the book.  There was another one called Maps by the same artist but it's out of print and is £244 on Amazon for something that was issued at about £9.95

This one I saw on Facebook and ordered it from the new & used section on Amazon.  When I got to the Festival of Quilts the authors had an exhibition of the work featured in the book.

And lastly I just bought this.  And then realised I already had a copy  - I bought it in the US in June.

So, for UK peeps only, I'm doing a giveaway.  Comment below on why you would like the magazine by the end of Monday 28th August and I will randomly choose one person to send this copy to.  You can see what's in it on the Stampington site.

Thanks for stopping by
Bernice

Creativity & Vulnerability revisited

Thank you so much for all the comments I received both here and on Facebook regarding my post last week on Creativity & Vulnerability.

Many of you commented that you felt the same way which encouraged me.  So often we sit in our small corner thinking we're the only one.  But we're not the only one.

I thought I'd share some of the comments and answer a few of them.

Eva commented: Ultimately if you want to make art you will make art.  You need to ask yourself why you will do almost anything to avoid doing the one thing you say you want to do?  There is the possibility that you do not want to make art and that is why you cannot commit.

I have considered Eva's last point many times before I wrote the original post.  I have asked myself whether giving away all of my art supplies and textile supplies would be the sensible route to take.   But I know that I am supposed to be creative.  I know that I am good at what I do when I actually get down to it.  Plus it isn't just my creative life that I was thinking about in my post.  Quite often I feel as though I live on the periphery of my own life.  Commitment and vulnerability applies to all areas of life not just creativity.  But I am getting there.  Especially if I stop saying negative things to myself.

You can read all the other comments on the blog post but I think this from Beverlee summed them all up:
I saw your post via Studio 11 Eastbourne. I really enjoyed reading it - spoke to me in a BIG way! You and I are practically interchangeable in our thoughts (and more thoughts!) and struggle to just DO already! Oh the stories I could tell ... �� I do understand about the "vulnerability" - still working on that in the rest of my life too. In my own creative work experience, I needed to take the "commitment" part one step further - to include in a self-worth piece. That, even in the midst of my struggling, idea filled, planning, course taking, technique searching and overall, unproductive creative life - my creativity and I are worthy of time and commitment. It has been a very, VERY long (and still continuing) process to commit to purposefully setting aside time, then honouring and being respectful of that work time both to myself and in my time with others. Thanks so much for sharing of of yourself Bernice �� keep on moving forward beautifully!

Beverlee, thanks for taking the time and effort to write.

If you don't follow me on Facebook then here are some of the comments:
Karen: It is a real struggle between creative thought, process & product,...I find the more I create, the more it helps clarify what I'm thinking, which in turn, can often create more ideas & thinking...a creatives ongoing conundrum!!

Lorna: Thanks for your lovely words, they have certainly mirrored what I have been doing. I must take risks and instead of thinking, start creating and hopefully be pleased with what I have produced.

Sue: I loved this post Bernice! I can be an over-thinker too! I will frequently work out the problem of a piece in my head for so long that I decide that I no longer need to do it! My encouragement to you is just to run with it-do what comes to your heart. Style, voice-these evolve as you grow and expand as an artist. No matter what you do there will be an element of who you are captured within the work.

I so understand what Sue means about thinking about it for so long that there's no longer a need to do it! When I was a primary school teacher I loved all the planning but by the time I came to teach what I had planned I was bored with it.  And that's a risk with my creative work too.  I've overthought it for so long that I no longer want to carry on with it.

I had a mentoring follow-up call with Christine last week and we talked through some of these issues.  She was such a great encouragement to me.   I thoroughly recommend finding a mentor.   And following on from the reading of some of the books on creativity, I think it's really important to find like-minded people to meet with and talk to - people who will encourage you in your work - be critical when needed - supportive and understanding.  Lorna and I are going to start meeting up on regular basis.  Hopefully we will find some other like minded textile peeps who live locally who would like to join us.

Thanks again to all those who read my blog post and a special thanks to those who left comments.
Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

Books on Creativity

When I received the feedback from Christine on our mentoring days, an optional extra was to read some of the books she listed.

I started with Austin Kleon's 'Steal Like an Artist - mostly because it's small and easy to read.  He made some really interesting points so I was glad I read it.

Then I moved on to 'Imagine' by Jonah Lehrer.  This was such an interesting read.  It delves quite scientifically into how creativity works.  There are some really interesting insights into how people work collaboratively.  I really enjoyed finding out about companies like 3M and Pixar.

Christine also recommended Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way' which I have read but didn't do the 12 weeks of work.  As I couldn't find my copy I looked online and discovered Julia had written a new version called 'The Artist's Way for Retirement'.  It has some extra activities in it, however I haven't got past chapter 1.

While I was at Christine's studio she had shown me Denise Lach's 'Calligraphy' which I ordered online and then decided to buy 'Journeys into Calligraphy also.

I saw this book whilst I was at Littleheath Barn so I decided to get myself a copy.  I have done one of the activities in it.  And then I booked to go to a workshop with Bobby Britnell which I hope will help me.

And this book was mentioned in the Visual Language Book.

Whilst I was at Julia Triston's workshop in Stroud I bought a copy of her book.

I bought 'Approaches to Stitch' because it sounded interesting.

In my quest to find my voice, style and get-up-and-go (see this post), I bought this book.  I've read part of it and it's really good - if only I actually did the suggested exercises.  I was a bit put off by the chapter on chakras!

While I was on Christine's Paper Lamination workshop I bought this

And lastly I just had to have the latest Lynda Monk book.

And now I'm going to call a halt to my book purchases.  I have to!  Not because my credit card is crying but because I need to read them and do something with what I have learned from them.

What are your favourite books on creativity?

Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

Creativity and Vulnerability

I'm an over-thinker!  I don't doodle, draw or journal - I just think.  I write whole blog posts in my head.  Or write a journal page in there.  But these thoughts don't leak out anywhere.  Not into a book, or the internet or into any piece of work.

So I've been thinking about why these thoughts don't escape.   I have empty notebooks that I've bought to write in but I don't write in them.

Why is that?

I've been exploring how to find my own voice - my unique style.  I've been reading books and articles about it.  I haven't done any work.  And then I read this in a book on creativity: 'I distrust styles.  To have a style is to be trapped!' (Milton Glaser)   What!

Back to the drawing board!  Or in my case, back to the over-thinking!

I wrote about taking Risks.  I haven't taken any recently.  I told you I seem to be risk averse.  However I do have a risk planned for next week!  Can you plan risk?  Or should taking a risk be more spontaneous?  There's something to think about!!!

In my blog post about the mentoring session I had with Christine Chester I wrote this:
One of the things we discussed was my feeling that I did too many workshops and the skills and techniques I learned didn’t translate into finished pieces. Christine wrote this in the tutorial notes: “One of the key shifts in perception is that process should be subordinate to your ideas – that does not mean that process is not important – far from it. But it does mean that you are making the idea the key feature, rather than the process. This should keep the communication of your idea clearer – either visually to an audience, or at least in your mind in light of having to write artists statements.” This is quite a shift in perception for me and I am still processing it.

And the thinking and the reading and the thinking and the writing things in my head has all been part of the processing and perception shift.

Some questions arose from all this thinking:
Why do I keep taking workshops to learn new techniques?
Why haven't I found my own voice yet?
What stops me finishing things?
What stops me starting things?
Why don't I stop thinking and get on with it?
Should I have a sketchbook, visual journal or logbook?

I was encouraged by Leah Higgins blog post where she said: ' I am not a sketchbook person. All my ideas have a long gestation period in my head before I let them loose on dye and cloth.'

I'm not the only one then!  Although she does start and finish pieces.

And then . . .

. . . . it came to me!

It's about commitment and vulnerability.

The answer to all those questions is commitment and vulnerability.  If I keep on doing technique classes then I don't have to put any of me into the samples.  I haven't found my creative voice because that would mean I have to invest some of me into it.  Probably all of me!  Even writing in a journal - which is for my eyes only - means showing up and being vulnerable.  Writing it down (or speaking it out) makes it more real.

And as for commitment - that means doing the stuff!  And that takes effort.  I draw back from things that take effort.  Which is odd because when I worked, I worked hard.  I put lots of effort into everything I did.  I can be fiercely loyal and determined.  Many people would say 'I go the extra mile' for them.  So why can't I do that for me?  For my creative work?  For my relationship with God? For my relationships with friends and family?

Looking for an image to go with this post I found this piece of artwork I did in March at a retreat.  Obviously the thinking has been going on for a while!

You might be thinking - and I've been thinking it too - if I'm so reluctant to make myself vulnerable in something as private as a personal journal, why am I writing this blog post?

Because I have to break out!  Make a breakthrough!  Allow myself to become more vulnerable - to invest in  my creative life and the rest of my life.  Break down the walls that I have built around myself.

And pressing publish on this blog is just the beginning.

Thank you for sticking with my disjointed meanderings today.

Where are you on your creative journey?

Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

Faith & Creativity: Debby Hudson

Please welcome Debby Hudson today.

My husband and I are ordained ministers working with men in a residential recovery program. Walking the beaches of South Florida restores our soul. I find myself in many creative pursuits. I like my tea sweet and my music loud. If laughing were a sport I’d be a champion.

My hands are always busy. Doodling, writing, coloring, shooting photos, editing….it is a quiet busy but the eyes study, the hands move and the mind runs.

The first drawing I did that was recognized for some artistic ability was of a postal truck. I was in first grade and my drawing was chosen to be part of an exhibit at our local Sears store. I liked that my mom encouraged my interest in drawing. She never stopped.

"Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.” Titus 1:15 NLT

My art isn’t Christian. Or unChristian. Art is lessened by labels. It is an expression, an offering of sorts. More than that, it is, as Madeleine L’Engle says, “an effort toward wholeness”.

I push myself to try something new. To learn a new form or technique. To not become stagnant. The struggle isn’t with skill but with not being so critical of my work.

Another challenge for me is feeling there must be a purpose. Over the years I made more cross-stitch pictures than I had walls to hang or friends to give them to.

One year I was making paper mache Santa’s. Too many Santa’s or too few friends. And selling, while I did some of that, has never been my strong suit.

Now, it’s my computer filled with more and more photos thanks to the still life class I’m in and I ask myself, what am I going to do with this? Just let them sit on my computer? Make another photo book? How many watercolor pads can I fill with paintings? How many can I share with friends? There has to be some purpose in everything. I’m far too practical to be a real artist I think.

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” Pablo Picasso

A friend reminded me that the purpose is in sharing. Sharing touches others. To bring a spark of joy, a smile or a laugh, at times maybe a tear. With social media, sharing our art is easier than ever.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
Edgar Degas

Realizing this has opened me up to see that art is broader than paint brushes and canvases. It goes beyond musical scores and skillful fingers flying across the keys of a baby grand piano.

“Art is communication.” Madeleine L’Engle

I would even ask you to consider what is the art in you?

Tone deaf? Can’t draw a stick figure? Do you have trouble threading a needle or every photo you take is blurry?

Look deeper. I believe that God who is the masterful Creator of the universe, has made us to share in his creative process. He’s put art in you.

Preston Yancy, who writes beautifully about his spiritual journey, finds a spiritual connection in making bread. I prefer buying it ready made. I don’t get the art he finds in this but I find beauty in knowing this is what God uses to draw him closer.

Not all art is public. Nor is all art made by those called artist. It’s definition can only be defined by what God puts in your heart.

To my husband, art is a well tended golf course.

Art is a smile, a child’s laugh.

It’s a new born baby and an aging woman helped to the sea by her daughter.

It’s a daughter sitting with her mother who doesn’t remember her and loving her anyway.

Art is the orchestra and the conductor.

Art is revealing little pieces of you in everything you write.

Art is hearing God’s voice and letting it mark your life in all you do.



Thank you Debby
You can find more from Debby online at
Blog: debbyhudson.com
Twitter: @debby_hudson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbyhudsoncreative

Faith & Creativity: Mary Brack

Today's guest is Mary Brack.

Mary is a wife and a mother to adult daughters and works in church outreach ministry. Creative pursuits of art journaling, blogging, photography, and hunting vintage items keep her sane. 


“In the beginning God created….the earth was formless and empty…” Genesis 1:1-2
God took nothing and created something.

”God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

We were created by a creative God who made us in His image to be creative also. When we create, we reflect the image of God, the Creator.

Through creative self-expression we become more of who we are and who God created us to be.

Erwin McManus, in his book The Artisan Soul, says,
"He who is the Creator God is the creative God, and he created us in his image and likeness. He created us with imagination and curiosity, with the capacity to hope and dream, and he placed within us all the material necessary to live an extraordinarily creative life. The proof is that more than anything else we are a soul, and that soul is the divine material with which we are made to create. The difference between humans and every other species on this planet is that humans are artists. This is our uniqueness - we were created to create."

For me, my creativity and my faith are very closely intertwined. In fact, in times of dryness, when I am experiencing a creative block, I generally find in looking back that I was experiencing a time of dryness spiritually also. Once my spirit is refreshed, I find that my creativity is refreshed as well.

Much of the time when I create, my ideas for art journal pages come from my time spent in God’s Word and in prayer. I may make a page that has a Bible verse on it, or a page that has a quote, or just a word or two. Those quotes and words may be spiritual or not, but they have all come about as a result of my time connecting with The Creator in prayer and in the Bible – it is all created from my soul.

Over the years that I have been art journaling and making mixed media art, certain symbols appear often in my art. They are not overtly religious or spiritual symbols yet they hold spiritual significance for me. Circles, for example, remind me that God is whole and eternal and I find my wholeness in living out who He created me to be. I have a love for birds and enjoy watching them. They appear often in my art simply because I enjoy them. But they also hold a place of significance for me. We went through many tough years and those times brought us to a deeper faith and a deeper place of trusting God for provision and care. Reading Matthew 6:25-34 during those hard times would help me keep my focus on God and remind me of His care for us and that in caring He would provide what we needed. So a bird became a symbol to me of God’s care and love and a reminder that I can trust and depend on Him.

Nature is another thing that appears often in my art journaling and in my photography. Time spent in nature, walking and taking photos, is a very sacred time for me. I see all that God has created, the beauty that it holds, and it is a time of worship and praise. Nature reminds us that we are finite beings who serve an infinite, mighty and merciful God.

So, whether you look at my art pages and see a verse of Scripture or simply a quote, those pages reflect who I am in Christ. They reflect my journey and my heart. Many symbols on my art pages, while not speaking directly to the observer, reflect the ways God has transformed me and the ways He has made Himself known in my life.

Thanks Mary.
Find Mary's faith explorations of life and art at Found on Brighton.

Faith & Creativity: Valerie Sjodin

The second guest post in the series on Faith & Creativity comes from Valerie Sjodin, a longstanding guest contributor to my blog and the art challenges.


I am an artist, workshop facilitator, and certified spiritual director. My passion is encouraging people to connect with God through creativity. Teaching Art Journaling and Art & Faith workshops in person and online are ways I live out that passion and connect with other like-hearted people. My hope is to inspire people to believe in their creative ability, and to connect with God through the creative process. Taking time to listen and respond to God through art making is a natural part of my life and faith journey, a combination of being and doing, a collaboration and conversation with God. I am blessed to be living an artful life in Hillsboro Oregon, in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with my husband Keith. We have three grown married children and four grandchildren.

When Bernice asked me to write a guest post about how my faith and creativity interact, and then quoted one of my favorite books, Walking on Water, by Madeleine L’Engle, I knew it was a good fit. To be honest, I can’t separate my faith and creativity. I believe every person is creative because we are all created in God’s image, the Great Creator. For me personally, painting and praying often go hand in hand. When I paint, I find myself praying, listening, yearning for more of God in my life. The subject I paint or draw may or may not be overtly “Christian.” I don’t really like the term “Christian” artist, musician, writer etc. I believe if a person’s heart is intent on following Jesus, and creating from the heart, then what the person makes will reflect Jesus, no matter what the subject matter. Basically, what’s in comes out and because God’s creativity is unlimited, the Holy Spirit can speak through so many things in addition to the Bible, such as nature, beauty, the golden mean, color, people, story, etc. I love how Jesus used stories to explain truth, expose the heart of the hearer, with an invitation to encounter God. He approached individual people differently, often defying the cultural norms.

The limitless creativity of God inspires me to trust Him more, to risk creating outside my box, and to learn new things, therefore improving my skill. Sometimes I know what I am creating and have a plan. Other times, I just start painting or doodling. Knowing God loves me helps me to give myself permission to make mistakes instead of judging my falling short as failure. God speaks to me through the process regardless of the product.

If I had to reduce my faith and creativity down to one word, it would be GRACE: experiencing God’s unearned goodness. Grace is the God given ability to grow and flow with the Holy Spirit and do the impossible, to overcome and accomplish the purposes of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. I want more of that!

Faith, like art-making, often requires stepping out without knowing exactly what the outcome will be. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

This painting hung around my studio for months, and I would work on it now and then. I needed to paint something without a deadline or expectations. I started it as a prayer of longing to hear God and follow. I painted by faith, not knowing what it would look like. I started with color and without a plan. It wasn’t until it was finished that I knew what it meant to me: “The Beginning” when the Spirit of God hovered over the waters creating.

Most of the things I’ve learned about art making require experimenting, risking what I perceive as failure. No matter what the outcome, I move on as a more educated and experienced artist. In faith and in art, sometimes I just trust God as we walk through the process. In this season of life, I am challenged to hold on to God closer and harder than ever while trying to let go of my expectations and outcomes.

I cannot imagine my life without my faith in Christ and I cannot imagine my life without art-making. It seems like I’ve only scratched the surface of faith-filled creative expression. So exciting!

Cheers to you and your grand creative faith-filled adventure!



Thank you Valerie .
Find out more about Valerie's art and online line classes on her website.

Faith & Creativity: Susan Mulder

Welcome to the first in a new series on Faith and Creativity. Let me introduce you to Susan Mulder who I met on a retreat in Fremont, Ohio earlier this year.

An award winning, classically trained artist, Susan works in multiple media including oils, sculpture, installation and encaustics. After receiving her MFA in painting from Kendall College of Art and Design, Susan has served as an executive director for an arts organization, taught at the collegiate level, designed and led workshops for regional arts organizations, colleges and conferences and has spoken at national conferences on arts related topics including arts and entrepreneurship and religion/spirituality in art. She currently resides in Western Michigan with her husband and enjoys spending time with her growing family, reading, writing and creating.

Anomoly, 2017, 60"h x 40"w, oil & mixed media on linen

Susan Mulder: Christian Art
If you ever want to have an awkward conversation with an artist, bring up “Christian Art”. I don’t think I have ever had one that wasn’t filled with strong opinions on either side-there seems to be no middle ground. This may have to do with the fact that it is incredibly difficult to nail down what the term “Christian Art” means. Some believe it is religious art, some see it as spiritual art; but one thing we can all agree on is that it is difficult to agree.

I’ll begin by defining the terms religious and spiritual, as I will use them, because I believe there is a distinct difference in their application in regards to the nature of art. Religious represents a more didactic turn in which the work exhibits characteristics of ‘telling’. It is obvious in it presentation and leaves little room for interpretation on the viewers part. A good example would be images of the crucifixion, biblical stories and almost any image that contains a visage of Christ. Spiritual, on the other hand, is more enigmatic. The content is less direct and may be parabolic in nature, distinctly indiscernible as specifically spiritual in nature and can serve as an extension of the artists spiritual inclinations.

How this applies in my own work has been a journey. Long before I had any formal training I had an idealistic viewpoint when it came to the role of religion/spirituality in art. As an artist and a Christian I believed that I was called to be deliberate in my choice of subject matter and have a moral punch line for each piece. I worked with my church to bring about a better understanding for the role an artist could play-besides merely watering plants-in both the worship space and the worship experience. While this fed my creative nature it left me feeling constrained and, at times, not much more than a propagandist for leadership. In my attempts to create ‘good Christian art’ I was operating under the misnomer of what, I thought at the time, Christian art should be.

When I returned to complete my degrees I walked away from any idea of creating work with religious or spiritual implications. I was heavily vested in conceptual interpretations and often imbued my work with densely layered philosophical underpinnings-which I loved. I still love deeply hidden meanings in my work but the difference now is that the meaning really only applies to what happens in the creation process-which I’ll touch on in a moment. I have an undergraduate and graduate degree in painting and also work with installation, sculpture and dabbled in performance work. While working on my undergraduate degree I undertook a course of study that led me down the path of researching religion and spirituality that carried through into my graduate work. I was fortunate to have a professor who supported me (she was an art history prof.) and allowed me to spend a concentrated course of independent study that included seminary courses at an outside institution and the production of a lengthy thesis on the role of religion and spirituality within the context of contemporary art.

Pour Some Sugar on Me, 2011, 72" x 72", oil, mixed media on canvas

Following the completion of my MFA my art has undergone several permutations and, at one point, the complete suspension of any work at all. I walked away from creating for a period of about three years because I could find no reason to continue to paint. It wasn’t an existential crisis of any sort it was in response to a fresh calling to let go of everything. My personal life, my work and my spiritual life were in a season of deep transitions and when I finally went back to my work I found that the old ways of creating were of no use to me. Concept felt empty and I was forced to reevaluate what it meant for me to create.

The work I now began felt directionless but more necessary than what I had previously done. I discovered that when I was in my studio I entered into a space where I was finding a deeper expression than I had previously known. It was as if all of the training I had undergone had peeled off and I was painting from a place that lacked a definitive explanation. I couldn’t tell you the why of it, I only knew it was what I was supposed to do. That doesn’t mean I erased what I had learned-I still have a conceptual foundation based on ideas that have clung to my work all along-I just didn’t rely on knowledge but more on spirit. My work became more intuitive, abstract and, ultimately, satisfying.

It also became more spiritual. Not in the physical manifestation itself but in its creation. In my studio I encountered a kind of communication with God than I could not find anywhere else. As I worked, I found I would ease into a sense of suspended time-a kairos. I poured out my frustrations, my prayers and soul longings without the use of words. Would I call the work I am doing now ‘good’ within the context of the contemporary arts culture? Probably not. This said, the work I do now is infinitely more valuable to me as a person-it possesses meaning and purpose in a way my previous work did not.

My understanding and appreciation of the role of religion and spirituality has evolved. I use to argue the intrinsic necessity in application of both within the context of the contemporary art world. Through the experience of how my own development as an artist has transpired, I have come to value one over the other. The larger argument of religion and spirituality in art has roots that date back all the way to the reformation but I will speak only from where I stand at this point. My work itself is neither Christian nor non-Christian. It is certainly not religious but could be categorized as more spiritual - but, being abstract it can be argued that it is neither. It possesses qualities that only express themselves through individual interpretations. No one comes to a work of art without bringing their own experiential narratives to the interpretation process and, therefore, the work will be defined not by whatever intent I put into it but rather what they bring to it themselves.

Bookend, 2017, 24" x 24", oil & mixed media on carft fabric

Thank you very much Susan for your contribution to our discussion on Faith and Creativity.  Thank you for telling us about your experiences and your thought processes in creating your art.

Next time: A guest post from Valerie Sjodin

Glimpses of Jesus

I am really excited that for 2016 I am working with Simon, a member of the leadership team at my church, on a year long weekly Bible Study.  It starts on Wednesday 6th January 2016 but you can find out more today on the special blog we have set up: Glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament.

I have been hosting art challenge blogs and creative Bible studies for a while but this is my first foray into a year long, weekly Bible Study.

Each week there will be a short passage written by Simon which includes suggested further reading.  There will be a 'To think about' suggestion for people to think about or to journal about.  Whenever possible there will be a worship video and some creative responses from members of Jubilee Church.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the artwork.

Part of a poem written by Phil Clarke

Photo by Bernice Hopper

I hope you will join me in this exciting new adventure.

Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

My favourite blogs

Thank you so much to everyone who reads my blog.  I really appreciate that you give some time to reading my witterings.  Thank you also to those of you who leave a comment.  I've yet to work out how you would know if I left you a reply.  If any of you use Blogger and know the answer to this please let me know.  Thanks.

I thought I would introduce you to some of the blogs I follow.  So, in no particular order:

Me, with my head in the clouds
Mary's blog is a delight.  She shows her amazing photographs and her art work.  I particularly love her art style.

Itchifingers
I love Sandie's mix of photographs, phototutorials and information about classes and retreats.  I found the 30 day blogging challenge on Sandie's blog.  Sandie and I went owl spotting in Birmingham in the summer.

I love to read Everyday Life of a Suburban SAHM.  There's a great mix of photographs and amusing stories.

Are you beginning to see a pattern here?

I love to visit Valerie Sjodin's blog Visual Blessings.  She shares her amazing artwork.  Valerie did a piece of artwork especially for a Gratitude blog challenge I set up last year.  This is her guest post on Walk.

The things that attract me to follow blogs - and I have 53 listed on Feedly - are photographs and artwork and photographs and creativity and photographs and photo tutorials and photographs.

And that sums up my blog too!

What attracts you to read a blog on a regular basis?

Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

Introducing . . . . .

Me!

I survived a long steep walk on a hot day 

I am on day 15 of the 30 day blog challenge and I would like to welcome new subscribers and readers who use other types of blog reader.  I am so excited that you are here.

I thought it would be good to tell you a little about myself.

I was born in ......

Never mind, I won't make you read through the whole of my life!

I was under the impression that I don't share a lot about myself on this blog but maybe I have let slip more than I thought.

In brief, Roger and I have been married since 1983 and we have one son, Andy who lives in Sydney, Australia which his beautiful wife Naomi and their new baby.   Roger & I are both retired and enjoying ourselves.  We like to travel and go walking.  I love to visit Stately Homes especially those belonging to the National Trust as I have a Lifetime Membership which means we don't have to pay for us to get in!   Many of my blog posts have included photos from our walks, visits or travels.

As you have probably gathered I like to take photographs and lots of them.  I discussed my love of photography in a post about Why Photography? in two parts: part 1 and part 2.

I tend to sign up for online classes which I never finish.  I did try to cut back this year on the online classes but have attended real life workshops.  I was really thrilled to finish the fabric book I started in a Steph Redfern class.  But that was back in February 2014 and I'm not sure I've finished anything since.

I suppose that's not strictly true!  If it's a daily art challenge I've set up then I will always have finished the project as I blog about my pages every day for that month.  All of my art challenges can be found at the top of this page and can be done in your own time.

I shared about my struggle with depression when I described my choice of one word for 2014.

And random bits:
I'm totally addicted to Strictly Come Dancing and It Takes Two.   I like watching NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles and NCIS New Orleans.

I have never seen an episode of Downton Abbey or watched the film Titanic.

That's probably enough for now!   If you want to keep up with my art and my travels please subscribe to my blog via the Subscribe by Email box at the top of the page.  Or you can follow me on Twitter,  Instagram or Pinterest.

Thanks for stopping by.
Bernice

More exciting news

What word is God giving you in 2015?

His Kingdom Come will be leading our members in Logos365 during 2015.

His Kingdom Come believes that there is great power in the Word of God. Many people choose one word that represents what they want to see more of in their life during a year. There are websites and books dedicated to this. New Year resolutions come and go very quickly, but this process is allowing God to work in your life and for your focus to become His word for you that lasts an entire year in your life. People choose this word through thoughts or through a word occurring in their reading or devotion time that “speaks” to them. At His Kingdom Come we believe that God will guide us to what he wants to see more of in our lives during the year.

The logos365™ project is our way of finding your word through prayer, bible study and reflection. What do you do with your logos365™? You live with it, you invite it into your life, and you let it speak to you. You follow where it leads you. Your logos365™ is not some promise you will keep for the rest of the year to be better. The intent of your word is that it will become a part of your for the rest of your life. Your word builds upon each other each year, and springs forth from the places you feel you left off from your previous word. Each word you choose builds upon each other as God’s heart becomes embedded in your character. So, the question is

As you consider selecting a word for yourself this year, remember there is no right or wrong choice. Words like abide, abundance, obey, expect, prayer, surrender, delight, submit and listen can be a very powerful experience as you allow God to guide you in your word. This happens in your daily life, in prayer, relationships and bible study.

So how do you find your logos365™? Feel free to use the self- assessment tools posted at His Kingdom Come in the logos365™ group to help you identify your word and to set some personal goals around your word. If you have participated in a one word program before choose the logos365™ returning student worksheet, or if you are totally new to the process use the logos365™ new student worksheet.

To make logos365™ real in your life, consider keeping a logos365™ journal, or creating a scrapbook or a photo book. Keeping a journal throughout the year is crucial to making this word project not just a new year’s resolution, but a change in your walk - a transformation! If you are participating in the take me deeper process, then you can incorporate your logos365™ into your journal. If you are not participating in the take me deeper process here are some logos365™ suggestions.

Go deeper

Find out how logos365™ will impact your daily life

And draw you closer to the person God wants you to be

Will you walk out in faith with us in 2015 and live by your logos365™?

Come and have fun, faith and friendship for free at His Kingdom Come!

Join us at His Kingdom Come and sign up for the logos365™ group.