Archives For Creativity

Creativity

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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Art Has Failed to Humanize Our Country

May 7, 2013 — 2 Comments

arthasfailedtohumanizeourcountry Art Has Failed to Humanize Our Country

I recently read A Global Perspective, a fascinating interview in the LA Times with theater director, Peter Sellars. Sellars is an UCLA professor of world arts and culture where he teaches Art as Social Action and Art as Moral Action. ​

When asked, “You’ve said that ‘art over the past 25 years has failed to humanize the country.’ How do think it can accomplish that?”​ Read on…

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Question of the Week #10: What do You Find Truly Life-Giving?

March 18, 2013 — Leave a comment

Welcome to the Question of the Week #10: What do you find truly life-giving? Answering this question just may cause you to seriously rearrange your life, schedule and priorities. If I were to peek at your “life-giving list,” there’s a good chance a lack of sleep, lack of exercise, reams of conflict and a hurried, hectic schedule would not be on your list. At least I hope not. The things you find truly life-giving are essential for cultivating a deeper, richer life. Read on…

artlifefaithquestionoftheweek10 Question of the Week #10: What do You Find Truly Life Giving?

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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…

creativityfilmmakingmentoring Creativity, Filmmaking & Mentoring (Free PDF)

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I Love Artists Who Go For It!

January 25, 2013 — 5 Comments

I love artists who go for it. Artists who go for it are people like Brian Swerdfeger, who overwhelmed me with inspiration today. Brian’s got guts and I want more of what he’s got. You see, Brian just doesn’t say he is an artist. He is practicing his artistry in a radical and bold way. He’s an inspiration for other artists to get out of their comfort zones and reach for challenging goals. Brian’s going for it in a big way. A professional musician, he was also the head of marketing at Taylor Guitar for many years. I ran into him at the NAMM show today in Anaheim and was so inspired by his story, I had to share it with you. Read on…

Brianswerfeger toneloungeguitar 225x300 I Love Artists Who Go For It!

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Do Something Different Today!

January 18, 2013 — 3 Comments

This weekend, I want to challenge you to do something totally different. Get out of your rut. Remove yourself from routine. Do something totally out of the ordinary. Do something extra-ordinary! Be creative…for God’s sake (I’m serious when I say that), you are made in His image and made for so much more!

See this picture of the puzzle? That’s what I’ll be doing this weekend. Totally different for me…Gee Joey, sounds fun. Read on.

20130118 143900 Do Something Different Today!

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3 Creative Focus Questions for 2013

January 4, 2013 — 5 Comments

For the past several years, focus has been a key theme in my life. In juggling several large writing projects and running The Grove Center for the Arts & Media (a non-profit ministry for artists), I’ve often struggled with where to focus my best energies during the day. In 2013, I am asking myself, “What is my creative focus for 2013?” (You can read my answer in the Comment Section below.)

As you move into these first few weeks of 2013, I have three simple questions that I believe will make a tremendous difference in your creative life. Asking these questions and regularly revisiting them will lead to a more fulfilling, meaningful and productive year. I recently read a Steve Jobs interview where he talked about the importance of focus… Read on…

3creativefocusquestionsfor20131 3 Creative Focus Questions for 2013

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Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus?

November 28, 2012 — 1 Comment

Welcome to the Art, Life & Faith Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus? Okay, I know that may be a risky question for some of you, so I’ll go first. I’m not going to lie to you. As a writer, producer and executive direction of a non-profit organization, I frequently wrestle with interruptions, distraction and lack of focus in my work. Did you hear that? Frequently!

artlifefaithquestionoftheweek6 Question of the Week #6: How do you handle interruptions, distraction or lack of focus?

I can’t claim that I suffer from ADD, ADHD, or TBI (traumatic brain injury), though I do know several people who do. I don’t think I’m alone on this focus issue. Artists and creative people aren’t the only ones who have to deal with interruptions, distractions and lack of focus. Read on…

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