Borrowing Images

A friend and I spent the weekend at an arts retreat near Pittsburgh. Having never been to anything like this, my expectations were nil. I was just excited to get away for a few days with my pastels, sketching pencils and camera. A whole weekend devoted to nurturing and encouraging the artist within. Delightful...[The photo above was taken after the Saturday rain.]

I heard some great talks, but the greatest was that of Howard Zehr, professor of Restorative Justice at EMU and he's an amazing documentary, landscape and portrait photographer. Howard is the most gentle and humble man I've ever met. He uses his creative gift of photography as meditation, as a way to slow down and really see the world and it's people. I have always enjoyed photography myself, I'm always behind the camera and never in front of it. That's how I like it. But listening to him and his views on photography gave me a whole new respect for the art. I will share a little with you here. And more to come later.

Howard noticed that the average verbiage used for photography is a bit aggressive, think about it: "point and shoot cameras." "Take the shot." He sees photography so differently, for instance, "Taking photos," instead, he says we are "receiving photos" or "borrowing the image." They are a gift and the subject ought to be respected. I've never thought of respecting the landscape when I'm peering at it though my viewfinder. However, I do appreciate God's immense creativity in crafting such beauty.


When I've traveled overseas, my camera is with me. Often I don't feel comfortable "receiving" (taking) photos of people without their permission. It makes me feel as if I'm invading their privacy. While in Jerusalem last year, I was overtaken by the sacredness of the Western Wall, or Wailing Wall. I was unprepared for the deep emotion that surfaced on my heart. As I stood in the large plaza surrounded by travelers from all countries and many local Israelis, this man caught my eye. What caused me to "borrow his image?" Maybe it was the unexpected curly horn under his left arm. Possibly the way he's shielding his eyes from the bright morning sun. Or maybe it's the unspoken story that is forever carved onto his face.

Now, a year later and reflecting on this image again, I have great respect for this Hebrew man. The image contrasts the young Israeli army recruits in the background to this man's old but kind face. Guns in the hands of the young soldiers and an ancient horn in the hand of the old fellow. What was this man's day like leading up to the moment I saw him through my lens? What did he have for breakfast? Did he kiss someone goodbye as he left his home earlier? I ask myself, how can my photography be used to show respect for people, accurately tell their story or create mystery and wonder. How can I create something that invites others into an opportunity to see with their heart instead of just their eyes.

I'm still processing all the wisdom and insight that Howard offered us at his talk over the weekend but I'm praying that it will make me more aware of the beauty to be "borrowed" as I peer through the lens of my camera.

Grace & peace on the creative Journey ~ deAnn

(c) 2008 deAnn Roe of Vertical Creativity. Can be used with permission by contacting deAnn

Heading West

My soul is longing for some time away. I'm happy to report, I'm heading west this weekend. Not WEST as in Colorado or Wyoming, but west as in near Pittsburgh. Yes, a friend and I are attending an arts retreat called "Beyond Word - Imagining a Visual Spirituality." And I can NOT WAIT (we leave in 2 hours!)

Connecting with God through our creativity....anyone who reads this blog or knows me personally KNOWS that's my mission, my heart, my passion...to connect with God through the creative life He's given me AND to help other do the same.

Our creativity is something we keep forever. It's not simply something "fun" to explore while in grade school. Exploring our creativity as an adult can be even MORE FUN - what creative desire lies on your heart? Lying there, near death and you hear that little Still Whisper every now and then saying, "give it CPR, don't let it fade. Your creativity is a gift I gave to you before I even dreamed up the stars and the galaxies."

God loves us so much, so very much, that He gave us a unique gift - a gift that is uniquely yours - your creative life. It's my prayer that you'll accept the gift and explore it deeply.

Our Creator longs to see His kids create beautiful images, music and expression - Just imagine the fridge He must have and there is space for your art to hang on the right on the front. Just like all parents do with their children's masterpieces.

What is your masterpiece? What's holding you back from creating it - from living into the gift given to you by our Father? Take a moment, quiet yourself and ask God to show you your creative gift, for courage to explore what it is and ways you can deepen your relationship with Him through it.

grace & peace on the creative journey ~ more to come after I return from the arts retreat ~ deAnn

Shared Experience

It's amazing, these photo field trips. A group of people snapping shots at the same location, (as shared experience) but our photos are so very different. It's just a testament to how uniquely crafted each person is, God didn't make two alike. Enjoy the following photos that were taken by Kevin Henderson and make sure you stop by his website to view the rest.

Sunrise over Lake Redman

I love the simplicity of this shot.

Kevin has more photos on his Flickr.com webpage. You gotta go check them out! Also check out Cliff's fantastic photos from the day, go to VC ~ Photography.

Check back to this site or the VC~Photography site (see link to the right) for info on the November Photo Field Trip and other photographic challenges, more on this idea later!

(What's an art community without a little fun and games, huh?)

Thanks guys for sharing your photos.

Grace & peace on the creative journey ~ deAnn

If You Can't Laugh At Yourself...

Oh my gosh, I'm such a dork. Clifton was on our photography field trip on Saturday and after reading my post that day, he emailed me to tell me that the reflections picture is UPSIDE down. Of course, I didn't want to believe I'd so such a silly thing. But I just took a closer look and sure enough, it is upside down! So, here is the photo in the right orientation. :0)

Grace & peace with a side dish of humility ~ deAnn :0)

Beautiful Mysterious

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead...his eyes are closed." Albert Einstein

I don't have a long list of "things I must do or see before I die," but to see the Northern Lights with my own eyes and heart is something I must do before I depart this spinning rock. To witness the vivid colors gently dance under the heavens as if performing only for me...I can't even imagine. God is so creative and a lover of all colors.

Maybe our next photo field trip can be to Alaska to capture the moving night sky paintings. Okay, now we just need someone who can fund such a trip! :0)

grace & peace on your creative journey...deAnn

With Camera In Hand

I just returned home from our photography field trip to Lake Redman. My fingers are still not functioning at 100% due to the 35 degree temperature at 7am. The playful mist danced over the water surface as it celebrated the dawn of a new day.

What a brilliant sun filled morning were given. As the sun rose higher and higher, the vivid fall colors illuminated the water's edge. Some parts of the lake were so still, a mirrored reflection occurred.


It really hit me that exploring our creativity brings us to a place we don't often go - a place of awareness, stillness, and patience. Walking around with a camera in hand is a wonderful feeling. Our eyes scanning the landscape, looking for opportunities to capture the wild. Ears sensitive to sounds you'd usually ignore - geese coming in for a landing on the lake's water runway. Rustling in the thick woods signaling the presence of deer. Our senses are on high alert as we hope our reflexes are fast enough to catch the sights before they disappear. Awareness...

With camera in hand, constant movement isn't always necessary. Staying in one spot and observing the surrounding in detail can be quite rewarding. We look for things out of the ordinary, giggle and then capture the shot just for fun. Such as the two ghost "Peeps" below - which I spotted lying alongside the road. It just made me laugh!

Remaining still is hard for those of us who move constantly! But you never know what you'll see or discover when you take time for stillness, and just wait... we may capture something that we never thought we could - like the Bald Eagle in the photo below (or at least, it sure looks like one!) What a gift!

It's easy for me to get excited and want to hurry to next neat place, but patience is required for those really special shots. (Patience and a digital camera so you can keep re-taking the shot!) But I need to be patient with myself most of all. Being fully present and aware of God's beauty and sensing His pleasure in the stillness, receiving His gift for me in that moment. That is why exploring our creativity is important to God - because we use the part of us He gave, the part we rarely give ourselves time to enjoy...

So, may you use your creative gift to see the things of God ~ grace & peace, deAnn

Sing Your Song

Below are lyrics from one of my favorite bands, ever. I was listening to them today and sensed God speaking to me, "I gave you a song, My love. Sing."

What is your "song?" The special song that God gave to you - to sing and sing loudly?

As you read the lyrics and would like actual music to go along with the song, go to Thoughtful Wonderings, scroll down to the bottom on the page to the "playlist" and click on the second song in the list...

I waited patiently for the Lord.
He inclined and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of the pit
Out of the miry clay.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song.
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long, how long, how long
How long to sing this song?

You set my feet upon a rock
And made my footsteps firm.
Many will see, many will see and hear.

I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
I will sing, sing a new song.
I will sing, sing a new song
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
How long to sing this song?
~"40" by U2

Many will not see or hear if you never sing...so sing - sing loudly!

grace & peace on the creative journey...deAnn

Red Rose & Craziness

You've heard the cliche, "stop and smell the roses," right? If you want to read a little about the origin of this phrase, you can check out this website. This awesome photo was taken by Cliff Kern - to view his close up shots of a praying mantis - go to the VC-Photography page.

This past week, I've been a blog-slacker. No posts in seven days! I've been completely consumed with a work project that I've not once stopped to smell the roses...I've not spent any time appreciating the beauty and grace that surrounds me. And I suffer when this happens.

I can easily get frustrated with myself when these "seasons" hit - but I just have to remember to extend myself a little grace. Creativity is patient, just as God is. This crazy busy season will soon pass and my currently stifled creativity will flow once again - the sooner the better if you ask me!

As I opened up Cliff's email today revealing this brilliant red rose, I sensed God gently saying to me, "I'm here when you're ready. I will not leave. Ever. This rose is for you, take time to slow down and see, really see, all that I have for you."

Grace and peace on the crazy-busy creative journey called life... deAnn

True Art (Appreciation)

True art takes note not merely of form but also of what lies behind.
::: Mahatma Gandhi :::

What a fantastic and thoughtful quote by Gandhi (would you expect anything else from him, really?)

"True art." This eludes that there is untrue art or false art out there in the world. That makes you think, huh...

Gandhi says it's what behind the art that makes the art truly great art. Often when I see a painting or drawing or sculpture, I'm drawn to it because it's visually stimulating or it "speaks" to me on some unexplainable level in my heart. But, more often than not, I see a piece and think, "well, that's nice" and there is no real emotional connection. However, a human created that piece of work. A human with a life story. If I can understand the artist's life - their struggles, joys, what inspired their work - I can appreciate their work more deeply. This goes especially if a particular art piece makes NO SENSE to me at all - hearing or reading about the artist helps me enter their world and then their work has more meaning to my soul.

As a child, I was beyond bored in art galleries and museums. It was complete torture - you couldn't touch anything, you had to speak with a whisper and come on! What is this stuff anyways? But rarely was I "introduced" to the artist. This made the art seem lifeless and rather flat - where's the story? I need the story behind the art - I want to enter the heart behind the art. I'm still this way today. But now it's an epidemic.

The visual aspects of a piece of work is only half the experience for me. That's not true, I'd say the visual aspects are only one-third the experience for me. The remaining two-thirds are understanding the artist's life and heart. Then I go back to their work with that framework in mind. Wow - now that is a strong way to appreciate art and the one who created it.

For me, that is true art appreciation.

Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

Painting Fear

I'm sharing a post I wrote back in May 2007 about an image that was lingering in my heart and the struggle it was to see it land on the canvas. I hope this encourages you in some way or another...to keep exploring your creative voice, listening to God's voice and expressing what you sense in your spirit. Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

For several months I’ve been collecting acrylic paints, canvases and brushes. I even purchased a table top easel and a painting pallet. These items have been collecting dust in the corner of our dining room. The excuse I use for not painting is I have no room. Sure, I could set everything up on my dining table but where would we eat?

This weekend my husband and boys were away and I had the whole house to myself from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon. It was lovely. Saturday I got up and had “paint” on my Wish I Would Do List. It was towards the bottom. A few months ago I traveled to Israel and while there God implanted an image in my heart, in words it would be “move with God.” I see the image and have desired to paint it for some time. Saturday - I had the opportunity, no cooking meant no need for the dining room table.

A bit reluctantly I set up my easel, got out my paints, pallet and brushes. Then I walked away from it, scared to death of that screaming white canvas. I see the image in my mind as clear as day – but how do I get it out? I stared blankly at the canvas as I didn’t know where to begin. I grew frustrated. So, I sat down and turned on the TV. From my sofa I could see the canvas sitting quietly and patiently there on the easel – watching my every move. I tried to ignore it. Fear of everything hindered me from creating an expression from God.

Finally, I got up, walked over and said “FINE! I’ll paint!” I squirted some pale yellow paint on my pallet then mixed it with white and slathered it over the entire canvas. “Oh, that felt kinda good” I thought to myself, “now what?” I gravitated towards shades of green then painted a swirly line from one corner diagonally to the opposite corner, this dark green line represented God. I filled a narrower brush with a pretty apple green color and created a companion line right next to the God line. This apple green line represented me, how close I want to be with God and to move with Him all the time.

“What’s next?” That’s all God gave me to see. “But there must be more!” The canvas looked empty. So, I painted with blues: big circles and little circles on the upper diagonal half. They represented my dreams and hopes, but I didn’t really like it. What I painted on the lower diagonal half was even worse! I couldn’t stand this painting! Back to the sofa and a funny movie in hopes of finding laughter, which I really needed at that point. “Why did I spend all this money on painting stuff when I can’t stand it?” was the only thought in my mind. “I hate painting! I’m not cut out for this.”

The movie was stupid, which I believe was God’s plan so that I’d return to the canvas. I tried three different ways to cover up the ugliness of my painting but I just wasn’t feeling it. “Move with God” was not being accurately displayed through my art. However, I kept at it, more determined than ever. I painted carefully and decided that it wasn’t so bad, even though it’s not really what I feel it should be. But, someone may like my painting…maybe?

The next morning when I came down the stairs in search for coffee, I was aptly greeted by my painting. “Oh, my, I can’t give up my day job!” Early that afternoon my husband came home and saw my art on the table and said “oh, this is your painting?” Ahh, yeah! I explained to him that I wasn’t happy with it because it was not what I see in my mind. It was such a struggle for me – painting that piece. All my fears came true – it’s crap, no one will like it, people will laugh.

Well, that’s when it hit me…right there sitting on the dining room floor processing this with my husband. “deAnn, this painting is not for just anyone. It’s for you. You are the only audience,” it was like a news ticker tape crossing the bottom on my mind and it was an urgent message from God.

What I realized was it’s not about the finished project. But it’s about what I learned through the creative process. My fear of painting, to explore a realm of creativity that is foreign, inhibited me from expressing what was deep inside my heart. I painted what I thought other people would want to see or would think was nice. That did not settle well in my soul. My painting was too clean, too nice, to edited. It’s not messy and real like the image that still lingers in my heart and cries to be released - this is the painting I need to create! This painting would not include the use of brushes…but my fingers and hands instead. And when I imagine letting go to paint from my heart like that - I sense freedom and pleasure in the most divinely intimate of ways!

So, now back to the canvas to paint from my true self that image God placed in my heart while in Israel: move with God. Now I’m excited to create! The chains of bondage have been released – true art can emerge from my soul and I can’t wait to see what God teaches me through that experience. Discovering and developing creativity from the true self is found through the process, what you learn about God and about yourself. It’s not so much about the final product. I believe that if you let go, travel deep into your soul and find the artist within – the final product will be one of amazing beauty and other people may see that beauty too ~ that picture into your soul.

I plan to begin this true painting very soon, then I'll post the two paintings together and see how they differ...continuing on the artistic adventure...

NOTE: It's now October 2008 and I've not yet gone back to the canvas to see this expression through. Although I've painted one other picture that I will post about over the weekend. What a different experience this later painting was...more to come later.

Surrendering

"The creative process is a process of surrender, not control." ~ Julia Cameron

Surrender our creativity? What would that look like? Control is so much easier. Right?

Not really. But surrender is not all that easy either. So what is one to do...?

Well, here is a question ~ have you ever surrendered your creativity to the One who gave it to you?

I have an imagination that bubbles up with ideas and creative thoughts, but I think to myself, "yeah, but why should I paint? What good is it?" I have to believe that saddens God's heart. I can almost hear Him say, "What good is it? I wish you knew how much pleasure it brings Me to watch you decide which brush to use and what color to dip into. I whisper in your ear, 'the brush with the black handle and how about the pale blue paint - the one that matches the color of your eyes.' You are My child and I long to see you play. You are so busy most of the time. I'd love to see you explore your creativity and, honestly, I enjoy watching you create. Is that not enough of a reason?"

Wow. How should one respond to that? When I'm tuned into His presence, I humbly pray, "God, You created me. I am made in Your image which means I have Your creative gene. I don't know its purpose or how I'm to use it, but I surrender it to You. Use me, call out my creativity to its fullness and may it bring a smile to Your face."

May you surrender the beautiful creative gene given to you by your Maker. Surrender it and then live into it. Listen for His voice to guide you then be ready to be surprised by Him.

grace & peace ~ deAnn

Venite Dominum ~ A Poem

Venite Dominum

Christ comes to a broken world...
not in the merriment of the Christmas season,
with its' carols, gift-giving and celebrations,
but in its' ugliness, imperfections and failures.

Christ comes to a broken world...
not in the tinsel and glitter of lights,
but meeting us where we are...
sometimes lonely, hurting and in pain.

Christ comes to a broken world...
our hearts rejoicing as this Babe is born;
His Love so great that death on the cross
will break the chains of bondage forever.

Christ comes to a broken world...
bringing shelter in life's storms,
offering peace which the world cannot give;
and heralding hope that He will come again!

- Linda D.

We thank you, Linda, for sharing your written expression with the readers of Vertical Creativity.

Art Soup Magazine

Have you seen it? Ther is an awesome new magazine in the York area, called Art Soup. My husband picked up a copy at Big Apple Bagels about 2 weeks ago. He was so excited to show it to me. It's great! Then my friend, Jane, saw a copy. She called them up to tell them their magazine is cool and told them about Vertical Creativity! THANKS JANE!! Woo-hoo! I got the nicest email from a woman named Karen who is affiliated with Art Soup Magazine.

They were impressed to hear that Living Word has a ministry for the creative arts. Check out Art Soup online. You can pick up a copy of the magazine's first issue at Kondor Media at 1243 E Market Street, York. It's the large white house on the corner of Market Street across from Lincoln Hwy gas station, parking in the back. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 pm. Also the Chamber of Commerce has copies - Merryl Lunch building on George Street, Large building on the corner - 3rd floor - see the receptionist.

If you are an artist or writer, you can contact Editor Dennis Humphreys to be considered for their publication.

Pick up a copy, check them out online & support the local art scene in York, PA!

Thank you Art Soup for being a voice in this area!

Grace & Peace ~ deAnn