“I have felt joy and witnessed so much beauty. I want to capture it all on canvas or in a journal, with paint, scissors or a pen. It doesn’t matter how. I want to bottle it up in imagery to save for later and to share it with others.” ~ Jeniffer Hutchins, from the artist’s journal. ~

From time to time I’d like to feature other artists or writers who spur us on, creatively. Today please meet Jeniffer Hutchins at JoyfulArts Studio . Even if you’ve never lifted a paint brush, her site - which oozes creativity - will stir something new in you:

Check out:
JoyfulArts Studio

Free Visual Journal Workshop by artist Jeniffer Hutchins:

“Write It Down” Visual Journal Workshop is a workshop designed to cover the basics of keeping a Visual Journal. It is broken down into two short sessions. Jeniffer shares:

“Through video presentations, photographs and printable workshop handouts, I will show you a variety of books and journals that I have worked from, simple materials you can use and a sample of completed journal pages. This will serve as a diving board so you can jump right in. After this tutorial you will be ready to start experimenting on your own, participate in upcoming journal prompts and sign up for future workshops which will focus on more in-depth techniques and themes.”

(The workshops are password protected pages but all you need to do is register - it’s free. Information is at the bottom of Jeniffer’s page ).

~ How to Create a Journal Page

~ Interview with Jeniffer Hutchins about Visual Journaling

Enjoy, and Happy September!

What I learned this summer:

* When words fail me, I use my hands.
* The keyboard doesn’t own me.
* Sometimes all I make is a mess.
* Sometimes I make a thing of beauty.
* Saying no to certain requests allows me time to love on my family.
* To build a memory is worth the effort.

Hope you enjoy my cake photos:

“A happy life is … built up of … little clumps of violets noticed by the roadside, hidden away almost so that only those can see them who have God’s peace and love in their hearts.” ~ Edward Wilson

“In difficulties, I can drink freely of God’s power and experience his touch of refreshment and blessing — much like an invigorating early spring rain.” ~ Anabel Gillham

“Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air, and you.” ~ Langston Hughes

“The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us — and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love, every moment of excistence a gift of grace.” ~ Thomas Merton

“I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:12-13

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20

Is there something you want to write or do, but instead, you slide into doubt? Maybe you don’t feel creative. Maybe ideas sprout in your mind, but you’re not sure you can pull it off. You let them wilt. Be encouraged:

The Spirit moves in us, giving us the mind of Christ that feeds our creative life. This abundance is scary; it is deeper than we can imagine. What would we do if we were experiencing God continually, available in every minute to use our abilities fully for him? It is too much for our little selves to handle. So don’t handle it. Do the thing God has put in front of you. Start there and be fully available to the new thing he will accomplish as you do it.” ~ Alice Bass

Too often I’m focused on my lack instead of His provision. The thought of failing stops me from trying. Today I remember that God accomplishes through me when I’m willing to do the next thing, and simply trust.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” ~1 Corinthians 2:9

Today’s quote comes from Creative Resources for the Christian Artist, from a page entitled Art for Healing. Whatever creative medium you enjoy - painting, sculpting, visual journaling, collage-making, quilting, beading, etc - I’m sure you’ll be encouraged.

“When I sit down to paint or sculpt, and I have something that I am grappling with, here is how I use art for healing. I find the verse in Scripture that I must hold fast to. When I have meditated on it and prayerfully talked to my Father about the situation, I settle down to play with my art supplies.

Most often by then I have already found my peace, but sometimes there is a part of me that stubbornly remains restless. A part of me that is plagued by doubts. The various ‘What if..?’ scenarios would play out in my mind, if I allowed them to. But I force myself to refrain. Instead, I apply myself to the creative process. My work then becomes a conversation with God.

To my surprise, in my anxious conversations with God, He brings healing through the process of creating art.”

Creativity
Art for Healing
Christian Poetry & Art
Relief Sculpture of Passion

“The artist is not a special kind of person. Every person is a special kind of artist.” ~ Eric Gill

Happy June, all you creative people! Here you’ll find some interesting resources for your perusal. Hope something inspires you to continue down the creative path. The article The Healing Power of Art especially moved me. The photo comes to you from Ann Hamilton’s art studio in Alabama, where she frequently hosts art retreats for the soul. I would love to go there, wouldn’t you?

First stop: The New Renaissance Rising: “The resources, materials and ideas on this site are designed to Equip, Connect and Inspire artists and churches of all denominations for their place in God’s renewal of the arts, and the art’s role in God’s transformation and redemption of the world.”

Other Resources:
Global arts initiative: StoneWorks
CIVA: Christians in the Visual Arts
ACT: Artists in Christian Testimony
Art Retreat: Art for the Soul Retreat
Arts & Media: Art Within
Books on art & imagination: Christian Imagination

Art sites/blogs:
Visual arts community:
Ascribing Artists
Experiencing God through the arts:
Vertical Creativity

Articles:
1. The Healing Power of Art
2. Stirring up Gifts: Christian artists seek place in church ministry
3. Faith Shared on Broadway

“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing… to find the place where all the beauty came from” ~ C.S. Lewis