LarrySeiler
04-03-2004, 04:48 PM
Here is one plein air I did...sold long ago, a time of celebration for me-
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Apr-2004/532-backlit_peshtigowc.jpg
I've been reading an old book called, "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster written in 1978.
Just thought I'd start a thread where I could come back and share thoughts as it relates to making art, life and faith....as an artist courtesy of this book.
Chapter 5 is on the Discipline of Study....I'll provide some excerpts and then some of my thoughts-
* "The purpose of the Spritiual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. It aims at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits."
* The apostle Paul tells us that the way we are transformed is through the renewal of the mind (ROM.12:2) The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it."
*"Finally, brothers...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phil. 4:8)
*"Jesus made it clear that it is the knowledge of the truth that will set us free. "You will know the truth and the truth will makeyou free: (Jn 8:32) Good feelings will not free us. Ecstatic experiences will not free us. Getting "high on Jesus" will not free us. Without a knowledge of the truth, we will not be free."
*Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful observation of objective structures we cause thought processes to move in a certain way. Perhaps we study a tree or book. We see it, feel it. As we do, our thought processes take on an order conforming to the order in the tree or book. When done with concentration, perception and repetition, ingrained habits of thought are formed."
*"We must once again emphasize that the ingrained habits of thought that are formed will conform ot the order of the thing being studied. What we study determines what kind of habits are to be formed. That is why Paul urged us to center on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious."
we are working our way now to a point I am close to making...
earlier in the book, chp 2 on the Discipline of Meditation...Foster says some of these-
*"If we are constantly being swept off our feet with frantic activity, we will be unable to be attentive at the moment of inward silence. A mind that is harassed and fragmented by external affiars is hardly prepared for meditation. The church Fathers often spoke of Otium Sanctum: "holy leisure." It refers to a sense of balance in the life, an ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, an ability to pace ourselves."
*"If we are to succeed in the contemplative arts, we must pursue "holy leisure" with a determination that is ruthless to our datebooks."
- - -
There are many reasons that mankind is moved to express themselves creatively...and, we are also aware (many of faith) that the pursuit of gain, wealth and such (while providing provision for need) can appeal to and bring out the lowest that mankind's nature has to offer. Some even willing to sell their mother if need be.... ;)
In the process of coming into the faith..God brings us face to face with ourselves. Brick by brick old foundations for why we did things are taken apart so that God might do a new work and build a new and better foundation. We get to see ourselves thru His eyes...
I look back and see sadly just how important it was for me to make it. To be known. As good as those known...and then, perhaps to be said to be better yet. My near 20 years in wildlife art was perfect for that....for the wildlife art machine is a well oiled machine. For years and years...competitions in state, regional and national levels evolved to set standards of excellence.
A person might win best of show in a small town art fair for a duck painting, but...would they beat out 400 painters competing for $2 million in the Federal duck stamp? Always one has to prove to themselves. Then of course, galleries weren't looking for additonal wildlife artists to be in their galleries unless your bio suggested it worth their time. So again, proving oneself was necessary.
My faith too went so far as to justify it. Why...if I for one... would prove myself faithful in the little things, so I could expect God to bless me with greater things. If I did my part...God will do his. So long as I would testify and give Him glory, then I reasoned I would be safe from the trappings that success has. No need for God's chastisements, no worries about ego inflation that would feed my flesh. I could point to the countless opportunities while in the spotlight I used the occasion to give God the glory.
I definitely saw being in the light an advantage for promoting the kingdom.
Years and years later...I see that much of our need to advance is connected to hidden motives of the heart. Cries of the flesh. There is a definite spirit of the world...but we are called out of all that.
My observations now are that so many jump into making art thinking themselves to possess a measure of talent, but more importantly as a means to get out of a job they do not like to make money they do not have.
What took me a dozen years to develop...and still fifteen more...so many expect to know within a year or two or their risk in buying art materials will be deemed to not have been worthwhile. It seems to most common question after having made ten works is..."how do I get into a gallery?"...or "how can I improve my sales on ebay?"...and in reading the rest of their thoughts you really get the feeling they are on edge.
My hope is that artists might be conduits for something else.
We live in an age of appetites that hunger for immediate sensate gratification and it grows worse and worse.
Fine works of art as objects that promise to offer satisfaction is a concept that is being lost rapidly to the modern age generation. Money spent on one of my paintings would probably make possible to see most of the latest movies each month for an entire year. To run here and there. Dial up on the cellphone and contact this person and that one. Go to the mall, drive here...there...do this and that. Why the heck have something that does nothing hanging on a wall for THAT kind of money?
The true richness and blessing in painting for me...is not what material gain I might enjoy in its selling. It would be first to experience a moment that garnishes praise and thanksgiving in living...and secondly, a hope to transfer a sense of that priority to another.
I would hope that a hectic moment causing pressure to come unglued might send the office CEO to his or her office...close their door. AS frantic thoughts wrestle for their minds....perhaps they gaze up at a sublime image of sunlight filtering thru a mix of trees and a lonely point of shore's edge jutting out into a lake.
The mind entertains the memories...and briefly the loss of cares. It reminds that there is so much more to life, and strength is found.
For myself...to develop and possess eyes that see is an amazing gift from God. To stand there with an easel and blank canvas outdoors before nature, soaking in the moment...gives opportunity for expression of praise. The exercise reveals secrets and mysteries of elements of beauty and I feel an enlargening within.
If the work never sells...I have already been handsomely paid.
Going back to what Foster said- Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful observation of objective structures we cause thought processes to move in a certain way. Perhaps we study a tree or book. We see it, feel it. As we do, our thought processes take on an order conforming to the order in the tree or book. When done with concentration, perception and repetition, ingrained habits of thought are formed."
painting plein air....(outdoor on location) is just that, a specific kind of careful observation. We see it...we feel it, we express it. Habits of thought ARE formed, and they are one of thanksgiving.
Romans 1 is a chapter controversial in nature today. It is often used as an example of what happens to an ungodly society...and in a condemnatory way.
I see the chapter as a warning because it is first addressed to those "who knew" God. Having lost the art of maintaining a heart that is thankful, those that once knew God slip away...and become ungodly, and meet a terrible end.
The specific habits formed as Foster suggests work to maintain a heart of celebration. Our faith reminds us to whom expressions of praise in our art is due.
Even in our churches today...(I was a youth pastor over 20 years in three churches subsequently), there is this frenzy of creating newer and more programs. The family gets divided. Adults over here...kids over there. Then there is further division. There are Monday night home cell group meetings, Tuesday night this or that...Wednesday night midweek services, Thursday night Praise and Prayer group meetings, Friday night specials...evangelists and so forth...Saturday picnics and softaball teams, and church twice on Sundays.
Little time to reflect, be alone...reach out to the world.
The artist seeking to be alone and productive appears alloof and even suspiciously rebellious.
What I see though is a very large number of people coming to church to get blessed. Draining throughout the week, they want their spiritual batteries recharged.
Yet...Sunday, or the day of rest is for the purpose of giving God HIS day. To honor Him.
It is not a time to assess the worship team, how the message was or reflect and compare notes with others as we walk out the door if last week was better. In time...a dissatisfaction arises and soon people talk about checking out another church.
It is not about our going to be blessed or to get....but to go and to give. To be instead, a blessing.
I believe the artist as a faith filled individual has an advantage, and I would hope more would know it. Not fearing to being alone and often even preferring it...the individual incubates. Thinks. Finds his/her spiritual batteries recharge. Less needful for such at church. In creating. In studying and developing as Foster says, "habits"...we are more contemplative. Our spirit communes as deep calling onto deep.
The need isn't more church programs, but less. People need to be seekers not of church offerings...but of God, and painting...getting away from everyone is one way I've learned to do this.
Having less sense of urgency to be blessed, I am less a burden to pastoral staff.
Current statistics are that 80% or more of pastors die in their 50's....and this due to stress. Man is not meant to replace or be a substitute for God. When we make someone responsible for assuring we are blessed, we are asking something of them that was never meant to be.
So...to wrap up this long long rant...I don't know if you are finding success in sales. I encourage and implore that you count your blessings. Thank God for the satisfaction you enjoy, the contemplation of the creative lifestyle. Think less yourself the rebel because you'd rather be painting or making art than be at a meeting. In fact...you are pressing in in a more personal manner and in a way that you were designed.
See your creative moments as opportunities to complete the cycle. Celebrate creation not only of the work you are doing but of the Creator's intent and His good pleasure in making you to do so. God celebrates over you....and you too should see it as celebration.
I believe also....that as you do, your work will grow and develop a spark that demands more attention. Scriptures are clear that God inhabits the praises of His people. AS you celebrate in the act of creating...and offer praise, I believe His spirit will come upon you. I believe I can pray to see as perhaps I might not otherwise see....and to be shown mysteries. It is a time of romancing and wooing. Expression a demonstration of love, and joy.
I believe others needful, empty, searching and hungering will sense something in your work.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Apr-2004/532-finished.jpg
Here is a 16" x 20" oil done here in NE Wisconsin, standing off the side of a road in snow with my halfbox French easel. It was an overcast day...but I saw beauty in the contrasts, the quiet somberness. It was for me a definite moment of quieting the spirit, a celebration of life...the grace for one more day.
peace...
Larry
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Apr-2004/532-backlit_peshtigowc.jpg
I've been reading an old book called, "Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster written in 1978.
Just thought I'd start a thread where I could come back and share thoughts as it relates to making art, life and faith....as an artist courtesy of this book.
Chapter 5 is on the Discipline of Study....I'll provide some excerpts and then some of my thoughts-
* "The purpose of the Spritiual Disciplines is the total transformation of the person. It aims at replacing old destructive habits of thought with new life-giving habits."
* The apostle Paul tells us that the way we are transformed is through the renewal of the mind (ROM.12:2) The mind is renewed by applying it to those things that will transform it."
*"Finally, brothers...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Phil. 4:8)
*"Jesus made it clear that it is the knowledge of the truth that will set us free. "You will know the truth and the truth will makeyou free: (Jn 8:32) Good feelings will not free us. Ecstatic experiences will not free us. Getting "high on Jesus" will not free us. Without a knowledge of the truth, we will not be free."
*Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful observation of objective structures we cause thought processes to move in a certain way. Perhaps we study a tree or book. We see it, feel it. As we do, our thought processes take on an order conforming to the order in the tree or book. When done with concentration, perception and repetition, ingrained habits of thought are formed."
*"We must once again emphasize that the ingrained habits of thought that are formed will conform ot the order of the thing being studied. What we study determines what kind of habits are to be formed. That is why Paul urged us to center on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and gracious."
we are working our way now to a point I am close to making...
earlier in the book, chp 2 on the Discipline of Meditation...Foster says some of these-
*"If we are constantly being swept off our feet with frantic activity, we will be unable to be attentive at the moment of inward silence. A mind that is harassed and fragmented by external affiars is hardly prepared for meditation. The church Fathers often spoke of Otium Sanctum: "holy leisure." It refers to a sense of balance in the life, an ability to be at peace through the activities of the day, an ability to rest and take time to enjoy beauty, an ability to pace ourselves."
*"If we are to succeed in the contemplative arts, we must pursue "holy leisure" with a determination that is ruthless to our datebooks."
- - -
There are many reasons that mankind is moved to express themselves creatively...and, we are also aware (many of faith) that the pursuit of gain, wealth and such (while providing provision for need) can appeal to and bring out the lowest that mankind's nature has to offer. Some even willing to sell their mother if need be.... ;)
In the process of coming into the faith..God brings us face to face with ourselves. Brick by brick old foundations for why we did things are taken apart so that God might do a new work and build a new and better foundation. We get to see ourselves thru His eyes...
I look back and see sadly just how important it was for me to make it. To be known. As good as those known...and then, perhaps to be said to be better yet. My near 20 years in wildlife art was perfect for that....for the wildlife art machine is a well oiled machine. For years and years...competitions in state, regional and national levels evolved to set standards of excellence.
A person might win best of show in a small town art fair for a duck painting, but...would they beat out 400 painters competing for $2 million in the Federal duck stamp? Always one has to prove to themselves. Then of course, galleries weren't looking for additonal wildlife artists to be in their galleries unless your bio suggested it worth their time. So again, proving oneself was necessary.
My faith too went so far as to justify it. Why...if I for one... would prove myself faithful in the little things, so I could expect God to bless me with greater things. If I did my part...God will do his. So long as I would testify and give Him glory, then I reasoned I would be safe from the trappings that success has. No need for God's chastisements, no worries about ego inflation that would feed my flesh. I could point to the countless opportunities while in the spotlight I used the occasion to give God the glory.
I definitely saw being in the light an advantage for promoting the kingdom.
Years and years later...I see that much of our need to advance is connected to hidden motives of the heart. Cries of the flesh. There is a definite spirit of the world...but we are called out of all that.
My observations now are that so many jump into making art thinking themselves to possess a measure of talent, but more importantly as a means to get out of a job they do not like to make money they do not have.
What took me a dozen years to develop...and still fifteen more...so many expect to know within a year or two or their risk in buying art materials will be deemed to not have been worthwhile. It seems to most common question after having made ten works is..."how do I get into a gallery?"...or "how can I improve my sales on ebay?"...and in reading the rest of their thoughts you really get the feeling they are on edge.
My hope is that artists might be conduits for something else.
We live in an age of appetites that hunger for immediate sensate gratification and it grows worse and worse.
Fine works of art as objects that promise to offer satisfaction is a concept that is being lost rapidly to the modern age generation. Money spent on one of my paintings would probably make possible to see most of the latest movies each month for an entire year. To run here and there. Dial up on the cellphone and contact this person and that one. Go to the mall, drive here...there...do this and that. Why the heck have something that does nothing hanging on a wall for THAT kind of money?
The true richness and blessing in painting for me...is not what material gain I might enjoy in its selling. It would be first to experience a moment that garnishes praise and thanksgiving in living...and secondly, a hope to transfer a sense of that priority to another.
I would hope that a hectic moment causing pressure to come unglued might send the office CEO to his or her office...close their door. AS frantic thoughts wrestle for their minds....perhaps they gaze up at a sublime image of sunlight filtering thru a mix of trees and a lonely point of shore's edge jutting out into a lake.
The mind entertains the memories...and briefly the loss of cares. It reminds that there is so much more to life, and strength is found.
For myself...to develop and possess eyes that see is an amazing gift from God. To stand there with an easel and blank canvas outdoors before nature, soaking in the moment...gives opportunity for expression of praise. The exercise reveals secrets and mysteries of elements of beauty and I feel an enlargening within.
If the work never sells...I have already been handsomely paid.
Going back to what Foster said- Study is a specific kind of experience in which through careful observation of objective structures we cause thought processes to move in a certain way. Perhaps we study a tree or book. We see it, feel it. As we do, our thought processes take on an order conforming to the order in the tree or book. When done with concentration, perception and repetition, ingrained habits of thought are formed."
painting plein air....(outdoor on location) is just that, a specific kind of careful observation. We see it...we feel it, we express it. Habits of thought ARE formed, and they are one of thanksgiving.
Romans 1 is a chapter controversial in nature today. It is often used as an example of what happens to an ungodly society...and in a condemnatory way.
I see the chapter as a warning because it is first addressed to those "who knew" God. Having lost the art of maintaining a heart that is thankful, those that once knew God slip away...and become ungodly, and meet a terrible end.
The specific habits formed as Foster suggests work to maintain a heart of celebration. Our faith reminds us to whom expressions of praise in our art is due.
Even in our churches today...(I was a youth pastor over 20 years in three churches subsequently), there is this frenzy of creating newer and more programs. The family gets divided. Adults over here...kids over there. Then there is further division. There are Monday night home cell group meetings, Tuesday night this or that...Wednesday night midweek services, Thursday night Praise and Prayer group meetings, Friday night specials...evangelists and so forth...Saturday picnics and softaball teams, and church twice on Sundays.
Little time to reflect, be alone...reach out to the world.
The artist seeking to be alone and productive appears alloof and even suspiciously rebellious.
What I see though is a very large number of people coming to church to get blessed. Draining throughout the week, they want their spiritual batteries recharged.
Yet...Sunday, or the day of rest is for the purpose of giving God HIS day. To honor Him.
It is not a time to assess the worship team, how the message was or reflect and compare notes with others as we walk out the door if last week was better. In time...a dissatisfaction arises and soon people talk about checking out another church.
It is not about our going to be blessed or to get....but to go and to give. To be instead, a blessing.
I believe the artist as a faith filled individual has an advantage, and I would hope more would know it. Not fearing to being alone and often even preferring it...the individual incubates. Thinks. Finds his/her spiritual batteries recharge. Less needful for such at church. In creating. In studying and developing as Foster says, "habits"...we are more contemplative. Our spirit communes as deep calling onto deep.
The need isn't more church programs, but less. People need to be seekers not of church offerings...but of God, and painting...getting away from everyone is one way I've learned to do this.
Having less sense of urgency to be blessed, I am less a burden to pastoral staff.
Current statistics are that 80% or more of pastors die in their 50's....and this due to stress. Man is not meant to replace or be a substitute for God. When we make someone responsible for assuring we are blessed, we are asking something of them that was never meant to be.
So...to wrap up this long long rant...I don't know if you are finding success in sales. I encourage and implore that you count your blessings. Thank God for the satisfaction you enjoy, the contemplation of the creative lifestyle. Think less yourself the rebel because you'd rather be painting or making art than be at a meeting. In fact...you are pressing in in a more personal manner and in a way that you were designed.
See your creative moments as opportunities to complete the cycle. Celebrate creation not only of the work you are doing but of the Creator's intent and His good pleasure in making you to do so. God celebrates over you....and you too should see it as celebration.
I believe also....that as you do, your work will grow and develop a spark that demands more attention. Scriptures are clear that God inhabits the praises of His people. AS you celebrate in the act of creating...and offer praise, I believe His spirit will come upon you. I believe I can pray to see as perhaps I might not otherwise see....and to be shown mysteries. It is a time of romancing and wooing. Expression a demonstration of love, and joy.
I believe others needful, empty, searching and hungering will sense something in your work.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-Apr-2004/532-finished.jpg
Here is a 16" x 20" oil done here in NE Wisconsin, standing off the side of a road in snow with my halfbox French easel. It was an overcast day...but I saw beauty in the contrasts, the quiet somberness. It was for me a definite moment of quieting the spirit, a celebration of life...the grace for one more day.
peace...
Larry