I'm in Alaska! What a
beautiful land this is! Not only is nature such an inspirational
experience...but the people I've been meeting here have such depth within
them...they are inspirational to me. My travels have taken me from Anchorage
down the Kenai Peninsula to Soldotna and Homer...and back up again to Wasilla
and the Mat-Su Valley. I've been able to have a variety of experiences here and
I'm energized about all that I've encountered.
I have a friend from
college days who I haven't seen in 20 years since graduation...we've reconnected
on Facebook and over the last couple of years have recognized that our journeys
have reconverged for a purpose. She knows a lot of artists and musicians in
Alaska (she is a pastor and has traveled the state extensively and speaks to
youth and young adults, to churches and other gatherings of faith) and she
invited me to come up to connect with them, do some art, share who I am...and to
co-minister with her for a little bit.
"Ministry" has looked different
depending upon the setting, the people, the culture, the language, the point.
Here in Alaska I've been able to do a little bit of painting live, a little bit
of speaking to groups, a little bit of hang-out coffee time kind of relational
connecting, and a little bit of recreational adventures. It's been an eclectic
experience and I've loved every moment.
Painting Live within
Churches
The first day I was in
Alaska we traveled from Anchorage down the Kenai Peninsula to a town called
Soldotna. I had the wonderful chance to speak and paint live at a church there
called Kalafonski Christian Center. They invited me to speak to a group of about
15 adults who had just recently taken a 3 month course on utilizing their
creative talents within worship settings. They wanted me to connect with them
about what it's like to be a full time working artist, what it's like to be an
art minister, what it's like to take my artistic talents and utilize them
outside church settings. We had a wonderful discussion time together.
I invited them to
collaborate on a painting with me. This was a new experience for them...painting
side by side on the same canvas.
This is what we created
together. It's a 24x30 acrylic on canvas. All I did was lay down some initial
colors on the canvas and they painted on top creating details, shapes, and
movement. It's a beautiful piece depicting new life springing forth (notice the
dandelion in the lower left corner spraying out seed). Afterwards we discussed
and shared together what the painting meant to us and I had the chance to
connect with several people individually about their creativity.
The second day in Alaska I
was taken to the artistic town of Homer on the Kenai Peninsula. I had
the wonderful opportunity to co-minister at The Haven (a faith based
gathering of about 30-40 people) with my long time college friend and some
friends of hers. We enjoyed a time of worship together. There were painters set
up throughout the room creating with the music (and I even grabbed a djembe drum
at one point and joined in with the band!)
After the music, my friend
spoke to the group. She spoke from Judges 6:11-15 about Gideon's calling...to be
a mighty warrior and to not be afraid, that God was with him. She utilized the
imagery of a huge door representing the big things we are called to in this
life...and that sometimes it's a little key (the little things in life) that is
meant to be used to open the door...that we need to have courage &
confidence in God that He will be right there as we approach the door and turn
the key in the lock...we mustn't let fears or insecurities keep us from doing
this.
While she spoke I painted.
This is the painting I created in response to what she was speaking. It's a
24x30 acrylic on canvas. It's a padlock that is being opened by a tiny key (in
the hand) and God's love is dissolving the lock. The circle is representing that
big door (or calling) that we are needing to step through. When she was finished
speaking and I was finished painting we opened the time up for sharing (those
who had been painting came forward to share what they had created and then we
prayed together). It was a wonderful evening of allowing the arts to be an
integral part of how we worshipped together. What I enjoyed the most was being
able to connect and talk with people afterwards. I love hearing people's stories
and getting to pray for them.
One of the artists at The
Haven sketched this drawing of me while I was painting. It's me with a paint
brush in my hand as a sword of love...my hand is on my heart pouring out God's
love to people...and there is an eagle descending upon me with the sun
shining...representing God's strength and favor upon me. This sketch means a
great deal to me (partly because it connects in and confirms other words and
pictures that I have received over the last 2 years through various people and
in various ways--and partly because the artist didn't know me, she was a young
girl in her 20's, and yet she was able to capture the heart of who I am in her
sketch).
On Sunday my friend and I
co-ministered the same message at WellSpring Church in Anchorage. But although
she was speaking the same thing and I was painting the same thing...it ended up
a fresh new depiction of that same message.
Here is the painting I
created. It's a 30x40 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. On this one, I was able
to add in words within the painting. Afterwards I had the chance to talk with
several people about what the painting was speaking to them about and I was able
to pray with a few people too.
Connecting in Community with
Artists & Musicians:
One of the funnest and
most meaningful parts of doing art like this for me is getting to connect with
people, hear their hearts, hear their stories, encourage them in who they are as
creatives and pour out God's love into them.
I also love to watch
other artists create. It can be uncomfortable for some artists to have others
watch them, but if an artist can relax and let go of expectations and allow
themselves to be who they were meant to be, creating in each others' presence
can be extremely encouraging.
One thing I loved about
my Alaskan experience was the campfires (right there in their front or back
yards!). This is the Alaskans "kitchen-dining room" where (beyond
cooking-grilling meals) they gather to unwind, share stories, dream together,
and connect with each other.
I met several musicians
while in Alaska. I was so honored when they'd pull out their instruments and
share their songs with me. It was a way of getting to know them deep down.
There's something about music that connects hearts.
Some artists even invited
me into their art studios! This was so fun! It isn't a small thing when an
artist invites another artist into their studio to show them their work. It can
stir up all kinds of things. But if the artist is confident in who they are as a
creative, inviting another artist in can be one of the most encouraging
experiences they can open themselves up to.
Encouraging each
other...that's a key to success. We need each other. Everywhere I traveled in
Alaska, the people I met loved my friend. Here, this young musician proudly wore
a tshirt exclaiming her appreciation of my friend for encourging her and her
sister in who they are as musicians. Speaking life into the artist's heart is
something God is interested in.
One night I had the
opportunity to meet with several artists and musicians who have formed an arts
group called "Art is Worship". They travel and co-minister in churches and at
faith conferences in the Mat-Su Valley area of Alaska where they do
multi-media creative worship experiences (worship music, painting, dance). They
had lots of questions for me about what I do as a traveling art minister. It was
a wonderful and exciting evening of cross-pollinating ideas and sharing with
each other as creatives of faith.
One thing I've
learned...we need each other. No matter where I travel in this world, no matter
what culture I'm connecting with, no matter what the circumstances are and the
logistics of how the art is administered (organized and event-driven or organic
and relational-driven), no matter how large or small the groups I'm going to
are, and no matter how long I'm in connection with those groups...anytime I get
the opportunity to connect with creatives I see and hear...we need community.
It's never about the art, it's always about the heart.
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