Creating For The Seasons

Artists need structured projects for a host of reasons, but I'll mention a few here. It puts parameters on the freedom we have to create as we desire. It creates a goal to press toward with deadlines attached to it. If you are given the commission by a friend then you have some form of accountability and criticism - it keeps you going. All of these are healthy reasons for an artist to keep some structure to your discipline as an artist.

So here is what I am asking you to join me in. What would it look like if we took this Lent and engaged its spiritual overtones and themes in order for those to guide the production of 1-3 works of art? Keep the concepts and ideas you are working on in progress. I am not asking you to abandon what you are currently working on. But, I am asking you to create something within the season of Lent and see what becomes of it.

I want you to consider for two reasons: 1. The experience of creating in the season will keep your mind renewed to the themes of Lent focusing on scripture, prayer and your walk with Christ. 2. The Church, not just Trinity, but the Church universal could use more art that is consciously created for the sake of exalting and amplifying the truths we hold dear. We need better songs. We need better paintings. We need better writings. (...And the list goes on and on.) Do this while you are diligent in your other works.

Here are some themes to dwell on as we enter the season and you can bear these in mind as you create.

Penitence and confession of sin
Christ as absolution for sin
Darkness and the World's need for reconsiliation with God
Jesus' persecution, crucifixion and burial (Holy Week)

Let me know what you decide to work on! I'd love to see what God does through you. Drop me a line.

Here is something I painted during Lent a couple of years ago as an example. I was contemplating the sins of my grandfather and his generation in order to grow acquainted with my own sin.

Trinity Artists Interview Series: Thomas Hardy



Meet Thomas Hardy, an architect who can find the design beauty in everything from buildings and roads to the graphics of a newspaper article. Read on to learn how he deals with writer’s block, how the Large Hydron Collider inspires him, and why ravens are awesome.

Anti-Manners on the Beltline

Greetings good people, we felt we should promote this event as there are a number of Trinity artists collaborating on this thing - Helen Hale, Daniel Bass, Aaron Hodgins, Holly Evans, Joel Seibel, etc! So, go and enjoy.

On Nov 6, in a clearing along the BeltLine just north of Piedmont Park, you'll find a 30 foot picnic table covered with a feast of meat, apples, corn, potatoes, and warm rolls all lit by glowing light. Revelers will join you as you sit down at the table to eat, you'll toast one another and take long swigs from deep jugs of wine. Dancers will appear as if from nowhere and eaters, amid the flailing limbs, will become performers themselves, flipping, throwing, swigging, munching, twirling, singing, toasting, cheering, flinging, eating and swirling.

 Join Dash, Nov 6 for ANTI MANNERS a Dance/Feast featuring the lovely Helen Hale. 30 folks (maybe you?!) will sit at the main dinner table, sign up here if you want a spot! However, ALL are welcome. Everyone else will sit on picnic blankets watching the messy, whimsy-filled peformance, eating delicious fruits, drinking strong wine, enjoying the night air and welcoming fall time.

FREE
BeltLine just North of Piedmont Park behind Amsterdam Walk -- be brave, you'll find it.
Park wherever
Bring whomever
Stay however long
Bring a blanket, a candle, a flask, and a bib.

LOVE DASH Facebook event.

The Man Who Ate New Orleans! Last Supper

Earlier this week, filmmaker Michael Dunaway stopped by the blog to talk about, among other things, his most recent project The Man Who Ate New Orleans!, a documentary following a pastor’s mission to eat at every restaurant in New Orleans, all 600+ of them.

Soon Ray Cannata will be crossing that finish line. On Friday, October 21, he’ll eat his “Last Supper” at Besh Steakhouse in New Orleans. And everyone’s invited to watch it happen. So if you or someone you know will be in New Orleans that night and you want to give money to a good cause, you can buy tickets at http://thelastsupper.eventbrite.com/.

"Staging Narrative" Theater Workshop

In conjunction with the release of The Letters of Samuel Beckett, Volume 2: 1941-1956, Emory University is offering a free workshop with actor Barry McGovern on Saturday, October 22^nd from 11 am -12:30 pm. Aimed at theater artists and writers, the workshop will discuss “McGovern’s experience in adapting Beckett’s prose to stage performance…highlight[ing]…movement, spatial and vocal dynamics, and timing.” If interested, you need to register by October 18: http://www.gs.emory.edu/beckettletters/calendar/index.php?entity_id=561.