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?

Open to Adventure

Quote of the Day:  Go forth seeking adventure. Open your eyes, your ears, your mind, your heart, your spirit and you'll find adventure everywhere. ~ Wilfred A Peterson

Open the window in the center of your chest, and let the spirits fly in and out. ~ Rumi

Favorite Photos Friday:

Adventures happen on the 4th of July when celebrating with friends and family at a lake home.

Adventures happen in the kitchen when you get creative with your oft-requested fruit pizza. I'm calling this

Variation on the American Flag.

Krista, Publicist Extraordinaire

Adventure happens on a friend's screened-in porch.

JeMA, Artist and Writer Extraordinaire

Especially when you add ingredients like wine, chocolate, creative spirits, and an openness to dream and scheme about more adventures.

Mary, fueling up for more adventures

Adventure comes from being open, trusting your intuition, and listening to the voices that say, "It's okay to jump on the bike!"

The Biker Chef

Seriously, with a look like that, who could resist?

The open road, whether physical or creative, awaits you.

Jump on the bike and start your adventure today!

I'll be on a blogging break next week as I go on an adventure with my family.

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do one adventurous thing today and write about it. Make a list of adventures you'd like to take.

David playing Sam

Quote of the Day: On acting; I don't understand what could be so important or life-changing about impersonating someone else or creating a character out of thin air and presenting him as very real. But it is, to me. And again last night I felt that deep, emotional outpouring that comes from deep within. I guess acting allows me to live at a different and richer level than normal life, if that makes sense. And the more familiar I become with this script, the more envious I become because I didn't write it. Very well done. - David Allan Pundt, who is playing Sam, the Barista, in my play Coffee Shop Confessions.

David and Elvis

Love me Tender, or You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound dog?

David sent the above quote to me yesterday when I told him that I'd like to feature him on my blog today as I'm introducing the cast of my play. I did not hold auditions, which is traditionally how it's done in theatre, because I wasn't sure who'd even show up. I'm a no-name, never-heard-of play, and really, I wanted to invite people into this art who would be open to trying something new. I needed people who are willing to take a risk. I knew David enjoyed theatre. We met when he was on the board of a kids drama program in the area. I was directing the youngest kids. I've seen him in several shows in the area, and he directed Peter Pan a couple summers ago. I thought he might bite. He said YES even before he read the script. We chatted on the phone. He asked a couple questions. I told him the main premise of the play, and he was in. I was overjoyed!

The first night that we gathered and read through the play, David explained that once he was bitten by the acting bug, he's been hooked for life. Once a show is done, he grieves it, and after a few months can't eat or sleep until he has another show to prepare for. I said, "I'm glad that we can keep you from starving." And, I'm so glad he's part of the show. He adds a gentleness to this male character who is both part of the set as the owner, and an encouraging and kind male voice in a world of women who are hurting. He gets the importance of this story and wants to be part of its telling.

Here's my response to David's above quote:

Oh, David, thank you so much. My heart is overflowing. And, there I was, filled with artist angst, yet surrounded by creative spirits who lift me up.

 Thank you so much for your generous time and talent. You are an actor. You love bringing the story to life. Acting is funny, we're both someone else and more of ourselves.

Go. Create. Inspire!

I don't know what it was about Monday night's rehearsal. It was a full moon. We were all a little "punchy" from the weekend. Or, maybe it was the dye in the lollipops that I brought for props, that got eaten by the cast. But, we were on a humorous role. Sometimes, I think that rehearsals are for the actors to get the giggles out, to enjoy the script and each other before we get serious and reveal it to others. Either way, I was surrounded by the electricity of many creative spirits, and my heart sang.

Journaling Prompt:  Have you ever experienced a yes that felt like pure trust and acceptance? Does the full moon effect you?