The Power of Art

Quote of the Day:  My imagination can picture no fairer happiness than to continue living for art. — Clara Schumann

The artist alone sees spirits. But after he has told of their appearing to him, everybody sees them. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Last Friday, I mentioned that I'd gone to summer camp with my family. It's a church camp with a fine arts feel. The topics for discussion were on people who were inspired by God to create something that changed how people think. We had an excellent teacher, Nancy Koester, a religion teacher from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, who loves history. We had an artist who used the above tools to bring stories to life through his painting. He is a science teacher turned pastor turned touring artist. (More on him later). We had fine musicians who filled the room with sound and invited everyone in. And, we had a preacher who had us singing the Psalms and showed us how they hold the messages and healing that get us through the hills and valleys of life.

On Monday, Nancy gave us some background on the composer, George Frideric Handel and his famous choral piece The Messiah. He spent much of his early career writing operas. Operas at the time were rowdy events, much like sporting events today. Really. People came and booed and cheered and jeered. So, when Handel wrote The Messiah, people didn't know what to make of it. Where should it be performed, they wondered? It's too much like opera to be performed in a church. It's themes are too spiritual and sacred to be performed in an opera house. He was rejected and criticized and pushed away. At one point in his life he was so poor, he nearly ended up in debtor's prison. And, now, you can hear parts of The Messiah in many types of churches, colleges, community choirs, and even on Youtube. This is where the Halleluiah Chorus comes from. (Comment below or on facebook if you've ever sung any part of this piece.)

On Tuesday, Paul Oman painted a murial while we watched and listened to a recording of The Messiah.

He preps the canvas the day before he paints for an audience.

Each brush stroke reveals the image he has of the story.

Watching Paul paint is like reading a story.

Each line and color adds more details.

I find myself trying to predict what he will make from certain parts of the painting. The "board" sticking out on the left seemed out of place, at first.

He puts his canvas on a rotating easel.

He paints upside down and sideways, getting the best angle, fascinating us with his perspective, and keeping us guessing as to what will be revealed.

All the while, the mighty chorus is singing some beautiful parts of The Messiah. Paul's brush strokes, at times, moved to the rhythm of the music. As Paul's vision became clearer, the music became more powerful, and we all sat in awe.

The Holy Spirit was shining down on all of us.

I have plans to write an article about Paul Oman's murial ministry, Drawn to the Word. He has painted in nearly every kind of church throughout the United States, and has hopes of going international. He said he can bring any story to life through his art, not just Bible stories. Do any of you know of a good publication for his story?

I'll write more this week on our education and fun at Mount Carmel camp near Alexandria, MN. On Wednesday, we learned about Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Who knows where your inspiration will lead?

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever felt so inspired to create something that you knew it came from a Higher Power?

Mural Ministry

Quote of the Day:  What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?  - Vincent Van Gogh

 A muslin canvas is stretched over a handmade frame, measuring about 5x7 feet. The artist, Paul Oman, sets the stage for us as we enter the chapel.  What will he paint?  What's the Bible story for tonight?  How can he finish a painting within an hour's service?

Throughout the week, we have been gazing at the fruits of his labors, marveling at the details of murals painted while Bible stories are read and the music plays.  What stories are represented in these paintings?

Paul said that he likes to ask the viewers what stories they see in the paintings.  The answers can be very creative, especially if you weren't in attendance when he painted these murals.  While I sat through services and listened to speakers this past week, I'd look at these murals and imagine myself inside the painting.  The one with the fire is called Mount Carmel, and I see the great power of the Holy Spirit, coming in wind and flame to give you inspiration, courage, creative hearts, and love.  The one at the sea makes me think of "Fishers of men (and women)."  I also see the journey.  The ships are beckoning me from my safe shore into unchartered waters.  Where will my ship sail?  When will my ship come in?

The creator and his art interacting.  What do you see taking shape?

Small children are just below my photo frame (I wish I had lowered my viewpoint), heads on hands, glued to the action, mesmerized by art unfolding before their eyes.

First, a hand, then a face appear, and strokes of light and movement.

Paul said he was nervous about this painting. He said he was trying something new that was challenging him as an artist.

Do you hear words being whispered?  Do you feel the emotions of this young woman?  What will happen next?

I wanted a close-up of her face. Paul intentionally lets paint drip, to form tears, movement, and streams of light.

Paul and his painting. 

I see the Holy Spirit with Mary, and Paul, filling them, inspiring them, and whispering...

Go. Create. Inspire!

Paul said that he began drawing around the age of 10.  He originally went to college to be a veterinarian.  He ended up being a science teacher, and said that he continued to use art to learn and to teach.  He felt called to the ministry and became a pastor.  He was in a small parish, attendance was low during Lent, so he took a risk with a vision that he'd had - to paint a mural during a worship service while the lessons were read and songs and hymns played and sung.  The first year, he had his usual 40 attendees.  The next year, 200 people showed up.  When he did it again, 400 people came to the service.  Soon, he was sharing it with other congregations and at Mount Carmel family camp where I first saw him paint, four years ago.  This May, he resigned from his safe and secure pastor job, and embraced his true calling, Mural Ministry.  He has bookings through next Easter.  To learn more about Paul Oman, his art, and his ministry, go to his website.  He wants this experience to be available to everyone, no matter the size of your congregation, or where you live.  They'll help you find creative ways to bring him in.

Journaling Prompt:  What do you see in Paul's Paintings?  Have you ever witnessed art evolving in front of your eyes?  If you took a leap of faith, where would you go? What would you be doing?