Creative Day Cafe

Author Angela Britnell

2012-01-24T09:18:00.015-06:00

Romance novelist Angela Britnell was born in a small village in southwestern England. As a young graduate, she joined the Royal Navy and served for nearly six years. Her last assignment was to a NATO Headquarters in Denmark where she met a tall, dark, handsome stranger, US Naval Officer Richard Britnell, who became her husband. (Hmm, her biography is beginning to sound like a romance novel, isn’t it?)

From Denmark the cross-cultural couple moved to Sicily where their first son was born. Then it was on to Monterey, California and the birth of their second son. From there they moved to Patuxent River, Maryland and birthed their third son. Richard's last naval assignment was to London where they “spent a wonderful three years,” Angela says. (Yet, the son-bearing trend was broken.)

Richard then retired from the Navy and they relocated to middle Tennessee, near his childhood home. In 2001, on a whim, Angela signed up for a creative writing class. From there, her career path as a romance novelist was forged.

Angela’s most recent novel, “Opposites Attract” has been released by Desert Breeze Publishing. We’re all aware of online dating services promising to match singles with their most compatible companion. Well, the matchmaking agency in “Opposites Attract” takes the reverse approach. So, thanks to the meddling of their respective parents, Holly, an “uptight British policewoman” is set up with Brett, a “laid back Southern writer”. “A weekend in Paris turns magical but secrets, lies and sheer stubbornness threaten this romance before it hardly gets off the ground. This pair will fight love all the way and it's a question of who'll give in first,” the book’s description says.

“Opposites Attract” is available for digital download from Amazon.com, BN.com, and www.AngelaBritnellRomance.com.

On Angela’s website you will also find details about her first novel, “Truth and Consequence”, and her other published works including two short stories published in an anthology entitled, "Gathering: Writers of Williamson County," and other short-stories featured in various international magazines.

Angela graciously took the time for a Creative Day Cafe interview:

You said you attended your first writer's workshop at the age of 40. In what ways did you express your creativity before you began writing?

I've never had the aptitude for anything like sewing, knitting, crafts etc although I admire anyone who does. When my boys were younger I did take a cake decorating class and made all their birthday cakes for years but I've long ago abandoned the icing tips! I've also done a floral arranging class and calligraphy at other times with limited success. It sounds really sad but until I discovered my passion for writing I didn't have much of an outlet for my creativity.

Your career and your husband's career have taken you to a variety of places. Of the many places you've lived, do you have a favorite?

I obviously have a soft spot for Denmark where we met but if I had to pick one I'd go with Sicily. I love the people, the food, and just the way of life in general. Taormina is one of my favorite cities and although popular with tourists doesn't have the wall-to-wall crowds of Rome or Venice.

Do you envision any of your former residences becoming the settings of future novels?

I have written a short novel set in Sicily but it hasn't sold yet so we'll see! I can imagine maybe writing one set around Monterey, California at sometime - it was the first place I lived in the US and loved it.

What other expressions of creativity do you enjoy?

I don't think eating dark chocolate and drooling over Johnny Depp counts does it? I enjoy listening to a wide range of music although my piano playing days are best forgotten. I also enjoy good movies - the last one I really enjoyed was 'The King's Speech' with the wonderful Colin Firth.

If "Opposites Attract" were to be scripted into a movie, which current celebrity would you cast as Holly? Brett? (bonus: Holly's mother? Brett's father?)

If I can pick someone who's not an actor but a country music singer I'd choose Dierks Bentley for Brett as he fits my mental picture. For Holly I think Emily Blunt could do a good job although her coloring is on the pale side but we could send her to a tanning salon first. Elaine, Holly's mother, I'll go for Judi Dench, brilliant actress and still a very attractive woman. For Brett's father Dean I'd pick Harrison Ford partly because I think he'd be perfect but also because I'm a huge fan of his and as the author they'd need me on set for consultation right?

What is your favorite online resource for writers?

It's difficult to pick just one. I'd go for 'Preditors and Editors' as a good place to check out potential agents/publishers. I love the fact nearly all publishers/agents now have all their submission guidelines online so you don't have to find the expensive Writer's Market book and hope the details haven't changed since it was printed. Also being a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Romantic Novelists' Association I'm active in their online groups. If you've got any craft/research/submission questions for example someone will either know the answer or tell you where to find it out - it's amazing how generous most writers are with their time and knowledge.

A random question: How closely do you follow the "Royal" gossip? Were you in England at the time of the royal wedding?

I'm a huge fan of the Royal Family in general and admire the Queen tremendously. Most days I read the Daily Mail online and keep up with the latest gossip. I think Prince Harry would make the perfect 'bad-boy' hero who only needs the love of the right woman to complete his life! Yes I was in England for the wedding although have to admit I watched it on TV in Cornwall about 300 miles from London. I was planning a trip close to that time and shamelessly admit to choosing my travel dates to fit in with the wedding. It was wonderful to be there and see all the non-stop coverage - I soaked it in. Luckily my husband remained in Nashville!

Stationery card

2011-12-14T14:43:00.001-06:00

Wrapped In Stripes Christmas Card

Visit Shutterfly.com for classic photo Christmas cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Reflections

2011-10-31T13:55:00.004-05:00

My amazing mother-in-law, Kathleen "Kathy" Fox, lost her battle with cancer on October 22, 2011, just hours before my two sons and I arrived in Chicago to be with her. My husband, his father, and his sister were present with Kathy when, mercifully and peacefully, she drew her final breath as she slept. We miss her greatly.

Kathy, "Grandma", was my oldest son’s biggest fan. They had such great affection and admiration for each other. She really "got" him - his personality, his needs - and oh, how he loved to perform for her! I am so sad that those performances were short numbered.

Guiding a six-year-old through loss and grief is no easy task. His kindergarten teacher and a family friend who's an expert in childhood development encouraged us to speak frankly with Brayden, listen for his cues, and satisfy his curiosities without "over" discussing anything. Wise words.

As parents, we try to protect our kids from harm. Sometimes, parents attempt to protect their kids from grief/sadness. But, grief is not harmful. Sadness is a natural and necessary feeling. I believe the children who feel most short-changed in this process are the ones who are shielded from (or even denied access to) the grieving process.

On the day Grandma died, my husband, sons, and I took a walk on the Illinois Prairie Path - a favorite pastime of Grandma's. Brayden asked, "What was Grandma's favorite flower? I'd like to plant her favorite flower to remember her by." Brayden took these photos while we were on that walk. His natural sense of artistic composition thrills me. His tender heart delights me. And I am confident that his grandmother's sense of adventure, her love of nature, and her championing of the underdog will live on in her oldest grandson.

Jack O'Lit-ern Cookies

2011-10-17T10:31:00.002-05:00

I named my blog Creative Day Café, but despite telemarketers' popular opinion, I don't actually own a café. It's a metaphor, people! Today, however, I shall share a recipe I created for Nashville's Southern Living Showcase Home cookie contest.

Jack O'Lit-ern Pumpkin Chip Cookies
(or family-friendly name: Pumpkin Chip Cookies)

1 cup butter (2 sticks - no substitutes)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 can (15 ounce) canned pure pumpkin
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ounces Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Liqueur
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups quick cooking oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspooon salt
2 cups (12 ounce package) milk chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Using a mixer, beat butter until smooth. Slowly beat in the white and brown sugars, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then mix in vanilla, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey Liqueur, and pumpkin.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.

Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds.
Stir in the milk chocolate chips (semi-sweet chocolate chips take away from the pumpkin flavoring)

Scoop the cookie dough in heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges.
Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

ENJOY!
This recipe makes a bunch of cookies - perfect for a huge holiday gathering.

Hooked Rugs by Laurie Robinson

2011-09-20T06:35:00.007-05:00

Grace (a short video)

2011-07-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

Grace (a short video)

Feeling mired in your messes? Be encouraged!

For Ash

2011-04-04T12:37:00.004-05:00

I took this photo for my friend who lives in Japan ~ the original home of the Cherry Blossom Tree.

Bucket List Craft Project

2011-02-20T10:07:00.002-06:00

How to Make a Bucket List Craft

Let's face it, dads are hard to buy birthday gifts for at any age. So, this year I wanted to do something a little bit different for my dad's birthday. Sometimes I'll hear him tell my mom, "We need to add that to our bucket list." Well, I'm sure it's a proverbial bucket list, but I decided to make him a literal one!

He's a golfer, so I chose golf tees on which to write out each item on the list, but I think it'd also be fun to use a bigger 'bucket' and write the list on ping-pong balls. If the intended recipient likes to sew, you could write the list on empty spools of thread. Just use your imagination.

I covertly asked my dad to list some things on his bucket list and then I used existing online bucket lists for inspiration.

I typed out my list then played around with the fonts and point sizes. I printed out several lists and crinkled the paper, then stamped them with a distressing ink pad. Then, I glued the slips of paper to my "bucket" (craft pail). I added a few coats of decoupage then glued a ribbon and embellishment around it. I kept mine pretty simple, but you could really get creative with this project!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Countdown to Charleston's Festival of Houses & Gardens

2011-02-18T11:04:00.007-06:00

Garden of the late Emily Whaley, 58 Church Street Photo Credit: Historic Charleston Foundation

"Gardening, to yield all of its pleasures, truly is an ongoing enterprise, one that develops your eye for beauty of all kinds -- color, shape, design, and light. It provides an avenue to creativity." Emily Whaley, Mrs. Whaley and Her Charleston Garden

Keep Going

2011-02-15T14:56:00.004-06:00

"For me, painting takes faith. When my creative reserves are empty, I have to trust that they will be filled again. This is life. With all the struggles, mistakes, and lack of clarity, we have to keep going - we can't stop." -- David Arms, artist

Cupids Love Cookies!

2011-02-13T20:32:00.004-06:00

Perfect Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

Nothing says "Be Mine" quite like home-baked cookies. Your littlest sweethearts will love helping you decorate cookies for your true Valentine.

I used this rolled sugar cookie recipe and this royal icing recipe.

Kids' Valentine's Day Exchange

2011-02-13T10:37:00.000-06:00

Kids love Valentine's Day parties and exchanging cards/gifts. Now, for all you busy moms out there, trust me, the thing the kids like the most are the treats! So, don't stress about time consuming crafting. However, if you enjoy the process of making crafts and/or your kids do, then here are a couple of ideas.

I simply placed some Valentine treats in cello bags with VERY simple cardstock toppers stamped with each child's name. On the back, I used an Avery label for the "to/from" portion. Inside the bag I placed the heart lollipops I posted about earlier, a pretzel stick dipped in chocolate and coated with sprinkles, some candy and excelsior, then stapled on the topper.

Now, check out the adorable fabric sack my son's teacher made for each child. Isn't that so cute? If you like to sew, it'd be very easy to whip a few of these together for any occasion.

Chocolate and Wine: A Perfect Pair

2011-02-09T12:57:00.004-06:00

"Arrington's Raspberry Wine: The One That's a Perfect Pair"

When I saw this photo in an email from Arrington Vineyards, I thought, "Hey, those truffles look familiar." Perhaps that's because they're eerily similar to the truffles on the cover of the book I co-wrote with Artisan Chocolatier, Bethany Thouin, Chocolate Covered Friendship. Sure enough, Bethany created this truffle exclusively for the local winery, Arrington Vineyards, co-owned by country music superstar Kix Brooks.

The truffles are available at Bethany's artisan chocolate cafe, The Cocoa Tree, in the Germantown district of Nashville or online.

Game Day Treats!

2011-02-06T09:41:00.002-06:00

Are you ready for some football sweets?

Fantasy Football Brownies

These football brownies are so easy! Simply bake your favorite brownie mix, then cut the brownies into football shapes. (I crafted a make-shift cookie cutter out of a leaf-shaped cookie cutter that I no longer wanted.) Then, melt some milk chocolate in a double broiler and dip the smooth side of the brownie into the chocolate. Let that cool. In a Ziploc baggie, melt some white chocolate chips (be careful not to burn them, use half-power for about 15 seconds at a time). Cut a tiny slit in the corner of the baggie and pipe football laces onto the brownies! It's a hit.

Fourth and YUM!

This stuff is foul-proof! I don't know what to call it. Popcorn smackdown? Just toss pantry staples into a big metal bowl (popcorn, pretzels, Chex cereal, Cheerios, peanuts, M&M's, etc.) Then, melt a package of white candy coating (sometimes called almond bark) and slowly mix the melted coating onto the dry stuff. I also colored some of the almond bark to match team colors (in this case green and yellow) and then drizzled the colored candy on top for a festive touch. Beware, it's addictive.

Line of Scrumptious!

These are my "Winning Season Strawberries"! They are chocolate-covered strawberries decorated to look like footballs. One important thing I learned is to use whole strawberries. If you cut them in half before you dip them, all the juices will ruin the coating.

Gridiron Goodies

So, for these yummies, I simply put peanut butter on Ritz crackers to make cracker sandwiches. Then, I dipped them in milk chocolate and then piped white chocolate on top (see football brownies) to make the laces. (You could do the same thing with oreo cookies.)

For presentation, I painted yard lines on a piece of AstroTurf (or whatever you call that outdoor carpeting you buy at the home improvement store). For the brownies, I cut wax paper to put each brownie on. I put the strawberries on a glass plate and put the plate on top of the turf.

The Art of Gift Giving

2011-02-05T19:24:00.006-06:00

My dear friend Shacina is one of the best gift-givers I know. It's an artform, really. The thing that makes her gifts so special is the perfect thoughtfulness she puts into each gift she gives. For example, she chose this necklace for me because there are two birds - representing my two sons. (One of the birds is a red bird, and my baby has red hair!) And for the lotus flower which symbolizes the purity of heart and mind. (Necklace made by Kelcey Loomer of Sweet Mess.)

Last year she searched high and low to give me this gorgeous Huguenot cross necklace because of the significance it holds in my first novel (as yet unpublished). I nearly cried when I opened it! Now that's the sign of a good gift!

I suppose it helps that Shacina herself is a very artsy chic, but I think more than anything her thoughtfulness is a sign to me that she wants to know me, and that she loves me for who I am. At least, that's how I feel as the recipient.

The moral: Give good gifts. It's not the price tag that touches hearts, it's the sentiment.

If Only I Had a Daughter ...

2011-02-03T11:21:00.006-06:00

I love these butterfly accents in the Butterfly Craze Home Store at Modnique. I'm new to Modnique, but it looks like they have some awesome sales. Use this link to sign up!

And check out these adorable costumes from Butterfly Craze costumes! *sigh*
All of you moms-of-girls need to share your joy with me! Sign up here and you'll get a $5.00 credit toward your first order. Also, spend $20 or more on any items from the Butterfly Craze Costume or Home Decor events and get FREE shipping with the coupon code SOCUTE at checkout! (Thanks, Hip2Save!)

2011-02-01T15:46:00.002-06:00

My uber-artsy friend, Amy Peterman, sent me a box of papercrafting goodies from Fancy Pants Design because I won her blog contest. It felt like Christmas!
The products inspired me to make this little magnet out of a tin can lid.

Thanks, Amy! I'll post more projects soon.

Words to Live By

2011-01-31T16:38:00.003-06:00

When I saw this posted on Facebook, I was inspired to render my own interpretation via watercolor. Definitely words to live by!

Valentine's Idea

2011-01-28T14:57:00.003-06:00

I saw this cute Valentine craft in Family Fun magazine this month. Next year I'll know to save some candy canes from Christmas because I had a hard time finding any after Christmas!

I think the smallest heart is the cutest, but that required breaking the candy cane and most of them crumbled when I tried to break them.

How to: Place wax paper on a cookie sheet. Put two candy canes together to form a heart. Put a lollipop stick in the middle. Pour melted white choloate in the "heart" then add sprinkles! Place in small cello bag and tie with a ribbon.

2010-12-15T17:56:00.000-06:00

Beautiful Things

2010-11-21T13:38:00.003-06:00

I'm thankful to worship at a church where art is appreciated. Local artist Craig McDonald created a sculpture to complement this morning's service. The production was captured in a video featuring the following song:

Beautiful Things by Gungor

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll even find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

David Arms - Free Shipping

2010-11-21T09:02:00.003-06:00

My favorite local artist, David Arms, is offering free shipping on any size order at his website!

My Dream Decorator!

2010-11-19T14:32:00.006-06:00

Last night I attended B. Branan White's Open House at his "Revival Home Inspirations" studio in Nashville with two of my favorite creative gals. (One of whom blogs here.) I first discovered Branan at a tour of homes last year at King's Chapel; Arrington, TN. So, in honor of this decorator's amazing talent, I'm posting photos from that event. The art is by a talented gal named Amber Wallace. I left you wanting more, didn't I? Check out Branan's studio at 990 Davidson Ave, Nashville.

Music Review: Jars of Clay, The Shelter

2010-09-29T07:42:00.003-05:00

Jars of Clay's new album, "The Shelter" releases Tuesday (Oct.5) and it's the topic of my next newspaper column. Relevant magazine is currently streaming the album here. But not for long, I'm sure. Here's a preview of my column:

Living near Music City often affords us unexpected experiences I call, "Music City Moments".... You stand in the checkout line at Publix behind the artist who's song is being played overhead at that very moment. You order a Chick-fil-A sandwich beside the musician who's autographed guitar is anchored to the wall. You realize the guy in the car next to you at the stoplight is the singer/songwriter of the song you're embarrassingly singing along with the radio.... The songs on a hit record are based on a column you've humbly written in a local newspaper.

Okay, so maybe that last one is a bit delusional. But I recently wrote a column on the importance of living in community and voila, Jars of Clay's new album, The Shelter is all about community! Coincidence? Well, yes, actually, it is a coincidence. But if I could transform my thoughts into a hit record, it would sound just like The Shelter. And lucky for us, the band (Charlie Lowell, Dan Haseltine, Matt Odmark, and Stephen Mason) lives in our community.
The album's title is based on an old Irish proverb, “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” What a lovely image. The image has even more significance considering the many "shelters" that manifested in a very physical sense after the May 1 flood in our very community. As a matter of fact, lead singer Dan Haseltine experienced severe flood damage to his home and the band's recording studio also flooded.

“I’ve experienced [the importance of community] at my own house with people showing up with shovels and gloves and doing work that I couldn’t have done without them," Haseltine said. "A lot of us have experienced that; we’ve seen the character of our community. But we need Jesus to remind us sometimes that when we stop, we’re actually part of a great privilege, a privilege to be a community, a privilege to see God’s hand working and moving through us and for us.”

In the spirit of community, the band invited a slew of area singers and musicians to join them on this album. It's really a "who’s who list” in Christian music with guests including Mac Powell, Amy Grant, Brandon Heath, David Crowder, Audrey Assad, TobyMac, Mike Donehey, Sara Groves, Derek Webb and Leigh Nash, among others, appearing on the album.

It's a great album from a great band. If you get it, I promise you'll be singing the tunes out loud in your car. But, don't be embarrassed if you look over and see Matt, Charlie, Dan or Steve in the car next to yours. Who knows, they might be belting out a tune you wrote.

Musings

2010-06-10T13:42:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I focus on the "If I's"...

"If I was a rich girl..." (Gwen Stefani)
"If I were a boy..." (Beyonce)

But I AM ...
... alive
... creative
.... captivating

Sometimes I focus on the "If I Could's..."

"If I could change the world... " (Eric Clapton)
"If I could turn back time..." (Cher)

But I can ...

... create
... love
... give
... live
... write

Sometimes I focus on the "should have's"

"Should've said no" (Taylor Swift)
"Should've been a cowboy" (Toby Keith)

But I will ...

... be the woman God made me to be
... publish my novel
... love my family well

(The cowboy thing does sound fun though)

An Open Letter to Extreme Makeover Home Edition

2010-05-24T14:20:00.004-05:00

Dear Extreme Makeover Home Edition:

The people most qualified to write this nomination for Nashville flood victims Nathan and Hollie Birckhead are currently in the trenches of flood recovery on behalf of this precious family, so please bear with me as I try to do justice to their amazing story.

From the moment Nathan and Hollie Birckhead first saw the house at 6205 River Court in Brentwood, Tennessee they knew it was the one for them. The oak tree lined river behind the home and rolling hills beyond it were the epitome of peacefulness. And peace was certainly something the young couple needed. Nathan's mother had died of cancer just prior to him meeting Hollie, Hollie's older brother ("Chuck") had cancer (He was recovering from a 16 hour surgery/radiation) and the Birckheads were dealing with infertility issues.

Yes, a little peace would be nice.

Soon, Nathan and Hollie became pregnant with TRIPLETS! Imagine their excitement.

Sadly, Hollie's beloved brother, Chuck, died of a rare cancer 18 weeks into her pregnancy. He never met his nephews and niece, one of whom, "Charlie", bears his name.

In December 2007, the triplets (Charlie, Jake and Kaylee) were born eleven weeks prematurely with delicate lungs and fragile immune systems. Jake was on oxygen for the first 8 months of his life and Charlie continues to require daily breathing treatments. The triplets were essentially quarantined to their home for the first two years of their lives because exposure to other children/germs posed too great of a risk for RSV (which would send them back to ICU at best).

Finances were tight too. Mounting medical bills, Nathan's school loans, diapers, wipes and formula purchases multiplied by three were taking their toll. And that peaceful, idyllic river that ran behind the house? Well, it now seemed like an occupational hazard considering their three babies would soon be crawling and then walking....

They tried to sell the house. Twice. But to no avail.

Imagine keeping a house ready for realtor showings with triplets! Whew! And guess what? Completely unexpectedly, the Birckheads were expecting baby #4!

About that peace....

December 10, 2009 - Sam was born
December 17 - Hollie turned 36
December 18 - Nathan and Hollie celebrated their 4th Anniversary
December 20 - The Triplets turned Two.

Four Children. Four Years. Wow!

On the afternoon of May 1, 2010 Hollie and Nathan Birckhead returned home after a wonderful morning out alone with their five month old son, Sam, thanks to a "Parents Morning Out" program that had cared for their triplets for a few hours. The parents put the triplets down for their naps and started watching weather reports about flash flood warnings in the area.

The river in their backyard began to rise. At first, they saw no cause for alarm. They'd seen the water reach their backyard time and time again. But, they soon realized this time was different. The water was rising quickly and it wasn't stopping. All of a sudden, their house was surrounded by water - all the way to the court.

Time was running out. Nathan carried all three toddlers at once from their attic bedroom, waded through raging waters and got them to dry ground in the middle of the court. A neighbor watched with the triplets while he went back in for the baby, Sam. Hollie frantically stuffed duffle bags with the triplets' medical supplies - nebulizers, breathing treatments, formula, etc., and neighbors waded through water to help her.

They loaded their five month old and the duffle bags into their vehicle and as Nathan returned to the house for "peapod sleeping tents" (a safe place for the triplets to sleep that night) Hollie had to keep moving the vehicle to higher and higher ground so that the water wouldn't sweep them away.

Nathan arrived with the family dog swimming up to the car right behind him. (Both Hollie and Nathan lost their shoes wading through the hurricane strength waters.) They made it out. But barely.

Hollie still has nightmares about what would've happened if Nathan had accidentally dropped one of the children. The current was so strong, they would've drowned. It was really a miracle that he was able to carry all three of them at one time in those conditions. The garage level of their home was flooded and neighbors told them the first floor flooded within minutes of their departure. The water didn't recede until Tuesday, three days later.

Today, the house is in ruins. A Williamson County inspector said it was the worst flood case he'd seen in the whole county. They are staying with friends and their belongings are divided between dumpsters and friends' garages. They have no idea what things survived the flood and what didn't. The family's financial situation is dire (medical bills still loom from the triplets high-cost preemie care, they have no flood insurance).

But, the family still feels blessed. They have each other and the amazing support of their community, church and friends.

Ty, can you please help this precious family create a safe home for their four young children and their aging/ailing parents?

Sincerely,

Angela Fox

Wanna help the Birckhead family? Donate to the Christ Community Church Flood Relief Fund and earmark your donation for the Birckhead family.

Creative du Jour: Susan Gamble

2010-03-23T11:30:00.020-05:00

In this photo, Sue Gamble is painting "live" in the narthex of Christ Community Church as one of two featured artists chosen as part of a recent project sponsored by The Arts Guild. Sue is the mother of five children whom she homeschooled for 18 years. She is also an art teacher at New Hope Academy and sheo teaches adult art classes at the Williamson County Rec Center and in her home.

How do you envision creativity?

My definition of being creative is stepping into God's creative process and participating. Our culture is mostly left-brained, and verbal. We like things neat and tidy. Creativity is messy. It's thinking outside the box. It is process rather than product. It is freedom and wildness and sometimes emotional. If God has made us in His image, which includes creativity, then we should prepare for an adventure.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I was born with a strong creative bent and my tendency is to be all these things. My quiet nature as a child lead me to try to fit in, and be more like other people. I was not very successful, and I didn't like school. As I got older, of course, I gave up trying and over time, delighted more and more in what God has made me to be. I am so grateful that God has set me in this life as a mom and artist and art teacher. I almost can't believe that I get to do these things.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Since I was young I wanted to see how EVERYTHING was made and to try the process myself. So, I've tried almost everything. Right now I work mostly in fiber arts, stoneware pottery and oil painting. I like the painting best. For me, a journey through the process of a painting parallels life and is very engaging and exciting.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

My dad was an artist so I began this journey early. I knew in school and elsewhere that I didn't think like other people. I liked art class but I didn't know I had ability. I was going to drop out of school with a diploma after 11th grade, because I hated school, and all I needed was my mom's signature. She didn't sign it and finally allowed me to take an art class at the end of 11th grade. After 5 minutes of drawing the teacher said, "where have you been?" The next year I took all art, to my total delight. At the end of that year I applied to my high school art teacher's college for art education. That was the beginning. After school I worked as a potter and art teacher and graphic artist. I got married, had 5 children and proceeded to home school them for 18 years. That just ended last year. I had NO time for anything except kids until I started teaching art at New Hope Academy 5 years ago and painting about 4 years ago. When I painted when I was young I was usually frustrated. But now, since I have read so many books to be able to teach well, I feel very comfortable painting and I delight in it.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Since I haven't painted for very long, I have a lot I want to experiment with and try. I always think my next paintings will be better than the ones I'm on now. I also really enjoy teaching kids and adults to do something they think they can't do. Usually they are much better than they think they are and just needed some guidance. I'll definitely continue teaching.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

I feel that I'm living my dream. When I was busy with my kids, etc., friends told me that if I didn't use my creative ability I would lose it. I really wanted to invest myself in my kids so I risked losing it. I didn't lose my ability after all! I'm very glad I spent my creative energy mommy-ing and teaching my kids, and I'm glad I have time and freedom now to step into God's creative process and participate.
Thank you so much, Sue, for sharing your vibrant gift with us.

A Few of My Favorite Friends

2010-02-11T13:26:00.005-06:00

Check out The Cocoa Tree's website where you'll see photos of a few of my favorite friends!Left to Right: Diana Beach Batarseh, Shacina Beard, Jennie Schut. Love. Love. Love these ladies.

The photo was taken at a photo shoot for the book Chocolate Covered Friendship that I coauthored with TCT owner Bethany Thouin.

While you're at the TCT site, order up some yummy truffles. Check out my friend Lauren's online review of her faves!

Let Your Fingers do the Gluing!

2010-01-27T15:45:00.002-06:00

I'm curious. How many people actually use the phone books that gnomes faithfully leave on our doorsteps each year? Well, here's an idea: Phone books are PERFECT for spray adhesive projects (and glue stick gluing too). Just put what needs to be sprayed or glue sticked on a miscellaneous phone book page, spray or glue away, remove the project and close the phone book. That particular page is forever glued shut and hundreds of new pages await your next projects.

Stir It Up!

2010-01-19T12:30:00.004-06:00

I heard the following verse quoted at a Martin Luther King, Jr. gathering
yesterday:

“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you
through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:6, 7 NKJV

Indeed, God has given us all gifts. The speaker implored, “Don’t wait for someone to stir them up for you.” How inspiring.

How are you using your creative gifts? Your gifts are unique. No one else can paint just like you, write just like you, sing just like you, [insert your gift here] just like you.

"Swirl" by artist Catherine McElroy

How are you stirring it up? The Bob Marley song, “Stir It Up” came to my mind. I thought, wouldn’t it be fun if that catchy song was relevant to this passage? I’m not familiar with the lyrics to the song, so I looked them up online. Oh my. Marley had something totally different in mind. Made me blush!

Even so, I encourage you to Stir it Up!

* Artwork used by permission of the artist. Click the link for more information about the art and artist.

Hope for Haiti

2010-01-17T09:13:00.004-06:00

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16. Jesus loves the Haitian children. He is our hope.

Samaritan's Purse is a trusted organization led by Franklin Graham. Their "Operation Christmas Child" program is dear to our hearts.

Click here to donate online through Samaritan's Purse.

I Could Be Jello

2010-01-14T19:08:00.005-06:00

Fueled by encouragement from a friend who'd read my novel's manuscript, I started searching for a literary agent in October. The first few rejections came as quickly as my search had started. I asked one agent for feedback regarding the first five pages I'd submitted with my query. Her response? My main male character just didn't grab her attention and she couldn't bear the notion of reading a whole book about him. Ouch.

I immediately started rewriting my book! Surely every other agent in the country agreed with the first agent to offer feedback to me.

Then, I stopped writing altogether. The book was becoming something that just wasn't me.

Lately, I've been pondering a key scene in the Julia Roberts movie, "My Best Friend's Wedding." In the scene, Julia's character, Julianne, is arguing with Kimmy (Cameron Diaz) about the kind of woman Michael (Dermot Mulroney) really wants and needs. Julianne: ... Okay, you're Michael, you're in a fancy french restaurant, you order... creme brulee for dessert, it's beautiful, it's sweet, it's irritatingly perfect. Suddenly, Michael realizes he doesn't want creme brulee, he wants something else.
Kimmy: What does he want?
Julianne: Jello.
Kimmy: Jello?! Why does he want jello?
Julianne: Because he's comfortable with jello, jello makes him... comfortable. I realiae, compared to creme brulee it's... jello, but maybe that's what he needs.
Kimmy: I could be jello.
Julianne: No! Creme brulee can never be jello, you could never be jello.
Kimmy: I have to be jello.

In my situation, I identify more with the jello than the creme brulee, but the point still stands. I must be the jello God made me to be and write the jello God wants me to write. And pray, pray, pray that there's an agent out there that's craving jello.

Book Review: Max Lucado

2010-01-14T18:52:00.000-06:00

The year was 1992 – my Senior year of high school. I was a sales associate at Family Christian Stores at the Macon Mall. There was a particular author I found myself recommending over and over and over. Max Lucado. I wasn’t sure if it was pronounced loo-kay-doe or loo-kah-doe. But, I hand sold quite a few copies of No Wonder They Call Him the Savior (published 1986), God Came Near (1987), Six Hours One Friday (1989), The Applause of Heaven (1990) and more. (For the record, Max pronounces his name loo-kay-doe.)

Whenever hurting people needed encouragement, could count on Max’s books to assist them in their journey toward healing. Believe it or not 2010 marks Max’s 25th year as a published author. He has published over 75 books and related projects for both adults and children. And he is still the pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.

How could I have known as an employee at Family that one day I’d have the privilege to market one of Max’s books, Grace for the Moment, as a publicist at Thomas Nelson Publishers.

He is truly a remarkable man. Two of his most recent books are currently burning up my bookshelf. The first, Fearless, Max invites readers to “Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less. Can you imagine your life without fear?”

What a timely message for our nation.

The other book, His Name is Jesus, is an absolutely beautiful full color book that journeys from the birth of Christ to His resurrection.

Drawing from his classic writing on Jesus combined with new reflections and breathtaking art, Max Lucado again opens our eyes—and hearts—to the life and work of the Savior in a way that will change lives forever. “Jesus was, at once, common and not; alternately normal and heroic. One minute blending in with the domino players in the park, the next commanding the hell out of madmen, disease out of the dying, and death out of the dead.” Who was this man who spoke as easily with kids and fishermen as widows and waves? It is the question that has echoed down through the centuries to us today, and here is a visually stunning book that answers aspects of that question.

If I were a bookstore clerk today, I can guarantee you I’d be hand-selling these two books!

Happy New Year

2010-01-02T11:44:00.000-06:00

“We learn from the artists, from those who work in paint or words, or musical notes, from those who have eyes that see and ears that hear and hearts that feel deeply and passionately about all that is sacred and dear to God.” -- Ken Gire, Windows of the Soul

Welcome to the World Amelia-Grey

2009-12-07T07:58:00.003-06:00

What is it about new life that is so inspiring? Check out this incredible baby video.
You don't have to know sweet Amelia-Grey to be utterly moved. As for the fancy website? It helps that her daddy is an amazing photographer/web developer! (Previously featured on this site.)

Teacher Gift Idea

2009-10-22T20:37:00.001-05:00

I made this Chai tea gift for Valentine's Day, but they make great Christmas gifts, too.

Handmade Teacher Gifts for Valentine's Day

Candy coated pretzels are easy to make and always a hit. Drop 'em in a cello bag and tie with a ribbon. Embellish with a heart shaped measuring spoon and tie with a handstamped tag.

Feeling more ambitious? Make some Chai Tea. (Recipe follows.) In Hebrew the word "chai" means life. Print the Hebrew symbol for "chai" on fabric and place under the jar lid. Write serving instructions on a metal rimmed office tag and tie around the jar.

Keep it simple by placing the gifts in a kraft bag. Print "To and From" information using an old fashioned typewriter style font and adhere to heart shaped measuring spoon. Tie with a gingham bow.

Chai Tea Recipe

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 cup French vanilla flavored powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 teaspoons ground ginger

Directions: In a large bowl, combine milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. In a food processor, blend 1 cup at a time, until mixture is the consistency of fine powder.

To serve: Stir 2 heaping tablespoons Chai tea mixture into a mug of hot water.
1 teaspoon ground cloves1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Among the Wildflowers

2009-10-20T10:31:00.003-05:00

My first novel, Among the Wildflowers, is complete! Wish me luck as I search for an agent.

Creative du Jour: Julie Westall

2009-10-06T12:19:00.006-05:00

Julie Westall of Sapphire Road Stained Glass was introduced to stained glass art over twenty years as a college student in Hutchinson, Kansas where she worked part-time job at a local stained glass studio. “The shop owner taught me how to create small sun catchers and run the shop in her absence. I loved working there and really hated having to get a ‘real’ job once I graduated,” she said. “I kept several pieces of my favorite glass for years, through births of babies, a career in insurance and a move to Tennessee. In early 2005 I made the decision to return to this craft that I loved. It was then that I jumped in with both feet and began creating." Julie blogs at www.sapphireroad.blogspot.com

How long have you been creating stained glass art? How did you become interested in this medium ?

In 1986 I fell into a part-time job at a local stained glass studio while in college in Hutchinson, Kansas. The woman who owned the shop taught me how to create small suncatchers and run the shop in her absence. I loved working there and really hated having to quit to take on a “real” job once I graduated. I kept several pieces of my favorite glass for years, through births of babies, a career in insurance and a move to Tennessee. In early 2005 I made the decision to return to this craft that I loved so much all those years ago. It was then that I jumped in with both feet and began creating.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I can remember drawing high fashion shoes in elementary school. My grandmother and great aunt always had the greatest shoes, so fashionable, and so I would draw them out on paper and then began designing my own. I think I still have a drawing or two hidden away somewhere. Throughout high school I held on to the dream that upon graduation I would move to New York City and become a designer. Looking back, I never really took that seriously. Watching shows like Project Runway I realize just how little I knew about the fashion industry and how nieve I was. Luckily my dad talked me out of wanting to live in the big apple. I dabbled in different mediums in high school, becoming a member of the National Art Honor Society. One watercolor I did of a rose won 2nd place at the Kansas State Fair. While I drew shoes and painted an award winning watercolor, nothing captivated me like the glisten of stained glass. Life took a different direction and I had to put the creative side of me on hold. In the late 90’s a co-worker suggested I give writing a try when she saw a letter I had written. So I tried my hand at becoming a romance novelist. I had two short stories published but could never get that novel off the ground.

How do you envision creativity?
I envision creativity as seeds planted by all of our experiences through life. All sorts of things come out of a planted seed; a solid sturdy tree, a prickly wicked weed and beautifully colorful foliage. Everyone’s creativity sprouts a different form which is what makes art so diversly wonderful.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?
Thankful for all of my life experiences, good and bad. They have made me the woman I am today.

What is your favorite creative outlet?
Pairing glass colors and textures with a pattern.

What inspires you?
My children are my greatest inspiration. I want them to challenge themselves, to know what they are capable of accomplishing if they only try it… put themselves out there. It is there that I try to lead by example.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?
The exciting part of being on a creative journey is in not knowing what the future holds! I believe there are untapped areas of my own creativity that I am unaware of at this time that will sprout in their own due time. I always look forward to what will develop next.

Do you have any creative dreams / aspirations you could share?
My dream is to create a cohesive series of work that when people see it will know it is one of my works.

Tell us about your studio at the Row. How long have you been there? Can people watch you at work?
I opened on The Row @ The Factory this past July. It is a fabulously creative environment and I’m loving every minute I am there! I do work at the studio on commissioned projects and pieces to be sold in the studio. People can come by and watch or ask questions. I also have a limited array of glass and supplies that students and hobbyists can purchase.

The Row @ The Factory is located at 230 Franklin Rd., Ste. 12-S; Franklin, TN 37064

Creative du Jour: Debora Coty

2009-10-06T12:05:00.006-05:00

Debora is a prolific writer whose latest book, Mom NEEDS Chocolate, tackles topics including marriage, children, depression, aging and more with humor and grace. (She had me at chocolate.)

Tell us about your journey to becoming an author.

Well, the seed was planted early but the fertilizer didn’t kick in for a few decades. I didn’t start writing until my youngest chick flew the coop; I was 45 and busy in a 25-year career as an orthopedic occupational therapist and a 20-year stint as a piano teacher. Not exactly recommended training for a writing career.

I was an avid reader growing up and always dreamed of writing an inspirational young adult novel like Christy by Catherine Marshall (I devoured it nine times as a teen). Christy had a huge impact on my life (the escaped hatchling referred to above is named …can you guess? Christy!). I wanted to touch someone else’s heart and faith the way Christy touched mine. But alas, life, as life tends to do, intervened and college, marriage, career, and babies back-burnered my dream about 20 years. Then one day in the dentist’s office I saw an ad for a writing contest and heard a divine still, small voice whisper, “It’s time.”

No, I didn’t win the contest, but The Distant Shore, my first novel (based on an amazing true story), but birthed. Six years, later, I’ve been blessed with over 80 articles published in international magazines, newspapers and trade journals, and eleven book contracts. My newest releases, Mom Needs Chocolate (4/09, Regal) and Everyday Hope (8/09, Barbour) are numbers eight and nine.

How do you envision creativity?

What a cool question. Hmm. I think people are like baggies. Yup, quart-sized, ziplock baggies. Alone, we’re wimpy, shapeless, colorless, and transparently empty. I see creativity as the substance that fills us, giving us the characteristics, the personality of that substance. It becomes our shape, our color, our identity. Our transparency becomes a good thing because the substance that fills us shows through.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?
My baggie is filled with purple Kiwi juice and raisins – fun, fluid, natural, almost sweet but with a surprising tanginess. In my case, creativity flows from my reserves of faith. Although I’m not sure where that warped humor tributary flows from.

Besides writing, what is your other favorite creative outlet?

I lie a lot. No, really, I enjoyed creating fun, girls-night-out events called Choc-OUT Parties in conjunction with the 2009 Mother’s Day release of Mom Needs Chocolate. I’ve written music for fun: scripture songs, instrumentals, kids musicals. In my job as an occupational therapist, I create customized splints and adaptive equipment to help physically challenged people live more independently. Nothing’s more invigorating than creativity that enriches a life!

What inspires you?

Chocolate. Love. Sunbeams (to me they look like Papa God’s fingers reaching down from heaven to caress His beloved creation).

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

I’m currently working on a new book, Too Stressed to Feel Blessed: And Other Feminine Fairy Tales. I’d love to invite your gal readers aged 18-65 to contribute data by jogging over to my website http://www.deboracoty.com/ and filling out a short time management survey. They’ll be entered in a drawing for a wonderful stress survival kit and their data will be included in the book!

Do you have any creative dreams/ aspirations you could share?

I’d like to travel and spend a little time in Europe writing an inspirational romantic novel. While plowing through a case of Swiss chocolate.

As a mother of two, how do you incorporate creativity into your daily life?

a.) How do you find TIME for your own creative outlet(s)?
I gave up sleep. You have to be careful what you pray for. I asked God for more hours in the day and He sent me early menopause. Now I have all night too.

b.) How do you [attempt] to spark creativity within your children?
Turn off the TV; limit the computer; read, imagine, pick wild flowers, make up songs, and create plays. Face-to-face time.

c.) Do you manage a and b AND keep a clean house? If so, do tell your secret.
As I discuss in Too Stressed to Feel Blessed, I lowered my cleanliness standards years ago when my kids were babies. I’m neat but not immaculate; orderly but not obsessed. Clean enough for health, dirty enough for happiness. I mean, really, who can withstand the relentless forces of what I call Spontaneous Degeneration? That’s another Coty near-fact of science (one of many in my books) that states that when left in an unnaturally clean state, matter will spontaneously atrophy into indiscriminant disarray. An hour after you triumphantly finish slaving over a clean house, mold begins sprouting on shiny faucets, green slime oozes from the vegetable crisper, tiny hairs creep up from the drain and imbed themselves in the bathroom sink, and dust bunnies proliferate for a closet reunion.

What advice would you give to harried moms who desire to be creative, but simply can’t find the time or energy for their personal creative pursuits?

Set priorities based on your desired outcomes for yourself and your family. Ask yourself: 15 years from now, will it really matter if my microwave sparkled?

Artist du Jour: Ash K Geary

2009-09-09T08:13:00.012-05:00

There was a girl who edited the high school yearbook. There was a boy who took the photographs for the high school yearbook. That girl edits this blog. That boy takes the stunning photographs displayed in today’s post. He is my artist du jour: Ash K Geary. He needs no editor. His photography speaks for itself. I, however, need his photography.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional photographer? Tell us a little bit about your creative journey.

I decided to pursue photography professionally less than 4 years ago, though I’ve been shooting since I was about 12.

As a child, I was very interested in drawing. When I was 7, I first made a connection between an image and the idea that there was a person behind the creation of it. I became enthralled with the idea of being able to draw what I saw. My first great work of art was the ship from the Old Spice bottle.

Drawing was always challenging for me, and I was rarely happy with the results.

My first exposure to the field of photography happened around the age of 10. I started hanging out at a print shop in my neighborhood. The owner taught me how to use the projection camera and the basics of developing black and white photos. I loved the smell of the chemicals and how the room was always cool and dark. Shortly afterward, my father bought a new camera and I would use it on occasion.

I never really saw photography as an art form. Maybe it was too literal for my taste, or maybe I didn’t find it as challenging as drawing, but somehow throughout my life I’ve repeatedly found a camera in my hand.

Ultimately I pursued a career in graphic art in the form of print, television, dvds and eventually internet/web graphics.

Being able to approach photography from a design perspective, using advanced technology for editing, and the ease and convenience of digital photography, finally helped me realize the artistic potential of photography.

How do you envision creativity?

Interesting question. I’m not really good at envisioning anything. I tend to follow attraction. If I’m attracted to something, I capture it in the way that I feel best interprets some internal emotional construct.

What inspires you?
Almost everything. That is to say, if I find it beautiful, I find it inspiring.

Conceptually, I’m attracted to concepts like “decay” and “time". I think these concepts can be disturbing to people, but I attempt to show the beauty of such things. I like a feeling of solitude and moodiness.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

I dream of going to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Battleship Island in Nagasaki, Japan (Hashima Island if you google it). There’s a lot of decay and destruction there that I want to capture. I’m currently in correspondence with the Japanese government to get permission to shoot there.

As a photographer you’ve said you enjoy photographing concepts like "time" or "decay". You said, “I find those acts of nature to be extraordinarily beautiful. For example, I would probably find taking a picture of an old woman more interesting than taking a picture of an infant.” Tell me more.

Well, if you think about it in one way, there’s no mystery to a baby for me. It’s beautiful, like a flower is beautiful. But when I look at this baby, I’m not curious about its story. I know its story: “I was born”. The end. But looking at age, you see the marks of time. You see lines and eyes that have their own voice. They are like living books.

It’s the same with buildings for me. To see a building in decay, I get this overwhelming sense that time has passed here. The building is saying, “once I was young and strong, and now I’m barely able to stand. People walked through me once and thought I was beautiful. Now I’m alone.” I find this kind of story to be so powerful, and it serves as a good reminder to me about the temporary status of things.

What advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?

Shoot, shoot, shoot… Don’t worry about what anyone thinks about your work. If you enjoy it, that is enough. Continue to challenge yourself. Turn your concepts upside down and inside out. And if I may quote advice that I received from another photographer, “Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Take your work to galleries, put it up on the web, visit museums. Never take advice from someone who isn’t willing to do the same.”

Creative du Jour: David Arms

2009-09-06T21:16:00.000-05:00

Repost. Originally posted Nov. 2008

How is it possible for an inanimate painting to move someone to tears? The more I learn about the emotions artist David Arms paints into his work, the better I understand the emotions his work elicits within me.

David’s close friend, Lloyd Shadrach, knows this firsthand. His daily dialogues with the artist have developed into several of David’s art exhibition including his most recent show at Bennett Galleries in Nashville entitled, “igbok” or “it’s gonna be o.k.”.

“When David and I became friends in 2003 we connected around issues of life, faith and hope. I’m a teaching pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood so David and I talked about how our respective careers are connected. We both speak about the nature of faith and hope. David uses paint. I use words,” Lloyd said.

At that time Lloyd was teaching a series on the Old Testament Book of Ruth. The friends would discuss Lloyd’s teachings and the images that came to David’s mind as he listened and studied. Those discussions turned into an art show held at the church. By the end of the series, the church’s arcade was filled with David’s paintings, along with written excerpts from their conversations.

This past summer the friends were having a conversation about hope when Lloyd shared the phrase “it’s gonna be o.k.”. “I told David that this phrase seemed to be the most simple, most comforting thing one could hear in difficult times. There were numerous times when David, and others, had said it to me in one way or another in my time of need,” Lloyd explained. “It’s also the phrase we use to comfort our children when they are hurt or afraid. It’s not that we can ‘heal’ their scrapes or broken hearts – but our words, these words, are like a salve to them.”

The ‘igbok’ concept is a continual dialogue for the pair. Last year they put that dialogue into action through a mission trip to South Sudan and they are returning there later this month. “South Sudan is a place of tremendous hardship and need. Since our last visit the village was attacked and over sixty people died. All of their huts and belonging were burned. There is no guarantee that won’t happen again. How do we tell these people it’s gonna be o.k?” Lloyd asked.

His answer? “We can’t tell them it’s gonna be o.k. if by that we mean they will never be hurt, their homes will not be destroyed, they will not lose their lives to other tribes or militant Muslims. We can only tell them it’s gonna be o.k. if by that we help them understand that God loves them and has provided in the gospel a hope that is real. A hope that tells them God will one day set all things right. ‘O.K.’ has to be defined as God defines it, not as we would.”

The only way to know that "it's gonna be o.k." is to know and believe God's promise. He made an unbreakable covenant to us that He will make all things right one day. In this life, His
promises come amid the darkness where we reach out in faith. -- David Arms

David added, “Ultimately, we both want to uplift and encourage. We're not saying life isn't hard, because it is, but we are saying that we are never without hope. It is a message that applies here and the other side of the world.”

David Arms original work is exclusively available at Bennett Gallery in Nashville and Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta. Giclee reproductions and fine art posters are available by clicking here.

There Will Come A Day
There will come a day when the lion and the lamb will lie down together and all things will live in peace and harmony. No fear. No death. No pain.
In that place we will sit in God's sheer, sweet goodness and it will last for eternity. That's His promise. And it's in His hands.

An interview with David:

How do you envision creativity? How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I envision creativity truly as a gift from God. I feel so close to
Him in times of being creative. I feel like a conduit for a message.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I have always been creative, but it wasn't until my mid thirties that creativity became so much a part of my occupation. I was a special event designer (doing corporate and social events across the country) then a visual artist (which I was doing as recreation). Suddenly I was juggling two great careers and in 1996 I retired from the event industry to become a full-time artist and a new dad.

What inspires you?

Creation inspires me. In nature - God's creation - a miracle is available at any given moment. It is necessary for me to stop, be aware, then be inspired. I started a blog on my site called "3 1/2 acres" encouraging others and myself to stop and be aware of the miracles around us. The photos on this site are all taken within the 3 1/2 acres where I live. My little heaven full of miracles.

Tell us about your current exhibition entitled, “igbok”.

"igbok" is a word I want the world to know. We must believe it. This word came from a conversation with Lloyd Shadrach when we were talking about hope and the desire we all have to know "it's gonna be o.k.". The word was birthed right then and there over a cup of coffee.

And somehow, viewing David’s art, you realize indeed, it is gonna to be okay. What a gift from God to be able to express such emotions without using words! Thank you so much, David, for sharing your talent and sharing your thoughts.

The Greater Story by David Arms
All of us are living a story. Our lives have a beginning, middle and yes, an end.
But all of us are living in a "Greater Story". The Greater Story is God's
story of creation, fall, redemption and recreation. This is the story in
process: God created everything. Mankind fell in sin. God made a way for man to be forgiven (redeemed). God promises that one day He will recreate everything...better than it ever was... never to be disturbed...or end. This
"Greater Story" is the story of hope.

I have come to use a nest with three eggs as my symbol of hope, and this painting uses that symbol to tell God's Greater Story.
Life is given, protected and nurtured in creation.
Life is broken, our hopes dashed, our world a ruin in the fall.
In redemption God's promise invites us to let Him put our life, our hope, back together.
In the recreation we experience life with God, as God always
intended...forever.
We might say the Greater Story is Hope...Hopeless...Hopeful...Hope fully realized.

All of the images in today's post are from David Arm's igbok collection. To view more from this collection or for purchasing information, visit http://www.davidarms.com/. David's portrait was photographed by Kyle Dreier. Used by permission.

Creative du Jour: Tori Grant

2009-08-26T20:22:00.000-05:00

In my newspaper column today I mention a sewing class for girls being offered this fall by Tori Grant. I thought I'd repost her Creative Day Cafe interview along with information about the class. I wish I could take it!

Here's the information from my column:
The ever talented Tori Grant ... is offering a special sewing class for girls ages 10-13 in her home. Students will learn how to use a sewing machine, hand-sewing techniques, how to use patterns, appliqués on a machine and more. Projects include a handmade handkerchief, pincushion, lined tote bag, apron and a fabric ornament. The class will meet once we kly for 12 weeks September through November. Cost is $80, which includes tuition and supplies. Sibling discount available. Space is limited. Click here for more information.

I once had the privilege of participating in an intensive "art therapy" group called "Waking Up Grey" with the beautiful and talented Tori Grant. Her insightful perceptiveness is ever-intriguing and her boundless creative energy is awe-inspiring. Tori is keenly self-discerning and she astutely incorporates that awareness into her art and her views on art, creativity and beauty.

To visit Tori's blog click here.

How do you envision creativity?

The more I read about, think about and make art, the more I see the creative process as integral to being an image bearer. It is a crucial part of who I am, and it helps me to say something about how my story has unfolded, and, more importantly, it is a skill to be developed for serving others. The talent, as limited as I feel it is at times, is one of God's greatest gifts to me. And it is a joy to share it with others.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

Made in the image of God, creating out of His abundance, to reflect His Glory, to tell His Story, to do His Will.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

It has been and continues to be a searching desire for more beauty, skill and a unique vision. Very early experiences with ugliness, poverty and evil ignited in me a hunger for beauty, and the desire to create and add to the beauty of creation. Part of my frustration (anger) with God has been that I am mostly self-taught. (Opportunities for classes and continuing instruction seemed to mostly always have been thwarted.) I learned at an early age to figure out life and how to do things on my own. It was a survival skill. The hindrance is, that I tend to not ask for help or seek outside my own thinking for answers. Another barrier is the idea that my work and myself as an artist are not legitimate, because I lack an "official" piece of paper that says "She has completed the necessary course of study, to be called "Artist." And, when I dwell on this, I get overwhelmed with art fear or art envy or I despair of ever doing better.

(Disclaimer: The Management wishes to state that while the above paragraph is true, as it expresses my feelings about my creative journey, there has always existed opportunities for things like practice-an ugly word to the undisciplined mindset- and I have been extremely blessed with encouraging friends, family members and colleagues who took me seriously. Thank you. We now return you to the regularly scheduled interview!)

So, that is where I am wounded as an artist. Art fear is big part of my struggle. Waking Up Grey was an amazing experience for me. It was an invitation for me to go to those wounded places, with God. Before, I had always tried to be creative apart from God, often even in direct opposition to God. For a while, I tried to find life in Art, thinking that success as an artist would heal me and instead, it became an iron sword, on which I committed emotional and relational suicide.

Now, when art fear attacks, I know that God is working on me, in me and that I am not alone. It is still hard, facing the fear of not being good enough, skilled enough, or the fear of failing, but the only way out is through it, with God.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Collage and painting, together. Mixed-media engages me the way learning to put puzzles together engaged me as a child. It must be a tactile-kinesthetic part of how I process life and make art.

Recently, I have started re-purposing found objects into three dimensional pieces. A work entitled "Psyche's Story" is almost finished, and I am starting another assemblage that is a response to my father's failing health and pending death. Then, I have a clock, sort of a house/bird cage looking thing, and I want to do something with it that will be about Time.

What inspires you?
Stories, of course. Images appear in my brain from either the spoken or written word. (A note of thanks for Mr. Selfe, my 9th grade English teacher, who ignited the love of language and great literature!) I make connections with a particular phrase or idea and then off I go, making something to express that connection.

I'll also find things at thrift stores or tag sales, etc. that I can recreate into story pieces.
(Unabashed self promotional moment: see my blog for more about this idea!)

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?
On to better expressions of God's grace, beauty and goodness. I love this quote from Renoir: "For me, a picture should be something likable, joyous, and beautiful-yes, beautiful. There are enough ugly things in life for us not to add to them." So, I want to continually add to the beauty.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?
I want to learn to paint in oils and make delightful, humorous little still life paintings. I would love to go to an Atelier and hone the drawing skills that I need to do those paintings. It would be so fun, I think, to learn plien air painting. Also, I want to illustrate children's books.

You have a rich knowledge/interest in literature. Is there a particular author/poet/writer that especially inspires you?
C.S. Lewis for theology and for stories that make me ask questions like: What if God is terrible in a way that is overwhelmingly beautiful? What would that feel like, look like? What if God's beauty IS irresistible? These question come from reading "Til We Have Faces."

Other writers who get inside of me are:
Gerard Manly Hopkins, who has this amazing way of piling up adjectives and reading him makes me think in almost abstract metaphors.
David Bayles & Ted Orland's "Art & Fear" is also a thought -provoking read. A must read, in fact, for all concerned with creating art.

Favorite poem/work?
I always come back to "When Earth's Last Picture is Painted", by Rudyard Kipling, for a poem that expresses what I hope Heaven will be like for artists.
Favorite artist of all time, ever: Rembrandt van Rijn
2nd favorite: Vincent van Gogh
3rd: Jan Ver Meer
(Hey, they are all Dutch! Coincidence, I think not. Because, I like God, do not believe in coincidence!)

How does your extensive reading influence your creativity?
It fuels the fire. And makes me restless for more skill to express the ideas that come.

Other things that I do to keep creativity going strong are visits with art friends, especially those who are kind enough to serve as mentors. I enjoy walking in the woods, going for rambles with my dog, Captain Jack Sparrow, a basenji-boston terrier mix. Often, I will have music by Mozart or Vivaldi playing when I work. I like Enya, Loreena McKennit and Phil Keaggy as background music also.

Some of my favorite movie soundtracks are : The Lord of The Rings, Narnia: Lion, Witch and Wardrobe, Amazing Grace and Chariots of Fire. -- "It was when I was happiest that I longed most...The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from." C.S. Lewis, Til We Have Faces

Creative Proposal!

2009-08-26T09:24:00.004-05:00

Today, my weekly newspaper column features a very fun story today about a creative young man's marriage proposal. Enjoy.

Monopoly, July 4 parade converge for unique proposal

Cottonwood Estates resident Sarah Lynch, daughter of Dan and Kim Lynch, has added a significant item to her list of reasons why July 4 is her favorite day of the year. Growing up in the picturesque subdivision, the Carson-Newman College senior has always loved the annual neighborhood parades, the subsequent gathering of neighbors and friends at the clubhouse and pool and the swim-team-sponsored barbecue. She even cooks the hotdogs for the event, a tradition she began as a swim team member years ago alongside her mom and her best friend, Alice Fleet, and continues today.

Sarah was especially excited about this year's parade theme: board games. You see, Sarah is an avid collector of Monopoly board games. Before this year's parade, her collection contained 52 editions. Thanks to her beau, Cory Jones, whom she met during their freshman year at Carson Newman, her collection now has one very special limited edition addition.

You see, Cory built a one-of-a-kind Monopoly game for Sarah using real game pieces and a wooden box. With the assistance of Cottonwood's parade organizer and fellow Carson Newman alumni, Lonnie Castle, Cory presented the game to Sarah during this year's post-parade festivities. She thought she'd merely won a door prize until Cory announced, "This special Monopoly game comes complete with a proposal." He slipped a telltale jewelry box from the game and asked Sarah to marry him before onlooking family, friends and neighbors, including Cory's mother who'd driven up from Atlanta and had been hiding behind a float.

Sarah said yes.

But wait folks, there's more to this charming story. Seems Sarah and Cory were destined to be together, but sometimes timing is everything. Before Cory's family moved to Georgia, they lived right here in Franklin — in Fieldstone Farms to be specific. Sarah and Cory don't remember knowing each other, but the Lynch family has a photograph of Sarah's little brother, Michael, and Cory's brother, Tyler, in a baseball team picture with Cory's dad as a coach. There's also a photograph of Sarah's youngest brother, Austin, and Cory's little sister, Emily, in a class picture from Berry's Chapel Preschool. The families were running in the same circles but don't remember ever meeting.

The couple plans to tie the knot in October 2010, after they each graduate. Personally, I think a wedding-themed July 4th parade is in order. Best wishes, Sarah and Cory, may your wedding day reflect your unique personalities as befittingly as your engagement day!

By the way, the proposal was captured on video. Click here to view it.

Happy ForTieth!

2009-08-11T17:28:00.014-05:00

There's nothing like a birthday party to get the creative juices flowing. I blame my sporadic blog postings over the past few months on the surprise party I planned for my husband's 40th birthday.

For me, the best way to plan a party is to start with a theme. I chose a "t-shirt" theme for Jerry's 40th because he is quite fond of t-shirts and has a reputation for wearing quirky t's until they fall apart.

Furthermore, I wanted a way to include friends and family from every stage of Jerry's life in the celebration. I knew most long distance friends would be unable to attend the event. The t-shirt theme gave them a way to be represented at the party.

I mailed an invitation to friends and family asking them to submit a t-shirt that either reminded them of Jerry, somehow represented their relationship to Jerry, or expressed themselves in some way. Participants filled out a tag explaining their t-shirt choice. I attached the tags to the shirt and hung them as decorations at the party. Attendees enjoyed seeing the different shirts and discovering how the shirt giver was connected to Jerry.

I'm so thrilled the project sparked their imagination and creativity.

The shirts above and below were hand painted by Jerry's talented aunt, Donna Daly. The blue shirt lists other famous 1969 births. The green shirt denotes an historic event on the date of my hubby's birth.

The tag on the following shirt read, "Jerry, when I think of you, I cannot help but think of sports. Here is the only picture ever taken of you while you were batting at Wrigley Field. --D" Indeed the batter's name is Fox. How clever!

I wish I'd taken more photos at the party. I was a wee bit busy. The tiny T's on these furry friends display Jerry's age with pride. T-shirts were hung by the fireplace with care in hopes that the birthday boy soon would be there.

I used some t-shirts as table decor, like this one Jerry's parents made with sweet sentiments and custom images of Jerry's childhood.

Cardboard cupcake stands were transformed into t-shirt clotheslines with some ribbon, hot glue, t-shirt cutouts and itty bitty clothespins. (I waited too late to take the picture, so this photo consolidated cupcakes from both stands onto one. By this point, some of the clothespins are awry, but you get the point.)

Splendid is the flower ...

2009-07-20T11:19:00.006-05:00

This flower is significant for several reasons. First, my sweet husband planted it for me along with two other Gerbera daisies. Secondly, he specifically chose Gerberas because he knows they remind me of my dear friend Jessica. Thirdly, the stem vase was a gift from another dear friend, Shacina.

I wrote, "Splendid is the flower grown in your own garden" because there really is something special about things you've created (or had a hand in creating).

Word of Promise Next Generation New Testament MP3 Set International Children's Bible - Audio Version

2009-03-18T08:16:00.003-05:00

Now that my fourteen year old nephew has befriended me on Facebook, I see more than ever the incredible differences between my generation and his – the “wired generation”. To be honest, I’m thankful I’m not a teenager in this age. When I was enduring my awkward years, only those in my immediate circle could witness those inevitable embarrassments and missteps.

Today’s tweens and teens are often subjected to instant, world-wide-web-reaching documentation of their embarrassing moments and hurtful comments. Unflattering photos or videos and even hurtful cyber-bullying can stick around forever. Gossip in my generation just reached to the playground and back – not the entire world.

On the bright side, though, today’s teens have access to so much more information. Today’s youth ingest media at a faster rate than any previous generation. And thankfully, Christian media is meeting the demand. Now the entire New Testament is ready for the Wired Generation. The Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament is a great way for young multi-taskers to absorb Scripture. This ambitious recording makes the Word accessible to more kids than ever before.

The Word of Promise features a Hollywood-level cast of young talent including Cody Linley (Hanna Montana, Dancing with the Stars) as Jesus, AnnaSophia Robb (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Mary Magdalene, Jordin Sparks (American Idol Winner) as Elizabeth, Cobin Bleu (High School Musical) as Peter, Alyson Stoner (Cheaper by the Dozen) as Martha, and narrated by Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings).

This ‘ain’t’ your mother’s audio Bible, that’s for sure.

The Word of Promise: Next Generation is much more than just a word-for-word reading of the New Testament: it’s an audio drama with a rich original score and Hollywood special effects. When Jesus walks on the water, listeners will feel like they’re in the boat. When Peter waits in the courtyard during the Lord’s trial, the fire crackles. The ambient sounds of the Holy land, the breath-taking musical score, the world-class young actors and the timeless Word of Promise all combine to meet the media expectations of this generation.

The set includes 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a bonus 75 minute Behind-the-Scenes DVD featuring interviews with the actors. It’s a great way to engage today’s youth in the Bible!

A Nine Month Project ...

2008-12-23T17:55:00.003-06:00

As my three year old son, Brayden, awaited the arrival of our new baby he'd often ask why his Baby Brother wasn't here yet. I'd say (and he'd repeat to others), "God is still making him in mommy's belly." And, indeed, only God could create something so sweet and so perfect. We're so blessed to welcome ...

Emerson Bryant Fox

December 18, 2008

7 pounds 12 ounces

20 3/4 inches

Visit his blog http://www.emersonbryant.blogspot.com for photographs.

Book Review: Reflections of God's Holy Land

2008-11-27T12:21:00.004-06:00

Reflections of God's Holy Land:
A Personal Journey Through Israel by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh

One year the congregation of the church my father pastored gave my parents the trip of a lifetime – a trip to the Holy Land. That was over twenty-five years ago and yet to this day, he still references the sites he saw during that experience in sermons and conversations. It truly made the Bible come “alive” for my parents.
When I saw the beautiful coffee table book Reflections of God’s Holy Land: A Personal Journey Through Israel by Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Feinberg Vamosh, I eagerly thumbed through its pages. Could this be what I’d been looking for? A book to remind my parents of the life-changing places they visited those many years ago? Could this book help refresh their memories of that special experience?

The book doesn’t disappoint. The stunning photography captures the sacredness of the terrain and the text is both educational and compelling.

The Christian faith of author Eva Marie Everson and Jewish faith of Miriam Feinberg Vamosh enhance their comprehensive sharing of their experiences of this hallowed ground. Eva, a writer, eloquently shares personal reflections of her journey and Miriam, a tour educator and resident of Israel, shares her detailed knowledge of Israel’s history and archaeology.

Until my parents can one day return to Israel, I hope this book will stir their hearts and their personal reflections of that sacred journey.

Creative du Jour: Catherine Matthews-Scanlon

2008-11-03T15:13:00.023-06:00

I discovered Catherine Matthews-Scanlon, author of Sewing on Paper and Art From the Heart, in the Nov/Dec issue of Somerset Studio magazine. Given my new found interest in mixed media art and her overwhelming talent with it, I just had to contact her.

In today's interview Catherine graciously shares about her creative journey and offers wonderful tips for the beginning mixed media artist.

Catherine blogs at http://cmscanlon.blogspot.com/scanlon.blogspot.com/ and sells her wares at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=56189. It's a must see.

How do you envision creativity?

Creativity is as much a part of who I am as walking or talking. It’s something that has always come naturally to me – whether it’s creating in my studio, in the kitchen, problem solving or decorating my home.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

Lucky! I can’t imagine not being creative. I think my life would be really empty if I didn’t have the ability to create pretty things. But then, that’s the gift I was given. If I weren’t creative then maybe I’d be athletic or have another ability that I don’t currently have. Like math – I could’ve been gifted in math, but I’m glad I’m not! J Whereas Math bores me personally, I’m delighted that my 4th grade son is great at it AND he’s creative.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I’ve always been artistic, even as a little girl I remember giving my Mother a drawing and telling her that I wanted to grow up to be an artist. I’m lucky that she encouraged that creativity by teaching me to sew and sharing her love of cooking and crafts with me. Every year for Christmas I got some type of craft item – a paint by number kit or what have you. As I got older and into high school the art department was my savior – I did poorly in math and science but excelled in art. I thank the teachers in the Art Department for encouraging me to work harder, dig deeper and explore new mediums to express myself. In college I studied as a Graphic Designer and loved to bring my creative flair to advertisements and brochures. After college I studied watercolor painting and did really well with it. I still have a longing sometimes to pick watercolor up again and do some painting.

When my son was born I needed an outlet that wasn’t messy and that I could pick up and put down at a moments notice. That’s when I discovered scrapbooking and paper crafts. That really was the beginning of my professional artistic journey because I started designing for a manufacturer and published two books.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

I love to sit in front of the television at night and make collages – and then stitch them on my sewing machine the next day. I’m all about instant gratification when it comes to making art – I don’t want to wait too long for paint or glue to dry, I’m to impatient for that!

What inspires you?

Getting on my treadmill and running. It gets all the bad energy out of my body. It clears my head and helps to keep the creative juices flowing. I also like to go shopping on the Internet for new products. I don’t always buy anything but seeing the new products gives me ideas of ways to use them.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

I’d like to write another book or two or three….but just staying busy creating makes me happy too. I don’t think too far in advance, I’m too busy in the here and now creating things!

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

This may sound silly, but I’ve always wanted to go on the Martha Stewart show and share one of my projects, though I’m sure I’d be so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to talk!

What advice can you give someone (like me) looking to venture into mixed media arts? (i.e., where in the world do we begin?)

I think the biggest piece of advice I could give – and find myself giving often – is not to give up. Rome wasn’t made in a day. You didn’t learn to walk the first time you tried. Just keep on trying and eventually you’ll love the art that you create. Just get the glue and the paper out and start cutting and pasting and eventually it’ll all come together in a way that you love!

Mixed media seems to require a lot of “stuff” how in the world do you organize your stuff?

I’m not really that organized…but I’m learning to be. I try to keep all like items together so that when I’m pawing around with wet glue on my fingers trying to find something all the “like” items are together for me to choose the best one for what I am working on. I was lucky that my Father made a great wall unit for me to organize my books, embellishment drawers and supplies on.

Catherine's father created this wonderful wall unit for her art space .... She says the key to organization is putting like items together. Notice the collection of vintage books!

Watercolor by Catherine Matthews-Scanlon entitled, "Looking up to Old Glory"

Creative du Jour: Jacki Jameson

2008-10-23T10:49:00.014-05:00

Two mixed media artists in Somerset Studio’s 2008 issue of Somerset Holidays & Celebrations inspired me so much that I decided to contact them and request an interview for Creative Day Café. They agreed!

In cover artist Jacki Jameson’s Somerset interview, she said: “I LOVE chocolate! I often create art with a chocolate theme and if I'm ever in a creative rut, chocolate is always the cure. I can't help but feel artistic with all those chocolate-induced endorphins floating happily around in my head.”

We had an immediate connection!

Jacki is a single mom from Portland, Michigan. She works/commutes 55 hours a week and still manages to find time to produce amazing art. She also teaches classes and instructs others on mixed media art. That’s impressive.

In today’s interview Jacki graciously shares about her creative journey, offers some fabulous tips on mixed media art, and gives helpful hints on organizing your art “stuff”.

Click here to visit her etsy site where you can view and purchase her art.
How do you envision creativity? How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

For me, creativity is most often a thought or emotion that I feel the need to convey in a piece of art. Often, these thoughts are humorous, sometimes sassy, and quite often very emotional and deeply rooted. I am quite an easy going person, although I am also emotional, sensitive, and sentimental. Expressing all those feelings in my art helps me on a very personal level.
Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I have always been involved in art in some way. Even as a small child I loved to create. I colored on walls way beyond the age of being appropriate, and loved to enter art contests in elementary school. Over the years I have worked with wood, ceramics, every type of paint, jewelry, and now have begun a love affair with mixed media.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Art is definitely my favorite creative outlet, but I also enjoy the endless tasks of creating beautiful gardens, and decorating my 1870's Victorian. Creativity takes on so many forms whether it is planning the perfect placement of a perennial or where to hang that fabulous vintage picture frame.

What inspires you?

I use a lot of photographs from my personal collection of relatives along with ones purchased in antique shops. I am most often inspired simply by the photograph of the person I am using in my art. Some pictures just cry out "tell my story". As I am creating a piece, I always wonder what the person in the picture would think of the new life I am giving them. Hopefully, they will see the humor in suddenly becoming Christmas elves, Halloween witches, or chocolate fairies. They seem to give me guidance as I am working.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future? Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

In the future, I would love to be published again, continue teaching classes, and will someday travel around attending the classes of some of the wonderful mixed media artists I admire. I dream of being asked to be a regular guest artist for Somerset Studio, or to be a part of an edgy new book.

You advise others to be confident in their art. You've said, “When you create, do it with confidence. If you feel good about the piece you are working on, it will be reflected in the end result and people will enjoy looking at it.” How can a new artist or an insecure artist foster confidence in their work?

To create art with confidence will come with time and practice. Not everyone is going to love every piece that you make, but if you love it, you have succeeded. Always try to instill positive energy into your work. While you are picking out your paper, photos, and embellishments, let yourself get caught up in the process and allow yourself to be emotional. I never give too much thought to what the end result will be. For me it works better just to let something evolve. Some people may even see your art in a very different way then you had intended. Putting so much of yourself into it is surely going to get a heartfelt reaction.

If you are just getting your feet wet in mixed media I would start out with a small canvas such as Artist Trading Cards, Christmas ornaments, or a small collage on mat board. Your first few creations may be for your eyes only, but with every attempt you will learn more and your own style will evolve.
How do you organize your supplies and “stuff”?

Along with the endless possibilities in creating mixed media art comes the endless stash of supplies. I am fortunate enough to have a charming little studio in my home devoted to my art. Naturally, I am always bringing home more and more treasures that I have to find a place for. I have vintage picnic baskets full of ribbon and trim, an old ladder where I hang my lace, a dresser full of fabric, and lots of those sterilite drawer caddys on wheels. For all those tiny embellishments, beads, and jingle bells, I have a couple of those things men buy to organize their nails and screws. They have 60 tiny little drawers in each and I currently have both of mine full. I keep all my soldering tools and supplies in an ugly old tackle box which I hide underneath my desk. In the drawers on the right side of my desk I keep all those tools which I use most frequently. Scissors, ink pads, chalk, glue, all items which I am constantly reaching for.

Thank you so much for sharing your art and story with us, Jacki!

Chocolate Covered Friendship

2008-09-14T21:16:00.005-05:00

I'm excited to announce the upcoming release of "Chocolate Covered Friendship" written by Artisan Chocolatier Bethany Thouin and me! It's available on Amazon.com.

Chocolate Covered Friendship is a beautiful book filled with stories about friendship and chocolate! It also features recipes, chocolate quotes, friendship quotes, facts about chocolate and gorgeous original photography of Bethany's signature truffles. Check it out!
Bethany and I recently attended our first book signing at an event in Nashville for bookstore owners from around the nation. Bethany brought boxes of truffles for the participants. The chocolate and the book were a huge hit!

Creative du Jour: Jim Robinson

2008-08-12T10:36:00.012-05:00

The Menu:

Today's Creative du Jour: Jim Robinson

I "met" Jim Robinson via email, even though he practically lives in my backyard here in Franklin, TN. I featured his story in a column I write for our local newspaper and immediately realized that he's a perfect fit for my Creative du Jour here at the Creative Day Café.

Jim and I have a lot in common. We both have degrees in mental health counseling (the difference being that he is using his professionally). We are both writers. And we both see immense spirituality behind creativity.

Jim's first book, The Flower of Grass, is currently available at Amazon.com and in bookstores.

Your professional journey is quite varied and interesting. Can you briefly tell me about your journey to becoming a professional counselor, author and founder of a non-profit ministry?

Well, it’s an interesting journey indeed, and difficult to tell briefly! But I grew up in a wonderful small town in Tennessee called Camden. I dreamed of being a writer and rock star, not necessarily in that order. My mother suffered from mood disorders and addiction, and when I graduated high school I tried running from everything—from my family, from myself more than anything—and ended up with a rock band out in Los Angeles. Things got rather rough, I lost nearly everything, but I somewhat miraculously sobered up almost twenty years ago. After that I was a staff songwriter on Music Row for nine years, then began writing and recording my songs the way I really wanted them to be (my memoir, Prodigal Song, is available at prodigalsong.com, as are my music CDs). I also went back to school and became a licensed addictions counselor, so that my own life experiences might help others. The Flower of Grass is my first novel…but the truth is, I’ve dreamed of writing fiction ever since I was a little boy.

What is Prodigal Song?

This ministry really is the culmination of all the gifts God has given me…finally coming together to make perfect sense. These days I use music, teaching, counseling, and writing to convey a message of hope and healing in churches, treatment centers, and correctional facilities throughout the country.

As a licensed addiction counselor, what type of therapy do you practice?

In addition to individual and group addiction counseling, I specialize in co-dependency issues and a lot of what I call “Family Systems” work. There’s no such thing as one addict in a family; the disease affects the entire family in some really destructive ways. Marriages are decimated, relationships destroyed. I work with all sorts of people to help them find hope in what often seems a hopeless situation. I know how powerful this deception can be, because I’ve been lost in it myself.

How do you envision creativity?

My own personal belief is that creativity is a very spiritual thing. All art is prayer. Everything we create as humans emanates from God, the great Creator. Those of us who create art are involved in a most holy journey…whether we realize it at the time or not.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I’m blessed. At most, I see myself as someone with certain gifts for story-telling, but I take those gifts seriously. When I’m creating, I sort of lose myself, and go into a kind of timeless zone, for lack of a better description. Hours vanish. When anything really special happens creatively, I’m somehow being used as a sort of conduit beyond my understanding. I think all artists should be in awe of this amazing gift they’ve been given, and become good stewards of such a valuable thing.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey? (I realize the professional and creative journeys are intertwined.)

You know, it’s funny; I had to go through a lot of growth in my life before I could appreciate my gifts. For many years I was very selfish, reckless, and creatively narcissistic; I mistook the gifts as my own. These days, I’ve come to see the inherent holiness in art, and I do my best to honor the gift. I do find it interesting that writing fiction—the one thing I dreamed of doing from my earliest memories—didn’t really begin happening until I passed fifty-years-old! And yet, everything has a way of making sense, if I’ll just get out of the way and let life happen as it’s designed.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Reading; I’m a literature freak; I consider great literature the most rich and substantive of all art. I love all sorts of books, from classics to modern. I also love movies, fishing (I have little time for this these days...), songwriting, of course. In a way, counseling is a very creative outlet for me, too, because I find each human mind a fascinating place to visit.

What inspires you?

I like being surrounded by creativity…museums, concerts, writers…anything that fuels my imagination. My wife and children inspire me, because they teach me on a daily basis what real life feels like. And foremost, I try to stay connected as best I can to God, to my Creator, the ultimate source of all creativity.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

All of my life, I’ve been drawn to self-reinvention. I become somewhat obsessed about a creative project, then compulsively work on it. Once it’s done, if I feel I’ve done the best I can on that work, I then look to a new challenge. I enjoy accomplishing things that might seem daunting, if not impossible. I hope that wherever God leads me along this creative journey, I am always changing, growing, evolving, never resting for too long on previous accomplishments. Like most addicts, I’d rather be dead than bored.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

I’m already at work on my next novel. I’d love to see one of my works made into a movie some day. My wife Teresa and I would like to continue helping as many lost and lonely people as possible through our counseling ministry. I dream of long and fruitful life for my children. I pray for a deeper acceptance of God’s grace.

What inspired you to write The Flower of Grass?

My father-in-law, Z. Bryan Haislip, is a brilliant poet. Just a couple of years ago, when my family and I were visiting him in his home in North Carolina, he read me a short piece he’d written about his daughter (my wife!) when she was only seven-years-old. Bang…the whole essence for the story of The Flower of Grass hit me like a bomb. The imagery of his poem struck a nerve deep in the heart of my own life story, and I “saw” pretty much the entire thing—Love, life, the quick passing of time…family, faith, the essential yet complex beauty woven into human relationships…the sadly beautiful state of being both flesh and spirit, all framed in a very simple love story that is really much more than a love story. I wanted to write a book that harkened back to the somewhat florid fiction of the twenties, thirties, southern writers who weren’t afraid to use the beauty of language to describe nature and life and relationships. It’s a very old-fashioned book, I suppose. I was somewhat amazed someone wanted to publish it! I’m very grateful to Tony Collins and everyone at Lion Hudson of the UK and Kregel in the U.S. for championing the book. (http://www.jameserobinson.com/)

Thank you so much, Jim, for sharing your creative journey with us. It is such a testimony to the power of God's redemption.

Cindy Billingsley

2008-04-23T21:32:00.007-05:00

The Menu:

Today's Creative du Jour: Cindy Billingsley

Artist Cindy Billingsley splits her time between her studio in Cookeville, Tennessee and my neighborhood! I think I should reroute my walking path so that I'll pass by her house and thereby absorb her creative aura!

Are you an artist by trade? Or do you have a “day” job too?

I am an artist by trade but also have a part-time art job traveling and painting horse jumps for competitive horse shows across the country. This helps to support my art. I tend to have a wide range of art interests. I paint portraits, murals, and wildlife paintings, plus sculpt. Over the past five years, I’ve mainly focused on my sculpting career.
What type of art do you enjoy?

I enjoy both Sculpting and Painting. I most enjoy doing Wildlife.
How do you envision creativity? How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I have always been creative – since I was very young. So I do not know what it is like to not be creative. It is who I am not really what I do. I see something a certain way and I am then able to make that vision a tangible piece of art work. I am lucky to be able to do so many creative things from painting in many mediums to sculpting many subjects. I can not imagine not being able to do artwork.
Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

In order to make a living as an artist I took up a number of different art forms from painting and sculpting. Painting was my first love. I started out painting pastel portraits in high school and murals on my high school’s walls. Once I tackle something I like to go and learn something else, so I learned how to paint in oils, watercolor, pastels, and acrylics. I started doing portrait commissions and did that for a number of years (and still do from time to time). It became like a j-o-b. I was always painting commission work and never having the time to paint what I really wanted to paint. So I picked up sculpting as my creative outlet. In sculpture I could sculpt whatever interest me--different subjects from wildlife to figurative—and loved it. I have had my sculptures shown in New York and sold as far away as Germany. Sculpting gave me the outlet I was really looking for. And that is where I am today. This year I’ve returned to painting, too, to help support my income. It isn't easy making a living as an artist!

What is your favorite creative outlet?

I cannot really choose between sculpting and painting because I truly love doing both. My favorite subject is definitely wildlife.

What inspires you?

The things around me inspire me. The past few years I have dedicated a few sculptures to important issues in our society or tragic things people have to go through like Alzheimer and cancer, etc. Having survived Ovarian Cancer in 2006, I felt it was important to put a human face on the hardship of people in part of my work. It is my way of giving back for the gift of this talent. I will have a new sculpture about Darfur at the the 37th TACA Tennessee Craft Fair, May 2, 3 & 4 at Centennial Park, http://www.tennesseecrafts.org/.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

I hope to be able to show my work to a wider range of people and cities in the coming years. But mainly I will focus on just being able to support myself so that I can be creative.

Do you have any creative dreams (i.e., for your future) you could share?

I would like to have a solo show in New York and I am working towards that. And I’d like to be able to tackle some of the issues we all face within my work.

Jennie Schut

2008-04-15T14:25:00.005-05:00

The Menu:
Today's Creative du Jour: Jennie Schut

This website wouldn't exist if not for the creative generosity and guidance of Jennie Schut. Divine intervention led me to participate in Jennie's ten week workshop which, for me, was basically a creativity therapy and recovery group. Now she has developed her own curriculum on awakening your creativity called, “Waking up Grey”. Thank you so much Jennie for all you’ve done in my life. And thank you for sharing your inspiring thoughts on creativity and the creative process in this interview.

How do you envision creativity?

I believe that creativity is all-inclusive. I hear over and over again from people that don't think they have a "creative bone in their body". We are very bony people! There are creative bones among the many other types. Sometimes it's just a matter of calling it out or having it called out by those that know us best. I think it's necessary to widen our view of what creativity is. Historically, we call classical expressions of creativity like painting, drawing, sculpting "art", but there are so many variations of creativity in life - as many as there are people in the world. If nothing else, we can live artfully.

Our lives are a piece of artwork. Coming up with a meal that feeds the hungry and doing it with taste, texture and color in mind is a creative act. Most of us who prepare meals daily may not see the beauty and creativity in the mundane and ordinary. But there is beauty there. We must name it and celebrate it.

Creativity is bringing order. When I paint or draw, it is a process of bringing order for me....it brings order to my imagination, my intellect, my heart, my worldview -- the tension of polar ideas and thoughts seem to come into sharper focus. So whether it shows up in a beautiful, well ordered closet or a piece of poetry, it is a place in the world that was once chaotic and is now orderly.

I envision creativity for all people. I really long for more people to embrace that part of themselves without shame. To be able to call oneself an artist without an explanation or disclaimer is a hope I hold for others. It's a hope I hold for myself.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I have seen my view of creativity expand. As my definition expands, so does my exploration. In the past few years, I have explored and done new things. Some things have always been there. I've always loved making things with my hands -- everything from creating Christmas ornaments to sewing curtains and cushions to designing handbags to making beaded wire art. It has grown to include my exploration of drawing and painting which is a new thing. Writing is also a new thing that I've just discovered. I got C's in creative writing classes in college. I never enjoyed it or knew I had a love of words and language until very recently. I've read some really amazing literature in recent years. And I believe putting ourselves in the path of inspiration and exercising some dormant muscles helps us tap into what may lie pretty deep. The further I widen my limitations on myself and my creativity, the further it seems to expand.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

Like I said, some things have always been there. But after having four children and maintaining a life wrapped up in giving care, a lot of things that were there were pushed out to the margins in the name of caring for a large household. After my fourth child, the weight of neglecting myself became apparent to me as well as the ones I love the most. I came to understand that in order to do my job of giving care well, it was imperative that I care for myself. I decided to take a journey of exploration into my creativity. It has led to all sorts of new discoveries. I signed up for a local drawing class which uncovered a dormant ability to draw. I started drawing. I did a painting. I want to paint more…. I picked up the guitar again. I took a trip to Peru to teach art to kids there. I started to help others unlock some creative potential by forming artist groups. From that was born a curriculum that I just completed in February of this year to help others discover unmet creativity. I've been doing other writing as well. I've been doing some speaking.

One of my favorite things that has come of this journey is facilitating retreats. It requires a tremendous amount of creativity to orchestrate these retreats and it also requires calling out the creativity in those who assist and facilitate the retreat days. It is great fun to see the creative gifts of others flourish and mark the retreats in such a beautiful way.

The creative discovery process is really lifelong and it continues to unfold in layers, it seems.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

That would be a toss up between drawing and doing retreats. You really don't typically think of retreats as a creative outlet, but it is for me. It is very much a creative process in so many ways. It energizes me. Also, just to sit in my studio and brood and create something on paper energizes me as well.

What inspires you?

A great song, a good piece of chocolate, a garden full of life, fragrance and color; a life changed, a really good movie, Jane Austin, being alone engrossed in my journal, the beach, a good friend and a cup of coffee, a good cigar, NYC, seeing my husband with his daughters, the kind of love that would give all it had to save what it loves.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

Where I used to ask, "why?", I find myself asking "Why not?" Right now, I'm working toward my art degree and I am working to train leaders to facilitate my curriculum in a group setting. I am currently leading groups, but want to focus on doing the retreats that follow the groups. So, my focus right now is school and coming alongside these amazing leaders and begin to focus on retreats and my artwork.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

My dreams are still shifting in shape as they transform from a liquid to a solid. Today, I see a retreat center focused on hospitality, art and helping others to reconnect with that creative part of themselves. I would like to include a studio and an art gallery in that picture somewhere. I dream of continuing on this exploration. Right now, school is a large part of that exploration as well as "Waking Up Grey" groups and retreats.

Tell us about your curriculum, Waking up Grey. How did that come about? For whom is it written?

Waking Up Grey: An Exploration of Creative Awakening is a 10 week study designed to allow the participant to reconnect or connect for the first time with the capacity that is there to create. Creativity is a spiritual issue, so we explore spiritual things. We look at our attitudes toward creativity and God's attitude towards creativity. We look at events that have occurred in life that have prevented creative freedom. We find healing and rest from those things and we frame our creativity differently. We learn that it is valued and we are valued regardless of our success or failure at creativity.

How/where is Waking up Grey available?

There are several opportunities for involvement in Waking Up Grey. To purchase the curriculum, you can contact me at flyforward@clearwire.net. It is $20. You can purchase it outright and go through it on your own; however, it is best done in the context of a group setting. To participate in an official Waking Up Grey group in your area, you can also contact me at the above address. After you become familiar with the study, and if you wish to lead others through their exploration, you can contact me for leadership training to be certified to do a grey group.

My Bai Jia Bei Quilting Experience

2008-04-11T08:48:00.004-05:00

Sweet Caroline Sholar's Bai Jia Bei, "One Hundred Good Wishes" Quilt

Here's an excerpt from my newspaper column this week:

There's a Chinese custom called bai jia bei, or good-wishes quilt. To welcome and celebrate new life, square patches of cloth contributed by friends and family are sewn together into a quilt. The quilt is said to contain the luck, energy and good wishes from all the people who contributed to it and it is passed down from generation to generation.

So, a few years ago when dear friends of ours were adopting a daughter from China, I decided to coordinate a good-wishes quilt for baby Caroline. I'd never made a quilt and I barely knew how to sew. (My husband still has to thread the needle and bobbin for me every time I break out our old Singer.) But, I figured I could collect the fabric squares then hire a professional quilter to make a quilt just in time for Caroline's arrival from China. Wrong.

I searched high and low for a quilter, but no one was interested in taking on the project. So, my dear, sweet mother and I went to work on our first quilt. It wasn't finished in time for Caroline's arrival from China, but at least she hadn't started kindergarten by the time she received it, either!

The moral of my story is if I can quilt, anyone can quilt....

You can read the entire article here.

2008-03-16T14:30:00.004-05:00

Thousands of items all purchased on QVC and HSN by one lady. Over 1000 2x
clothing items still in the plastic. Over 200 pair of size 9 shoes still in the box and never worn. Hundreds of gift item such as porcelains, dolls, lamps, candles, kitchen items, exercise equipment, linens and more never taken out of the box....

This excerpt from an estate sale advertisement I read the other day made me sad. I suppose there’s a bit of sadness in every estate sale. After all, it generally means the person has passed away. The collectibles are not desired by family members. The clothes and accessories are no longer needed.

But, this particular one touched my heart. I couldn’t help but envision an obese elderly woman whose comfort in life came from frequent phone calls to home shopping channel clerks and daily visits from the UPS delivery truck.

I wonder what the delivery guy thought of her. After all, his visits were the highlight of her day – often the only visitor she had. Yet, for him, it was just a daily stop on his route. So, she kept ordering. He kept coming. Until one day all the deliveries stopped.

2008-03-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

--- Mother Teresa

Art by David Arms

2008-02-13T09:08:00.002-06:00

Art by David Arms. Quote by Joseph Campbell.

Creative Cooking

2008-01-23T15:16:00.000-06:00

Creative Cooking

Well, if CreativeDayCafe were an actual cafe, I'd have to hire my sweet friend Sarah LaFon as the chef. She's a finalist in the Pillsbury Million Dollar Bake-Off and will be competing against 99 other finalist in April for the big prize. You can watch her prepare her million dollar recipe here.

CLICK HERE to vote for Sarah's recipe at BakeOff.com.

Sarah is also an extremely talented musician. Check out her website for proof!

2008-01-22T10:16:00.000-06:00

Check out my latest Review Appeal column.

My New Column

2008-01-14T08:47:00.000-06:00

Check out my newspaper column at http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008801090367.

He Inspires Me

2007-12-04T16:15:00.000-06:00

In a recent post I featured a painting by David Arms commissioned by my church. Well, this wonderful artist has launched a website that is worthy of your "favorites" list. He also blogs about his works and the creative process. Be inspired!

From his website:

Putting into words what I want my
art to accomplish is a difficult task. There are many purposes for my work.
Initially, the visual aspect of my work is what attracts the viewer. I do not
underestimate the 'visual,' for it alone can soothe, comfort, uplift and even
entertain. But beyond the visual lies what I believe is the extremely important
role of the piece itself - to
inspire, to challenge, to provoke thought and
to bring honor to the art's ultimate creator....

The statements of my work are not to
tear down and dwell on adversities, but to think, and encourage thought, on what
is good, noble and true. --- David Arms

Karla Dornacher

2007-10-22T18:07:00.000-05:00

The Menu:

Today's Creative du Jour: Karla Dornacher

In 2000, as the publicist for the gift book division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, I had the wonderful privilege of working with author and artist Karla Dornacher . I was certainly in awe of her talent, but I was even more enamored with the sweet spirit behind the canvas.

Karla has written and illustrated fifteen books, and believe it or not, she never even aspired to be a writer. She'll tell you more about that in a minute, but you can also check out her complete bio on her website.

Thank you so much, Karla, for showing us your kind heart through this interview and for sharing samples of your wonderful art with us, too.

How do you envision creativity?

I see creativity as an expression of one's own unique combination of personality, gifts, skills, abilities and passions and I believe we are all creative in some way or another. So often, we tend to think of creativity in the sense of the arts... painting or music or drama... but I believe God has deposited a measure of creativity in each of us. We were created in His image and He is the Master Creator so, in His likeness, creativity dwells in every heart just waiting and wanting to find a way out... a way to express itself.

Sadly though, sometimes we just don't recognize or honor the creativity we've been given as a gift. The woman who loves to cook and can bake a cake without looking at a recipe or who can put together a meal from whatever bits and pieces she finds in the cupboards... those women are expressing their creativity in the kitchen! I have friends who express their creativity in the classroom helping children live and learn in today's culture. Other women I know express their creativity through hospitality, crafts, scrapbooking, gardening, journaling, and the list goes on and on.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I believe my creativity is a gift from God and an expression of everything I am today... my personality, what I believe and am passionate about, where I've been and the impact those past experiences have had on me, as well as the talents, skills and abilities that are part of who I am... either naturally or acquired along the journey of my life.

Also, I know that my art ability is a gift because I did nothing to earn it or deserve it... the ability to draw just came very naturally and easily. I came to know Jesus in 1980 and it was then that I realized where this gift had come from and began praying and asking Him to allow me to use this gift in some way to glorify Him.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I was a shy, quiet girl growing up and spent a lot of time in my room reading, drawing and dreaming... which somewhat does account for who I am today! I did love to draw and was good at it naturally. During my growing up years I drew mostly people... teachers, classmates, imaginary... but my art class experiences left much to be desired and I got next to no encouragement or affirmation from my parents so it's a miracle I didn't give up on art altogether! In those days, at least in my house, girls were supposed to grow up to be wives and moms... not artists.

So, even though I wanted to be an artist when I grew up, I put all my art supplies and artist dreams away when I got married. But, I didn't put away my creativity... I just channeled it into being a wife, mom and keeper of my home -- decorating, gardening, sewing, crafting and those kinds of things.

In fact, the very first painting I ever did was only 15 years ago as a wedding gift for my daughter Michelle. Before then, every time I tried to paint, the colors all turned to mud. Then, when I began experimenting with pen and ink and watercolor, it was like being a little girl again. I knew this new direction was God's gift and I began asking Him how I could use this style of painting for Him. Long story short... within six months I had created six watercolor paintings that were both based on and included scripture text.

I started my own home business by selling my framed prints, magnets and plaques through a home party format. I loved going in to women's homes and sharing the Word of God in such a wonderful, non-threatening environment. After about three years, I started selling my line into retail stores and at large craft and gift shows. It was at one of these shows - the NW Christian Expo in Portland, Oregon - that I met a delightful woman named Marsha Countryman. As we chatted, she told me she had bought some of my magnets in a Christian bookstore in Flower Mound, TX and she felt like she knew me before we even met. Later that day, she introduced me to her husband Jack, who turned out to be the J. of J. Countryman Publishing, which at that time was the gift book division of Thomas Nelson and the largest gift book publishers in the world! It was truly a God ordained meeting!

Three weeks later they flew me to Nashville where we signed the contract for my first three books, which opened the door to licensing my art to a number of manufacturing companies. I have now written and illustrated fifteen books and have had everything from bookmarks and magnets to fabric and stoneware created from my art. It has certainly been a fascinating journey to say the least!

What is your favorite creative outlet?

I go through seasons so it depends on the moment! Out of all my favorites... which includes painting, designing, writing, speaking, decorating my home, landscaping our property and dabbling in crafts... I suppose it would be writing because I want everything I do to have a message but, at the same time, art is always part of what I'm doing as well because it is such an integral part of who I am.

What inspires you?

Above all, God's Word inspires me the most. I love being able to read the scriptures and visualize images that relate to the stories and bring them to life and then be able to share those images in a way that helps others see them as well. But God's Word not only inspires me in the creativity of my art but in the creativity of how I live my life. I want to live a life that encourages and inspires others to want to know God... to love Him and trust and experience all that He has for them. Beyond God's Word, I also believe inspiration is everywhere around us if we only look and listen well. I can be inspired by the beauty of nature, the love and laughter of family and friends, other creative people, a story well-told, a good meal, a movie or my cat Abby.

Inspiration is endless if we're open to it.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

To be honest, my style of art is changing and I am changing. I feel like I've been in transition for a little over a year... not knowing where I'm going but trusting the One who does. I know there are still women out there who love my present style and I'm still hoping to do some new things with it, including digital papercrafting and scrapbooking downloads, but there are less opportunities in the marketplace for me now than there once was. I've been dabbling in some new art styles and having fun but not ready to "go public" just yet. If this new style will ever become marketable or not, I don't know.

I have however, seen more doors open for me in writing and speaking then ever before so that's exciting. I just finished a new retreat series on "Redeeming the Time" and am already blessed by what God has done in women's lives through these messages. So whatever avenue I have to express my creativity and God's Word is okay with me.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

Oh my... I am a non-stop dreamer-schemer so my list is long! But one I've just started working on is a book full of creative ideas to inspire and encourage women to come together... whether in groups of two or twenty... to celebrate life in fun and meaningful ways.

And one final question, I remember you describing the difference between your style of art and your daughter’s more whimsical style. You spoke of an art teacher that encouraged you to let Michelle break the crayons to experiment with different widths and basically, “color outside the lines”. Do you remember this story? Can you share it with us?

I love that story... I was taking an art class at a community college and a guest teacher, I believe from the developmental education deptartment, shared with our class about how the best thing you can do for your children is to go home and throw away all the color books and instead, give them large format newsprint tablets. She also suggested we take all the color crayons out of the box, strip off the wrappers and break them into different size pieces... encouraging the child not to use the point of the crayon but the sides. And in place of regular brushes, give them branches with the ends smashed into fibers and any other nonconventional tool we could think of... giving them the freedom to color and create outside the lines and outside the box. I did what the teacher suggested and am thrilled to say that my daughter Michelle is a very creative and extremely successful artist. I do attribute much of her success to God's gift of this simple bit of wisdom.

Art: A Sunday Sermon

2007-10-14T17:40:00.000-05:00

Painting: God’s Story
Artist: David Arms
Interpreted by: Rev. Scotty Smith, Christ Community Church; Franklin, TN

"Four years ago, David Arms and I met to collaborate over coffee. .... I ached for someone to capture on canvas the Story from which all stories come… God’s Story, as it progressively unfolds in the Bible, history and in broken hearts.

... Overwhelmed by beauty, I rejoice in David's capacity to capture the glory of the most wonder-full story in the world....

God’s Story comes to us as a redemptive drama in four parts.

Creation—when everything was as God meant it to be.
Fall—the tragic intrusion of sin and death, resulting in the pervasive brokenness of all people and everything God has made.
Redemption—God’s astonishing promise to redeem his fallen image-bearers and creation through the grace-full work of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Consummation—the magnificent fulfillment of God’s plan to gather and cherish a people forever, and to live with them in a more-than-restored world, called “the new heaven and new earth.”

Each panel of [this] painting presents one of the four interrelated parts of God’s Story, and each is replete with well chosen symbols. ...

This is God’s Story. Even as Jesus is the main character in God’s Story, each of us is freely invited to find our place in this grand narrative of hope. What a privilege, what an honor, what a calling… to live as a character in and a carrier of God’s Story."

Click here to read Scotty Smith's interpretation of this beautiful piece.

Inspirations from A.A. Milne

2007-10-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

Little Inspirations From A. A. Milne (1882 -1956), the Creator of Winnie the Pooh, that 'Tubby little cubby all stuffed with fluff':

"Poetry and Hums aren't things which you get, they're things which get you. And all you can do is go where they can find you." Source: Winnie-the-Pooh, Pooh's Little Instruction Book

"Did you make that song up?""Well, I sort of made it up, " said Pooh, "It isn't Brain...but it comes to me sometimes.""Ah," said Rabbit, who never let things come to him, but always went & fetched them. Source: The House at Pooh Corner

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries." -- A. A. Milne

God’s Grandeur by Gerard Manley Hopkins

2007-09-12T08:38:00.000-05:00

God’s Grandeur - Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89)

THE WORLD is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Today's Creative du Jour: Cheryl Jones Evans

2007-08-28T15:37:00.000-05:00

The Menu
Creative du Jour: Cheryl Jones Evans

Cheryl Jones Evans creates her beautiful art through layered paper pastel drawings. “My work is a process of drawing in layers,” she explains. “The first layer is roughly drawn using just large blocks of color on 100% cotton rag paper.” She then soaks architectural vellum, a translucent stiff paper originally used to produce blue prints, in a rice or wheat starch. The wet vellum is then laid on top of the image, which often causes the image to blur or run. As it dries, the wet cotton papers shrink, which creates unique cracks and wrinkles in the image. “After it has dried I go back in with pastel pencil and begin bringing in detail. Often, it is the texture created by the layers that determine how the detail will develop.”

In addition to her award-winning masterpieces, Cheryl is committed to helping others explore and unlock the depths of their creative passions and abilities by facilitating “Artist’s Way Workshops” in the Central Florida area.

Based on Julia Cameron’s must-read book, “The Artist’s Way”, each thirteen-week seminar explores a variety of unique artistic exercises to help individuals intensify, expand and clarify their creative talents in a supportive group environment. Cheryl also leads a monthly gathering for creative individuals to share their stories.

What better person to spotlight here at the Creative Day Café than this gifted and benevolent artist?

How do you envision creativity?

Here is the short answer, I DON’T!
In my opinion, to envision creativity immediately puts restrictions on it. Restrictions could only serve to confine all of the miraculous possibilities, which I cannot even begin to conceive at this time. Not to mention, envisioning sounds suspiciously like work!

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

Absolutely free and open to accept creative ideas without any preconceived notions about the outcome. It is an incredibly liberating way to view creativity, guaranteed to amaze and captivate anyone that experiences it!

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I was the classic Artist’s Way textbook “Shadow Artist”! I functioned (and created an income) from picture framing. I won national awards, was highly sought after and had confined my business to art galleries and other artists. Somewhere in my heart I knew I was supposed to do more, but I was afraid. In 1997 I developed a seizure disorder that prevented me from using saws and cutting glass, both extremely necessary for a picture framer. Dear friends of mine, and practicing artists, gave me a copy of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron with the inscription “May your creativity and humor continue to blossom in new and different ways. PS. Put your seatbelt on!”

I devoured the book, it was like Julia Cameron knew me and all of my fears. I applied her philosophies and teachings right away. The changes in my life, my work and mostly my creative spirit blossomed beyond my wildest imagination. And continue to do so every day! The universe works in mysterious and wonderful ways, doesn't it?

What is your favorite creative outlet?

I enjoy working with chalk pastel and have developed my own technique. I call it layered paper pastel. I start with a simple image on 100% cotton paper, then architectural vellum is soaked in wheat starch and laid on top of the drawing , the chalk blurs and runs. When it dries, the papers shrink and crack, and then I draw another layer, adding details. Works have between 3 and 5 layers of paper and image. This is the work I display at outdoor art festivals. I have fun with large abstract acrylic painting but...I love facilitating creativity workshops!

What inspires you?

Obviously, the philosophy of The Artist’s Way. For me, that means living in the now, laughing, loving, playing, drawing, traveling and inspiring others to become creatively fulfilled.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

You know, that is a great question, but I honestly have no idea. I’ve learned that creativity leads me in ways that I least expect and that I have no choice, but to follow. Right now, I love facilitating creativity workshops, creating art and traveling the Eastern US art festival circuit to sell my work. I do not see how it could get any better than this; but, I am sure it will!

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?
Yes, I dream of a time that we can all appreciate the marvelous creative power that lives in each of us. I dream of a time when we place focus on creation instead of destruction. And I dream that there will be a time when we all realize that we are all here to create a happy life.

Are there any web sites or blogs that fuel your creativity?

One of my favorites is the “Daily OM” it exposes me to so very many other points of view spiritually. All other creative web sites are always inspiring and oh, would it be tacky to mention, the Creative Day Café?

You lead “Artist’s Way” Workshops, can you explain that and how it impacts you and other artists?

I hope it impacts my fellow creatives positively, and I do get a lot wonderful feedback, but inevitably the participants are the ones that determine how it impacts the rest of their creative lives. I have been lead down this path. The facilitating seemed to be a by-product of my art. There is a part of me that knows one of the reasons I am here on this earth, is to inspire other creatives to create. The creatives I teach give me back as much inspiration (and sometimes more) than I could ever give them. Does it get any better than this?

You’ve said that "there is no higher form of communication with God than when an artist is creating!” How do you experience God and spirituality in your art?

I have, as well as most creatives, experienced this marvelous loss of time during the process of creating. We have no idea whether we have been “at it” 5 minutes or 5 hours. There is a loss of consciousness about our surroundings. During this experience the work miraculously flows through us without thought or effort. It is like our lives are suspended in time and space to allow the Creator to speak though our work. The art is the result of prayer – a prayer that does not ask anything, a prayer that simply, is the act of giving God control.
And For Dessert:
"The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both." James Michener

What Are You Waiting For?

2007-08-23T15:36:00.000-05:00

"Our worst fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be so brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are we not to be? You are a child of God: Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Send in the Artists, Mystics, and Clowns!

2007-08-09T13:27:00.000-05:00

From Brennan Mannings, Ruthless Trust:

...And what of the human heart’s capacity to understand God? Here we need the help of passionate visionaries .... Sacred scripture is too important to be left exclusively to biblical scholars. Theology is too vital to be consigned solely to the province of theologians. To explore the depths of the God who invites our trust, we need the artists and mystics. …

Send in the artists, mystics, and clowns. Their fertile imagination pours the new wine of the gospel into fresh wineskins (Luke 5:38). With fresh language, poetic vision, and striking symbols, they express God’s inexpressible Word in artistic forms that are charged with the power of God, engaging our minds and stirring our hearts as they flare and flame.

… In his commentary of Psalm 148, Augustine asks, “Does God proclaim Himself in the wonders of creation?” He then answers, “No. All things proclaim Him, all things speak. Their beauty is the voice by which they announce God, by which they sing, ‘It is you who made me beautiful, not me myself but you.’” The poets, singers, songwriters, novelists, musicians, clowns, and mystics enable the voices to creation to shout, “How beautiful is the One who made us!” – Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust

To hear a sermon by Scott Roley (Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN) entitled, A Christian World View of Culture and the Arts click HERE, scroll down to August 5, 2007. MP3 link is on the very right column. (Windows Users, right click MP3 link and "Save Target As" to download.)

To hear a wonderful presentation on this topic by Peculiar People click HERE, scroll down to August 8, 2007 and follow the same instructions referenced above.

Today's Creative du Jour: Joanne Miller

2007-07-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

The Menu
Creative du Jour: Joanne Miller

Joanne Miller's life theme is "Creating a haven of peace in a broken world." It is her goal to bring peace into her home and into the lives of everyone she meets. She can often be heard teaching or speaking on this topic and she receives high praise for the Haven of Peace she has nurtured on the nine acres she and author husband, Dan Miller keep developing.

As a writer, Joanne uses her love of family and relationships as a back drop for her stories. She has written several children's books for her grandchildren and has two more in the works. She also draws and creates her own greeting and note cards.

Joanne teaches the 48 Days to the Work You Love principles, a widely acclaimed concept created by her husband, Dan Miller, to inmates at the Tennessee Women's Prison and also conducts worship services there. She is a frequent co-host on her husband's weekly radio program by the same name. She is a long term board member of Christian Women In The Marketplace, Nashville, TN.

Joanne believes that the most important career a woman can have is to raise a dynamic, loving and peaceful family. She has been her husband's staunch supporter for forty years and is the mother of Kevin Miller, Director of Marketing and E-Commerce for 48 Days, Jared Miller, President of Sisters of Rwanda, a non-profit organization in Kigali, Rwanda, and Ashley Logsdon, Director of Customer Success and 48 Days Career Profiles 48 Days.

How do you envision creativity?

A dear friend, Harold McAlindon, wrote a book, The Little Book of Big Ideas (we offer it on our website, http://www.48days.com/), that just transformed my life. This quote especially spoke to my heart:

Creativity is a rare part of living. It’s fundamental. None of us can
squelch our creativity without feeling less than whole, incomplete and
depressed. --Lynn Weiss, PhD

Wow.... At that time in my life I needed the affirmation that having creative outlets wasn’t just a luxury for me or unproductive time, but rather, a necessity for a healthy mental outlook.

Harold has another book titled, “Everyone Is Born Creative.” I firmly believe that, and to squelch that part of one’s being is to stifle a vital part of how God created us. We have moments every day where we can use our creative minds in amazing ways to make our world better and more beautiful.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?

I have discovered that my whole personality...my whole being.... needs to express itself creatively. I do it naturally. I crave it. I want to bring it out in other people because I truly believe we all have it in us to a degree (some more than others). And we are often taught that creating is just frivolous. It won’t put food on the table. It won’t amount to much. But I know I would become very depressed and one-dimensional if I left out that element of my life. Creativity colors everything I do in some form or fashion and I want to embrace that part of me and make it work to create a more beautiful and peaceful world.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I look back on my life....all the different seasons and stages...and I see how I used my “right brain” to be an incredible problem solver. As the oldest child in a single-parent family, I learned early how to fix and repair anything around the house. I joked that I could fix anything with Scotch tape and a rubber band! When I became a mother I used my creative mind to make our homes beautiful in spite of a meager decorating budget. I am the “Queen” of garage sales and auctions and store sales. I was always hungry to learn new ways to express myself creatively. I took cooking classes, I learned to sew and I even put my husband through graduate school making garments for customers. I belonged to homemaker clubs so I could learn new ways to make things better.

Now I am in a season of my life where I can use my creative talents to stretch myself and enter areas that I would never have dreamed possible when I was young and too busy raising a family and taking care of the needs of so many other people.

About five years ago, I saw an art class offered by a local artist and I wondered if, because I like to create in so many ways, I might have some hidden talent to draw. At first it was very difficult for me. I stuck with it, however and have amazed myself with what I can do if I have the basics and some encouragement. I still struggle. Drawing doesn’t just come “naturally” to me but creativity and a love of beautiful things does....so I work hard to create beauty on paper.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Writing is my passion. It is what comes most naturally to me. I discovered this gift about 14 years ago when my second son, Jared, was going through a particularly rocky time in his early teens. One day I spent quite a bit of time talking to Jared while we ran errands and I kept having this phrase running through my head all day (I still get teary-eyed when I think of this event). It was like God was saying, “But you know his heart.” I remember so vividly rushing through the supper clean up so I could sit down and write. It seemed like I had an overwhelming compulsion to expand this thought on paper. When I sat down with paper and pencil I began to write my first story. It was about not judging people by their appearance and it was what Jared...and God....were teaching me. I remember how easily the words flowed. It was almost a supernatural experience....one of those defining moments in one’s life when you know God is doing the work and you are merely the vessel He is using. I actually felt like God was writing and He was using my hand to do it. Since that time I have written many stories – mostly about home, family and loving relationships. I am told my stories make people cry and touch their hearts in profound ways.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by beauty. Beauty is all around us if we just open our eyes to see. I use that phrase on the back of the greeting and note cards I make from my drawings. It saddens and frustrates me that people can get so caught up in their misfortunes, their busyness and their self-absorption that they fail to see a beautiful sunset, an exquisite flower, the color of the birds overhead, the smile of a child, the poetry of the written word. I could go on and on. I am a huge fan of Ken Gire’s book Windows of the Soul where he points out the beauty of God in the world around us. That book was another defining moment in my life and I read it at least once a year. I look for beauty in everything. Life is too short not to.
Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

Wow...that is a difficult question for me because I struggle with that very issue. I have people tell me all the time that I should work to get some of my stories published. I should get my note cards and greeting cards into stores. I should sell some of my drawings. I should write a book. My struggle lies in deciding if I really want to work that hard. Getting published isn’t easy. And it can be very frustrating, and a LOT of hard work. I love to write and I love to create my drawings and cards. Would I spoil that joy of creating by turning it into a business? A quest to make a name for myself and get paid for something that I do to relieve stress and create harmony and peace in my life? I truly haven’t come to grips with the answer to that question yet. But I am working on it. Right now I am posting some of my stories on my 48 Days Coach blog site. (www.48Dayscoach.com) I am fortunate in that I don’t have to rely on my skill for writing to support myself so I can continue to think of it more as a hobby and not an occupation.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

About ten years ago I started to write a book called “Creating A Haven of Peace....In a Broken World”. It was, and still is, a passion of mine. I sometimes speak to women’s groups on this topic. I feel strongly that in our world today we need to focus more on creating peace in our homes. My favorite quote of all time is by Barbara Bush who said “The future of our country lies not in what happens in the White House....but what happens in your house.” I believe that totally. Rarely does a day go by that someone doesn’t come up our lane onto our property and tell us that we have such a peaceful place......a peaceful home. I have worked hard to create that atmosphere and I love nothing more than to share with others how to do this in their own families. One day I intend to finish that book – if for no other reason than to pass it on to my own children and grandchildren.

You play a significant role in your husband’s “48 Days” ministry. In light of this experience, do you have any advice to offer creative people seeking career opportunities involving their art?

Dan works with a lot of artists, musicians, writers and creative people. Most of them are incredibly talented people and often not good candidates to just go out and get a job. They want to create. That is what they are gifted most to do. The irony of this gift is that if it is to be used to create a viable income for that person that talent has to be marketed well. And unfortunately most creative people are not gifted in marketing. They abhor having to go out and “sell” the benefits of their talent. First I would tell those people to evaluate whether or not they need to look at their creative gift as a means for a living income or should they continue to see it as an incredible gift from God that they can use to de-stress, to enjoy as a hobby and perhaps pass on to friends and family (like I am doing) or do they really want to invest the time and effort into making this gift into a business. If the goal is to make enough income to sustain the individual and his/her family, then accept the fact that they might need to hire an agent or a marketing firm or enlist the help of a friend who knows better how to market to the public. This is essential for the success of a business whether it is in the arts or any other kind of business. We live in a very marketing-focused environment. People aren’t going to knock on their door just out of the blue and ask to see their work, read their book or buy their painting. I wish it were that easy!!

Creative Day Café: Thank you so much, Joanne, for sharing your heart and for delighting us with samples of your beautiful artwork.

And For Dessert:

“ A lot of what we think of as neurosis in this country is simply people who are unhappy because they’re not using their creative resources.” ---Julia Cameron

Today's Creative du Jour is Nicole Seitz

2007-07-01T20:31:00.000-05:00

The Menu
Creative du Jour: Nicole Seitz

Nicole Seitz grew up on Hilton Head Island, a small town off the coast of South Carolina, where she was surrounded by palmetto trees, marsh grass, sandy beaches and unique Southern characters. As an author and artist, Nicole's work is deeply influenced by the mystique and charm of the Lowcountry.

She began writing fiction when she was 30-years-old and expecting her first child, Olivia. Her love for novel-writing has only intensified since then. An artist at heart, Nicole enjoys painting pictures with words and bringing her characters to life through detail and dialect. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. Nicole revels in the creative process and looks forward to a long-term career as a novelist. Today, she is working on her next book. (Excerpted from Nicole’s bio.)

How do you envision creativity?

Truly? Visually. I envision our Creator, God, with His hands outstretched and a ball of light between them, forming.

How do you see yourself in light of this picture of creativity?
Every bit of creativity I have comes from God. I’m just grateful to have it and feel the responsibility to express it.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I’ve always been the one in the family to do drawings, sketches, come up with creative, out-of-the-box solutions. I got a degree in Journalism and another in Illustration and wrote articles for newspapers a while back. Nothing too creative though. I don’t think my true passion for creating was awakened until I was pregnant with my first child. Since then, I’ve started my own web design business, begun painting and writing books. My first novel, The Spirit of Sweetgrass, came out in March 2007. My next novel, Trouble the Water, will be out in February, 2008. My paintings are actually on the covers of those books as well!

What is your favorite creative outlet?

Writing fiction—becoming someone else for a while and experiencing true empathy for others.

What inspires you?

My children and husband inspire me to be the very best that I can be!

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

By the will of God, many more books, many more paintings. Travel with my family!

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

My biggest creative dreams are for my children. I want them to know that they can achieve whatever God puts upon their hearts to do. I’m here to support them in the best way I can.

And For Dessert:

“Art, be it music, painting, literature, dance, film, sculpture, whatever, awakens in us longings. We all want to be loved and to love in return, to belong, to live with purpose, to find and experience joy and peace, to lose our self-conscious neuroses and finally see the dignity and worth of others, to discover and experience real beauty, to live forever. We are inevitably dissatisfied and disappointed, in a fallen world, as we try to do something ourselves about these desires…. Good art … points us toward the transcendent and helps to provide a connection between the image of God in us and the One in whom ultimately we have all our longings met and satisfied.” --- Buddy Greene.

Today's Creative du Jour is Amy Peterman

2007-06-13T07:57:00.000-05:00

The Menu
Creative du Jour: Amy Peterman

Amy is wife to Jason, mother to Hattie and lover of all things creative -- and when she says, "all things" she means ALL things. Amy is a graphic designer, an incredible painter, a quilter, a master scrapbooker, photographer, knitter, baker ... candlestick maker, okay, I'm not sure about the candlesticks, but you get the point.

For proof, just visit her über-cool blog.

CreativeDayCafé: When I think of creativity, Amy, I envision you. How do you envision creativity?

So cool that you envision me. I’m blushing. :-) When I think of creativity, I first envision piles of used sketchbooks and journals, paint stained hands, a bulletin board covered with pictures torn from magazines for inspiration, and brand new art supplies (paper, ribbon, fabric, markers, paints, rub-ons, yarn, etc.) just waiting to be used. These are all things that surround me in my studio and give me joy. But, then I also envision a wrapped package that is inside each of us. A package that was placed in each of us by God; one for us to discover, unwrap and use for His glory.

I LOVE this visual image. Do you believe God has given everyone this gift?

Absolutely. Each of us is creative in our own way, but I don’t think most people see themselves as creative beings. Many times when I meet someone new and they learn about all the creative things I like to do, I often hear, “I wish I were creative.” Most people think in order to be creative, you have to sing or paint or write, and what they don’t realize is that there are other types of “creative”. Cooking, storytelling, child-rearing, or looking at a problem and finding a unique way to solve it, are just a few. Creativity is in each of us; we each just possess a different version of it and sometimes have a hard time seeing it.

How do you see yourself in light of this?

I am thankful that from an early age God made it clear to me what my gifts were. I’m also thankful for the determination he placed in me and for the wonderful opportunities, he’s given me, in which to use those gifts.
I love that God made me a lover of the process of art. I do love the end product too, but the process is what I enjoy most. It just makes me happy to have a blank sheet in front of me, knowing that I don’t have to follow any rules (although I do take into consideration the design skills I acquired in college) or have anyone telling me to do it a certain way. I can just follow my instincts, guided by my mood and through that, each project becomes a unique extension of me.

Can you tell us a little bit about your creative journey?

I have had the creative bug since I was a little girl. My kindergarten report card even had a note written on it that said “excels in art”. I always wanted to draw or do crafts. I remember announcing at the dinner table one evening that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. My father wasn’t thrilled, but now he is very proud.

Each Christmas I begged for an easel and bugged my parents often for violin lessons. I did get my violin lessons in fifth grade and played all through middle school and high school. I even attended a fine arts camp for a couple summers for additional lessons. My mom taught me to sew when I was ten years old and I worked at a fabric store through high school and made all of my homecoming and prom dresses.

When I reached college, I knew for sure that I wanted to major in art. So my official major was Studio Art with an Art History minor. Having this particular major, allowed me to dabble in many different mediums, ceramics, sculpture, drawing, design, painting, print making, stained glass and photography. Coming out of college, I freelanced on-site for a food distributor and then for a small printing company. I then got an amazing job for Zondervan Publishing House as an assistant art director. I loved this job. My job was to design book and Bible covers. I was only at that company a couple years and then moved to Tennessee so my husband could pursue his dream of a career in medicine. This was a big step out of my comfort zone, but God blessed me and provided work there too. I began freelancing again, but this time it was from home and the work was wonderful. I was even able to work on projects for Zondervan, the company I was sad to leave. After a couple years there, we returned to Michigan and I continued to freelance until my daughter was born three years ago. Since then, I freelance a little bit, but I’m spending most of my time being a mommy to a spunky little munchkin. I also have been helping my mother with her yarn business (Briar Rose Fibers) and scrapbooking a lot, trying to get my pages published.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

I have to choose one? Right now, I’m really in the knitting and scrapbooking groove, but I also love sewing, painting, drawing, photography, stained glass, and graphic design.

What inspires you?

Other artists! Especially when they take a new approach to a technique or find a way to grab my attention with their work. I can also be inspired by things I see in magazines, a song on the radio, or the things that my daughter says and does.

Where do you see your creative journey taking you in the future?

As I mentioned before, I am really into scrapbooking right now. I have gotten a few things published in some magazines and have won some contests. I am also on a design team for a wonderful scrapbook product manufacturer (Fancy Pants Designs). I hope in the future to get published more and make more connections in the industry. I also would LOVE to design my own line of scrapbook product.

Do you have any creative dreams you could share?

I’d love to publish a knitting book full of wonderful patterns designed by knitters. I’d love to do the layout of the book and all the photography for it. I think it would be a ton of fun!

Thanks for sharing, Amy. Here's information on where the scrapbook designs Amy shared for this interview have been published:

“My FAV Jeans” (Published in July/Aug/Sept 2006 issue of PaperART) “Bowls” (Published in Find Your Groove by Memory Makers, June 2007)
“Dreams” and “My Bro N8” (Published in Scrapbooking: Styles Defined by Blue Media, Spring 2007)

And for Dessert:
"Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work." --Rita Mae Brown

Today’s Creative du Jour is Bethany Thouin.

2007-05-22T14:11:00.000-05:00

The Menu
Creative du Jour: Bethany Thouin

Bethany is a mother of four, a singer/songwriter, the owner of an artisan chocolate café, an author, speaker, and downright cool person. Whew! I hope you have a hearty appetite.

A song Bethany wrote called, “The Purple Song,” inspires me and it encapsulates what this blog is all about. It goes like this:

The Purple Song
By Bethany Thouin

I want a purple barn with picture windows
So I can laugh when people laugh at me
So I can say as they shake their head
I didn’t want to paint it red
I want a purple barn

I want a purple hat with rear view windows
So I can laugh when people laugh at me
So I can say I used to care
What everyone thought I should wear
I want a purple hat

I’m bad because I’m bad
No one can make me
I’m glad because I’m glad
No one can make me
I can walk on mountaintops while living on the plains
Or, I can stay and blame it all on you
I choose

I want a purple car with stained glass windows
So I can laugh when people laugh at me
It’s funny how we look the same
When looking through a colored pane
I want a purple car

I cry because I cry
No one can make me
I try because I try
No one can make me
I can fly on white wings while walking through the mud
Or, I can fall and blame it all on God
I choose

I want a purple barn with picture windows
So I can laugh when people laugh at me

Bethany inspires me.
Visit her chocolate café at http://www.thecocoatree.com
She blogs at http://cocoachronicles.blogspot.com/

Construction has officially begun on my purple barn, how about yours? Maybe your purple barn is a novel that you’re afraid to start, a canvas you’re too shy to paint or an audition you refuse to attend.

Let’s build our purple barns together! Will you join me?

You ARE creative. You were created to be creative, so stop fooling yourself into believing you don’t have what it takes. Trust me, it’s there. No matter where you are in your artful journey, I want to hold your hand, so tell me your story!

Or, INSPIRE me with your art. I want to hear from you.

And for Dessert:

"Each of us has an inner dream that we can unfold if we will just have the courage to admit what it is. " --- Julia Cameron, The Arists Way