Unexpected Inspiration

There are times when I'm unexpectedly inspired - when I see ordinary objects in extraordinary ways. Such as the photo above. As I passed through my darkened dinning room on the way to the kitchen, I noticed how the lone flickering candle casted a dancing shadow on the wall behind the word art, "inspire." It was pretty cool to me. So I ran upstairs, grabbed my camera and tripod then returned to the source of my inspiration. My husband watched me remove the distracting items from the area, set my shots, then just shook his head as if saying, "that's my wife, always 'seeing' things."

Not always, though. Most of the time, I'm sad to say, I walk right past amazing shots or inspiration. Too busy to slow down or to even notice. Beauty surrounds us, sometimes, in the most unexpected places ~ I'm thankful that my eyes were illuminated this evening by the mysterious movement of candle light. For a few moments, my creativity peaked out from under the surface of my daily routine and human need. What a gift ~ that small space when time seemed to stand still and there was just me, my camera and my inquisitive husband watching me out of the corner of his eye with that smirk on his lips.

May we notice the small gifts that enter our sphere. They call us to slow down, observe, and be inspired. You never know what you'll see...

grace & peace ~ deAnn

A Blessing for the Artist

A Blessing for the Artist at the Start of Day
~ by John O'Donohue

May morning be astir with the harvest of night;
Your mind quickening to the eros of a new question,
Your eyes seduced by some unintended glimpse
That cut right through the surface to a source.

May this be a morning of innocent beginning,
When the gift within your slips clear
Of the sticky web of the personal
With its hurts and its hauntings,
and fixed fortress corners,

A morning when you become a pure vessel
For what wants to ascend from silence,

May your imagination know
The grace of perfect danger,

To reach beyond imitation,
And the wheel of repetition,

Deep into the call of all
The unfinished and unsolved

Until the veil of the unknown yields
And something original begins
To stir toward your senses
And grow stronger in your heart

In order to come to birth
In a clean line of form,
That claims from time
A rhythm not yet heard,
That calls space to
A different shape.

May it be its own force field
And dwell uniquely
Between the heart and the light

To surprise the hungry eye
By how deftly it fits
about its secret loss.

A friend told me of this wonderful little book by Irish teacher and poet, John O'Donohue. The blessing you just read is from his book, "To Bless the Space Between Us." I'm also reading one of John's other books, "Beauty: The Invisible Embrace." No doubt future posts will be inspired by this outstanding book. If you have the chance, pick up one or both. I purchased my copies at Hearts & Minds Bookstore.

Grace & peace on the beautiful journey ~ deAnn

Happy Thanksliving

A friend of mine closed his email by saying, "Happy Thanksliving." At first I thought it was a type-o, but the more I looked at it, (and even said it out loud!) it wasn't a mistake. Thanks-Living.

Tomorrow is the annual stuff-yourself-until-you-are-sick Thanksgiving holiday. It's an old holiday, the first one being recorded in 1621 in Plymouth, celebrated by the English colonist and the Native Americans. This harvest meal was the symbol of cooperation between these two very different people groups. They shared a large hearty meal together and gave thanks for the bountiful crops at harvest time. Today, we share Thanksgiving with our loved ones; watching football on the flatpanel TV screen, eat a week's worth of food in one setting, and maybe even play a game of Scattergories or Mad Gab. We have a lot to be thankful for!

I got to thinking....Thanksgiving is something we do. Thanksliving is something we become ~ living a life of thanks and gratitude even when life is throwing us curve-balls. Living thankfully in those trying and difficult moments is incredibly challenging, but has some amazing benefits. Living thankfully in all situations has a way of transforming our heart, and we begin to look at life differently, we see joy even in the darkness. It's a paradox. It's mysterious. It's Divine.

As my little family and I sit down and consume large amounts of sleep inducing turkey with all the fixings, we will give thanks for all that is right and lovely in our lives. And you can bet that the conversation of Thanksliving will quickly follow.

May you and yours enjoy this holiday, see the beauty in the brokenness and be compelled to ponder how you can change the world by adding a little Thanksliving into your days.

Grace & lot's of peace ~ deAnn

Inspiration Monday

As an artist, you don't stop making art because people are not buying it.

::: Damien Hirst :::

An appropriate quote for today's economic times.

Selling your art is a wonderful side affect of living into your God-inspired creative life. Live it with life and live it deeply!

Grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

First Snowflakes

It snowed on Friday. My heart sang loudly! Being a photographer, every season I try to capture the perfect snowflake through my lens. I saw some perfect snowflakes today, but wasn't able to capture them quite like I planned. But the photo above has some pretty nice flakes, if you ask me.

Isn't it amazing? Snowflakes. Unique, delicate, lovely. They are simply beautiful. That's what God creates - beauty.

From a human perspective, some of us hate snow, hate cold, hate shoveling snow, hate driving in snow, hate everything having to do with snow/winter/cold. Others of us anticipate winter's beauty with an open and excited spirit. I really don't like driving in snow. I don't like being cold, so I bundle up. But, I love to shovel snow! However, there is nothing like walking in the snow - the land covered with a silencing white blanket, dampening the sounds of the earth - it's so peaceful.

Even if you hate snow, peering into the depths of a simple snowflake can bring amazement. For me, it's seeing God's creativity, up close and personal, which leaves me in awe.

Well, having snow fall this early in the season teases me. It leaves me wondering if the big snows will return this year and bless us with lots of opportunity to capture the perfect snowflake.

grace & peace on the creative journey ~ deAnn


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

Body Creative Network

The Body Creative Network exists to be a catalyst for the revival that God is working in and through the arts, media and pop-culture in Edmonton, Canada and the World. We are doing this by encourage, equipping and empowering artists to engage culture with truth and beauty.

I got an email from the creator of Body Creative Network, Dave Von Bieker. His website is pretty cool. Actually, he mentions Vertical Creativity in his "Friday Five" segment, check it out.

There is a real movement of God's spirit, awakening the creativity in many people - all over the world.

Do you sense your inner creative spirit awakening??? How will you respond...

grace & peace ~ deAnn

A Friday Morning Thought on Beauty

As I sit in my favorite chair, all bundled up nice and warm, I peer out my window watching the delicate evidence that winter is upon us, this thought came to mind...

Can you consider that being an artist isn't so much about creating beauty, it's more about noticing, interacting with and being transformed by Beauty.

Okay, ponder that for a little. I know that God is nudging me to take some time and think deeply about that statement. Maybe you sense that too from Him.

Past posts on beauty:

Beauty Matters

Beauty Matters: Part Deux

grace & peace ~ deAnn

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

A Prayer for the Creative Person

O most Glorious and Blessed God, I present myself and this work into Your hands. Do with it as You will. Guide my thoughts. Hold my hands, that You alone are writing (painting, carving) through me, producing whatever You wish me to say. And now, O my Beloved and my Joy, I prostrate myself into Your most loving embrace in thanks that You give me talent, inspiration, discipline to do Your work. Amen. So be it.

Prayer by Sophy Burnham, Source: From "The Path of Prayer" published by Penguin Putnam. Copyright (C) 2002 by Sophy Burnham.

Creativity for Adults

Every time I turn on the news, I’m bombarded with negative information about our economy, our nation, our world. It’s hard not to become sick and unsure of everything. That feeling even robs me of my creative energy, leaving me feeling numb.

In times like these, I think our creativity can be quite healing. For instance, after much struggle, I finally sat down to write and as I did, the worries of the world melted away and I felt a deep peace. Once I realized what was happening in me, I stopped and reflected on the moment. That’s when I started thinking about the healing power of the arts.

I have a friend who is a movie-a-holic. She sees one or more movies a week. I’m not talking DVD’s. No, she goes the theatre where she’s totally enveloped by the massive screen & storyline. For nearly two hours, she is transported away from the ugliness of life. Depending on the genre of film, you can leave the theatre feeling uplifted and hopeful or thankful that your life doesn’t resemble the deep brokenness of the characters you just met on screen.

Paintings and other visual arts have the same affect. The photo above is one of my favorites. I took it one bright summer morning as the dew collected on the grass. When I look at this photo, I’m instantly taken away to a mysterious land of peace and hope.

God gave us our creativity not to use only as a small child, drawing images of stick people and houses with puffy smoke pouring from the crooked chimney. No, I believe that He gave us His creativity because, as adults, He knew we’d need it to help us through the difficult times. It’s a way to express the depths of our soul, to create beauty and to see His beauty amidst the brokenness. But, I think He gave us creativity mostly to connect intimately with Him – which gives us strength to move through the ebb and flow of our daily lives.

Grace & peace to you ~ deAnn

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

Ovation Art Exhibit

Ovation: A group of artists that create, inspire and entertain.

Ovation, a complete art experience with performance art, music, two dimensional and three dimensional works and functional craft represented, will be at Mulberry Art Studios throughout the month of December. A First Friday opening reception will be held from 5pm until 8pm on December 5th, followed by a Sunday Reception from 1pm until 4pm on December 7th. Mulberry Art Studios hold regular gallery hours on weekdays from 10am until 4pm and is conveniently located in downtown Lancaster at 19-21 North Mulberry Street.

Ovation: a prolonged celebration and welcome. This word represents the inspiration that drives the creativity of this group of artists, many of whom collaborate in the world of live theatre- on stage and behind the scenes.

The concept for Ovation evolved when artist Ange Bentivegna was asked to do a one-woman show at Mulberry Art Gallery. December is a time for celebrations and family events and Ange was inspired to bring together thirty talented artists. They come from the entire Susquehanna Valley and include painters, craftsmen, sculptors, actors and musicians.

For more information on this exhibit, please visit www.mulberryartstudios.com

Christains In The Arts

If you Google "Christians in the arts," this blog will pop up and it's a must read. LeAnne B. Martin heads up this blog, which she posts every Monday and Thursday. She's interviewed many people with names you'd recognize from the world of christian and the arts; Andy Crouch, Ken Gire, Tyrus Clutter of CIVA to mention a few. (Click the image above to be transported to LeAnne's blog).

Please take a few minutes and peruse her blog, read some posts, click some links - you may be inspired to see art differently or learn how others see the importance of being a Christian in the arts.

May you dive head first into your creativity this weekend, discover something new about yourself and listen to how God may be calling you to Him through your creativity.

grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

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

Orangette

I was having tea with a friend the other day and she told me of this creative blog about cooking. It's called Orangette. You should check it out. For one, her writing is fabulous. And two - her recipes sound tasty. Molly of Orangette proves that creativity comes in all forms: cooking is certainly creative. You are creating a meal, right?

Check out Orangette by clicking on the image above. You may have just found your second favorite blog (after Vertical Creativity, of course! haha!)

grace & peace on the journey ~ deAnn

Second Wind Pottery OPEN HOUSE

This coming weekend, Nov. 14-16 and the next next weekend, Nov. 28-30 is the Second Wind Pottery Holiday Sale and Open House in Yoe, PA. Potter Jill Pellegrino is a gifted artist and if you love pottery, you have to stop and see her work. And bring your Christmas shopping list, you'll find unique gifts for everyone! You can contact Jill if you need directions. They are on the photo above, but the font may be way to small to read (?)

Enjoy the holidays by getting out and supporting the local arts!

"It Was Very Good"

"Then God looked over all that He had made, and He saw that it was very good." Genesis 1:31a NLT

Everything in the heavens and under the sun was masterfully crafted by the One who loves us more than we could ever imagine. He looked and saw that "it was very good."

The November Art Exhibit at the Gallery @ Common Grounds Coffeebar of LWCC is titled "It Was Very Good." The featured artists are Diane McCleary with amazing Pencil Portraits, which, actually are so fine they nearly look like black and white photographs. Then, in contrast, is the full color work of Ange Bentivegna.

Between the intricate beauty of the pencil portraits of Diane's children and grandchildren and the stunning mixed colors Ange brings through her paintings of birds, horses, flora, lions and abstracts - you are left only to say, "it was very good."

When taking in the art, please pick up the gallery companion booklet called, "The Heart Behind the Art" which details the artists' stories, about how their art came to be and why they continue creating for God's glory.

Grace & peace on the creative journey ~ deAnn

For more about the November artist's, please click their links to the right under "Our Local Artists."

UnGrind Article

Check out the article on UnGrind ~churning out encouragement for Christian women. An article written by LW's Lauren Pratt! Woo-Hoo! Way to get published, Lauren!

I dig the website too. For the women writers out there, you can submit your work to UnGrind as well. Take a peek and give it a try! What do you have to loose????

again - Congrats Lauren!

Grace & peace, deAnn

Today is 11/7 ~ know what that means?

It's FIRST FRIDAY IN LANCASTER!

Which means you should be there, I should be there, we all should be there - walking through the art gallerys and studios of downtown Lancaster. For information - check out Lancaster Arts webpage. I hope to see you there!

Unwrapped

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.” George Bernard Shaw

Oh my, this quote really bugs me. A lot.

When I was a little girl it drove me nuts knowing that my parents had wrapped Christmas gifts hidden somewhere in the house. But it drove my sister crazy nuts. I didn't snoop because I liked the element of surprise. Then there's my neighbor who wraps gifts so beautifully that you don't even want to open them! But after all, it's about what's inside, right? So the unwrapping is essential to "receiving" the gift.

Okay, say you shopped for hours, even days, searching for that perfect gift for your friend, spouse, child, or parent. You know the giftee well so you know he will enjoy the gift you have for him. Meticulously, you wrap the gift nicely and place a matching bow on top with a card- to: you ~ from: me. The special day approaches and you can NOT wait to see his face as he rips though the paper exposing the well planned gift inside. Most the time, the gifter is MORE excited than the giftee!!! Then as the giftee uses the gift he thinks dearly of the one who gave it to him. It bring much pleasure to the gift giver knowing the giftee uses and enjoys the gift.

This is what I believe God, the gift giver, feels like when we, the giftees, use the divine gifts He's given us. But how many of us have a gift, the creative gift, just sitting there, unopened on the shelf, collecting years of dust. Don't you ever wonder what's inside? Have you asked yourself why you haven't unwrapped it? Again, a gift has not been fully received until it's been unwrapped and integrated into your life.

Back to why Mr. Shaw's quote bugs me so much...yes, artists have a gift (we all have the ability to create because we are made in the image of God, the master Creator) ~ it's not that part that bugs me. It's the second part, "but the gift is nothing without work." Ouch. Monet, Picasso, Ansel Adams, and even Mr. Shaw himself, were people (like you and me) who a gift was given. But they didn't allow it to collect dust, unopened. No, they did the hard work to unwrap that gift and explore it in detail.

I'm not saying that every person will become famous artists like those guys, but I do believe we have been given a creative gift. And I know it's hard to unwrap and explore it, speaking from personal experience. But inside my heart I feel a longing to discover and develop the creative gift. I don't want to leave God's gift to me sitting alone on a shelf. But sometimes I'm such a bleep'n chicken and do not know why. Can you relate to that feeling?

Why is developing our creative voice so scary for some and so easy for others... well, that will be a post for another day.

Until then, may you (and I) live courageously in exploration of the creative gift given to us from the most divine Gift Giver of all.

grace & peace ~ deAnn