As a Christian, I believe that God has gifted all of us with some form of creativity. Since we were made in His image, and He is the first and best Creator, we all reflect that in some form or another.
So what do I mean when I say I co-create with the Divine Artist? What does it look like to me? I figured now’s the time to describe that process just a little bit.
I start each day plunging into scripture (and coffee haha!)…
Read MoreThis week, God used conversations, events and circumstances to show me something interesting.
He likes giving amazing gifts in disguise. I think He enjoys when we trust him enough to know no matter what happens, he is using it for our good (Romans 8:28).
I made a process video of the above painting here. The funny thing is, this painting even while creating it caused me issues. The paper ripped twice,
Read MoreMy morning coffee routine never gets old. I feel as excited for the first sip each morning as if it did not happen every single day before. It struck me that my jubilee about my joe can sometimes become jumbled with my love of my Jesus. Thoughts like “well, I cant start my devotional time yet, I haven’t had my coffee.” It made me pause.
Reality check: that’s no good!
My relationship with Jesus is the best part of who I am. Without him, my artistic endeavors fall on their faces. Keeping my word? Nope. Kindness and patience? Out the window. Forgiveness? Definitely not. Nothing brings out those things in me except Him- no, not even coffee, haha.
Read MoreGifts. Talents. Innate abilities. We all have a few, even if we don’t call them that.
Some call it “a knack for.. x” I think it’s funny we do that. The Creator of the universe, who never makes mistakes, places a unique set of gifts inside of us. Instead of thankfully using them, we often hide them, reject them or jealously eye another person’s gift set. It’s akin to a little child with a pile of presents under the Christmas tree, all unopened, desperately trying to open up his sibling’s gifts instead.
Ever been there? I’d venture a yes. I know I have.
Read MoreTwo weeks ago I put on my entrepreneur’s hat to write. Today, I want to wear my scientist’s hat. Ever since I can remember, both art and science run together in my mind. If I had to guess, I would say being home-schooled by my physicist/engineer dad and art/poetry-loving mom had a great deal to do with that. In any case, the two sides appeared to be at war since I can remember. Numbers vs colors, rules vs rebellion, structure vs freedom: my brain and schedule reflected a split. I won’t bore you with the details here, but if you like that sort of thing, check out this post.
Anyways, my final thesis in graduate school took up the topic of degenerative brain diseases and how art promotes health and wellness in individuals with them. I wrote this while writing and illustrating a devotional. I was also working as an inpatient medical-surgical nurse during the early months of the pandemic. You could say I like a good challenge. More than that, though, I hope you could see how God still works miracles in all our lives today (seriously).
Read MoreVulnerability is a funny thing.
Last week I created a little process video for my Instagram page. I planned to paint an open hand and talk about the importance of vulnerability. I planned the post to be about being “open” with our struggles and the importance of vulnerability in relationships. After I painted said hand and I didn’t like it, though. I even thought about posting something else instead.
Read MoreI recently made a little how-to video on drawing for Instagram. It was fun to make because I honestly believe we all have an innate creativity inside of us. Because of that, I like to encourage it in others. However, often when I talk to most people about art the conversation goes like this:
Read MoreI love clouds. When I was younger, I would stare at clouds and see animals or faces. In the morning and at night, I love watching how white clouds change into gorgeous colors. As I walked earlier, I felt God tug at my heart. He loves us so much that He often gives beautiful paintings..
Read MoreEarlier this morning I reminisced about crisp fall days 10 years ago. I had adventured to Italy, to study art in the land and culture where some of my favorite artists had created their masterpieces. It was a gift and a challenge. Only seven other students studied in that semester’s cohort. While we lived and created in a 14th century stone and marble monastery, we traveled around central Italy and marveled at its beauty and culture.
My prayers in that monastery as I painted, sketched and studied were young artist prayers. I have the daily journal entries to remind myself that my prayers seeking God’s help were sometimes selfish and definitely passionate. It is clear looking back I was lost about what being an artist meant (and if we are honest, many of us artists are still discovering this!).
As I think back, I realized that the thing I learned about the most, more than artistic techniques or Italian culture…
Read MoreYesterday, a woman came up to my husband and I on the beach and shared some fun news- a nearby seaturtle nest was hatching its last little egg. What proceeded was a group of the three of us, growing to nine people cheering on a baby sea turtle across the beach to its ocean destination. It brought up alot of thoughts inside me. It got me thinking about what we think the world or people owe us. While in nature, animals take their lot in life and just live without comparison or a desire have things easier or different.
How often do we open our eyes and are more aware of the lists of things that need to be done than the things of things that God could do? How much more of a gift could our days be if we opened our eyes and our first thought was “I wonder what God will do today?”
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