Archives For artist

Have You Seen The Grove’s New Website?

May 8, 2013 — 2 Comments

visitthegrovewebsite Have You Seen The Groves New Website?

For the past eleven years, I have led a ministry called The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. I have the incredible privilege of working with a lot of creative and amazing artists: writers, filmmakers, musicians, singer-songwriters, visual artists of all kinds, poets, dancers, photographers and just about every kind of artist imaginable. The mission of The Grove is to cultivate the spiritual growth and creative work of artists. We do this through Grove Gatherings, Getaways, and Generosity.

Here on Art, Life & Faith, I haven’t told you much about The Grove because I wanted to wait until I could show you in a visually compelling way what our ministry with artists is all about. So now, ta-dah…I’d like to invite you to visit our brand new website. I’d love your thoughts and feedback. If you really like it, I’d like to ask you to consider sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, your blog…whatever social media sites you favor. Read on…
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Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Blog Posts for Feb. 2013

March 6, 2013 — Leave a comment

Here are the Top 10 Art, Life & Faith blog posts for February, 2013. As I meet with artists and art leaders from across the country, I see a growing intentionality among artists to cultivate their spiritual growth and the creative gifts God has given them. As artists pursue the beauty, truth and goodness of God, the natural outflow influences their creative and imaginative gifts. I’ve seen an enthusiastic response of artists spending more time on Art, Life, & Faith watching the artist interview videos, reading and posting comments. Last month, the average time spent on the site was 21 minutes per visitor…the highest ever. Most important though, is helping you cultivate a deeper relationship with God and how to pursue excellence in your given craft…all to the glory of God. Read on…

artlifefaithtop10blogpostsfebruary2013 Top 10 Art, Life & Faith Blog Posts for Feb. 2013

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Cultivate Your Creative Calling

February 28, 2013 — 1 Comment

If you’re an artist and you’ve been discouraged by setbacks, wondering if it’s all worth it, I want to remind you that it takes work to cultivate your creative calling. One of the pure tests of whether you’re an artist or not is questioning your creative calling in the first place. Being an artist is not a fixed and static reality like a math equation: 2 + 2 = 4. Okay, we get that. In pursuing your art form, you will face challenges, questions, hardship, financial struggle, heartache and doubt. Read on…

cultivateyourcreativecalling Cultivate Your Creative Calling

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Creativity, Filmmaking & Mentoring (Free PDF)

February 22, 2013 — Leave a comment

What role does mentoring play in the life of an artist? How can an artist cultivate their creativity through an older, wiser mentor? How can artists improve their craft by pursuing a mentor? Whether its filmmaking, writing, music, dance, visual art, or any other art form, there are critically important links between creativity and mentoring in the life of an artist. A mentor can provide an aspiring artist the necessary wisdom and life experience to help navigate the unavoidable personal, professional, and spiritual challenges that emerge as one pursues their creative calling. Today, I want to share with you a great interview with Charlie Matz, Bub Kuns, and Ian Nelson with Veracity Colab about creativity, filmmaking and the role of mentoring from Create: Transforming Stories of Art, Life & Faith. Read on…

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Question of the Week #9: What Do You Enjoy Most about Creating Art?

February 21, 2013 — 2 Comments

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #9: What do you enjoy most about creating art? As a writer, there are days when I’m not sure if I’m working or playing. I simply love to write. The same can be said for any kind of art that you truly enjoy creating. If you didn’t enjoy and actually love the process of creating, there’s a very good chance that you’d never become an artist. Read on…

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Question of the Week #7: What Do You Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Understand Your Art?

January 29, 2013 — 7 Comments

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #7: What do you say to someone who doesn’t understand your art? Let’s face it: Artists are probably the most misunderstood tribe on the planet. I have talked with so many artists who struggled with frustration, hurt, and resentment from being misunderstood. Whether as a young child, a teenager, or adult, some (not all) artists have had their dreams squashed from friends and family who do not understand what makes them tick. Read on…

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Artists & Marketing: Don’t Vote for Other People

January 24, 2013 — Leave a comment

I know many artists who say they’re terrible at marketing. How are you at selling your art? When it comes to marketing and selling your art, are you like many artists who would rather be dragged across broken glass? Marketing feels so “commercial.” Or egotistical. Or “beneath me.” Or above me…who would want to buy my art? Does trying to sell your art feel like taking your clothes off in public? Why subject yourself to rejection or people not understanding your art?

artistsmarketingdontvoteforothers Artists & Marketing: Dont Vote for Other People

All these myths, errant ideas, self-sabotaging beliefs create huge walls to professional and yes, financial success. As the author of twenty published books who has more rejection slips than acceptance letters (I keep a big thick file of ‘em), I have one simple principle that can make a tremendous difference in your attitude about marketing. Read on…

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Thomas Merton: Thoughts on Creativity & Writing

November 13, 2012 — Leave a comment

Thomas Merton is my favorite spiritual writer. This now-dead Trappist monk and brilliant writer who lived a quiet and creative life of prayer at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, is one of the keenest theological minds of the 20th century. His thoughts and theology on creativity, the writing life, the restorative work of the Trinity and the kingdom of God on earth are elegant, weighty musings.

merton 1 Thomas Merton: Thoughts on Creativity & WritingThe best way I can describe reading Merton is this: Imagine Thomas Merton holding your head in a bucket under water for a few minutes. Suddenly, he pulls you up for air—a moment of brilliant clarity! You take a deep breath and then, he plunges you back down again! You don’t speed-read Merton. He has many thought-provoking thoughts on creativity and the writing life that I’d like to share with you today. I hope you find them as encouraging and insightful as I do. Read on…

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Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #4: What would you say to an artist struggling with a project?

October 26, 2012 — 5 Comments

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #4. How many artists do you know that are stuck and struggling? What would you say to an artist struggling with a project? Maybe you’re one of them? I’m interested in knowing how you get out of a creative funk and how you would help another artist? What do you do when the words on the page are a garbled mess? What happens when you can’t nail that dance move? How do you dig deep when it’s Take #19 after you’ve flubbed Takes #1-18? What happens in your spirit when that plein air painting is more of a mix between Jackson Pollock and Picasso?  Read on…

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Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #3: As an artist, what does a good day look like?

October 12, 2012 — 8 Comments

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #3.

What does a good day look like for you as an artist? I’m a writer, so most of my work is done creating by myself. I have good days and bad days with whatever I’m working on. So, I’m always curious what a good day looks like for other artists like you? I’m interested in the rhythm and flow of your day.  What is going on in your heart and mind? How are you interacting with the work you’re creating? How do you deal with creative challenges? What does the integration of your art, life & faith look like as you work on your craft?  Read on…

artlifefaithquestionoftheweek3 Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #3: As an artist, what does a good day look like?

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