“Once again I allowed myself to be led astray into reaching for stars that are too big—another failure—and I have had my fill of that.” Vincent Van Gogh Though he was painting from the insane asylum he had checked himself into and was attempting to paint a night-time view while working during the day, Van […]
Read more "V: Vincent Van Gogh and the Artist’s “Failure”"“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite.” William Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet We all grow up hearing the tale of Romeo and Juliet, and laughing at caricatures of Bugs Bunny calling for his “Romeo” […]
Read more "R: “Romeo and Juliet” – An Honest Glimpse of True Love"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) has gone down in musical history as a master composer, an art that he took up at the tender age of five. His greatest claim to fame, however, is that he was a “Master of Melody.” His melodies are simple, clear, and stunningly beautiful. Mozart knew better than to overcomplicate his […]
Read more "M: Mozart and the Beauty of Simple Things"“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.” Frida Kahlo While strolling through a modern art museum one afternoon, I suddenly stopped and cried, “Why are all the paintings in this room of this crazy lady with the unibrow?” Laughing, my wife took me by […]
Read more "K: Frida Kahlo – The Beauty and Danger of Self-Examination"It’s perhaps the most recognized musical theme in the world. Every child who has ever pretended to be a shark in the swimming pool has heard it, and even those who haven’t have played it on the piano. John Williams, the composer who gave us the memorable film scores to cinematic treasures such as Indiana […]
Read more "J: “Jaws” and Beyond – the Genius of John Williams"While I was working on my master’s degree in music, one of my professors told us something that I thought was incredibly profound. “If you’re going to survive as artists,” he told us solemnly. “You’re going to have to become masters at reinventing yourselves.” I took this advice to heart, and it has served me […]
Read more "H: Handel’s “Messiah” and the Art of Reinventing Oneself"I love examining Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa portrait with my fine arts students. They’re always amazed at the complexity of the painting, and how many small, intricate details come together to create the sense of beauty and awe that has led to such world-wide recognition. What is it about the Mona Lisa that has […]
Read more "D: Da Vinci and the Most Beautiful Woman Ever Painted"At times I feel weak, Overwhelmed by life’s worries, But God offers strength. ______________________________________ “In the day when I cried out, You answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3
Read more "Haiku – “Strength”"“Art doesn’t require long theological explanations to express emotion and truth; it just touches something inside of us. I love that.” Trisha Stern If you were to bump into Trisha Stern in your local coffee shop, she would be the first to tell you that there is more to her than meets […]
Read more "Christian Artist Feature – Trisha Stern"“I have wanted my work, be it my paintings, my writings, or my photography, to give back to the Master Creator of the Universe, honoring Him for all that He has afforded me.” – Julie As a retired educator, Julie (affectionately known as “Mama Cookie” by her students), never considered herself to be […]
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The Artistic Christian 