Hindu Temples in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal

As a student of religious studies and philosophy I of course am fascinated with various religions. As I traveled throughout India I took several opportunities to explore the Hindu (and other) temples. This video shares a small portion of a couple of the Devi Goddess Temples in New Delhi. As I walk through be sure to look at all the art in the highly decorative Hindu culture.


This video consists of two separate ceremonies. The first half is a ceremony from a village near Bishnapur in West Bengal and the second is from Madhya Pradesh. For more insight into what is going on be sure to check out my YouTube page to see (and join in) the conversation with a Bengali man in response to this video. He has some great insight.

Though I have not posted them to my YouTube account, I plan to have at least one more pooja video in addition to several videos from a guided Khajuraho tour.

I will continue to share many more videos from my time in India so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube account as well as my Facebook and Art Blog to actually see how India impacted me and my art. As I share more and more of my artwork inspired by my travels in India I am sure that these videos will help you understand where this new inspiration is coming from.

A Prayer for My Art

God,

Please help me to develop my niche in art. 

Help my art to glorify you and to be honest. 

I also want to use my art to help people. 

Whether you want my studio to be in a youth venue or 

youth center or you want me to volunteer at a homeless shelter, 

please help those desires to become my desires. 

Please help me find Christian mentors in the art field 

who can support me and encourage me to develop according to you will. 

Again I pray that your will would become my desire. 

Help me to develop discipline in the studio and 

help my business to glorify you and help those in need. 

Help me to learn what you want me to learn and use the gifts you gave me 

(Thanks again!) 

to glorify you and your kingdom. 

I truly believe that you would not have given me the passions 

(working with those in need and art) 

if you didn’t want me to use them in a specific or a variety of ways. 

Please grant me the wisdom to know what your will is and what your goals for me are. 

Amen!

Metal Jesus

Tim from As I Lay Dying gets a portrait of Jesus with a metal guitar.

Starting at about 11 minutes Hannah talks about spirituality and Tim and her talk about religion. 


Link to just Tim and the tattoo. I liked Hannah's stuff too. It is always nice to hear non Christians not bashing Christians : )

What do you guys think about Christian Metal?  Do you think Jesus had any tattoos?  What stood out to you the most from the video?

Art Lesson Ideas for Haiti

Haiti Journal Entry #2

1. Nature Art – Use Andy Goldsworthy for inspiration
2. Hemp bracelets and jewelry - I know up to a 12 stand knot pattern and as simple as a braid
3. Faith Journey Bracelets using paper beads. This could be incorporated into a Bible study of some sort.  I have used it for Bible studies before as an ice breaker.  A story of Jesus bead could also be included.
4.  Friendship bracelets using colored string

Image from ScienceBuzz.o

5. Still life drawing – set up whatever is around and draw
6. Draw a picture from the imagination
7. Art Journaling – How many kids will there be? What supplies will I need to take? This could be incorporated into a Bible study of some sort.
8. Homemade Watercolor paints – Could be incredibly simple
9. Design posters – Maybe make a poster (or even a card) for you family or best friend
10. Write a poem – no rules just write what you think or feel
11. Collage – use magazine pages or dried leaves.  Maybe introduce the idea of journaling being a form of prayer.
12. Origami – Use old magazine pages
13. Pet rocks – I would need to take googly eyes

This is just my brainstorm list.  I am not sure that all of these will be culturally or age appropriate.  We will be having a meeting about the trip soon, so I can ask which ones would be plausible.  Do you guys have any more project ideas that are versatile and have a small supply list?  Or any project ideas that could be used as a part of a Bible study?  

Haiti Journal 4 Voices of Haiti

I will be leaving for Haiti in just over a week. The other girls and I will be working in an orphanage and at the school & the guys will be building a chicken coup. Though I wont be there for art, I am sure there will be plenty of inspiration. I plan to bring back some project ideas and photos. I’m not planning on doing a large scale project, but who knows.

A friend just showed me this project completed in response to the earthquake.  The photographer asked peopel to write the message they wanted the share on a piece of rubble.  This newly wed couple is standing infront of the church they were supposed to be married in. Their sign reads, "Love conquers all."

Jeremy Cowart - Voices of Haiti
  

Bible vs. Koran??

 I found this cartoon the other day when I was looking for some design inspiration.

Being an art student, I am used to this attitude and see it nearly every day.  My husband is a PhD student in Electrical Engineering and topics like this really don’t come up. 

There was a ceramics project up in our fine arts building a couple weeks ago.  The project appeared to be from Beginning Ceramics and the project had to do with using slabs of clay to build something.  One of the projects was a Bible like book that said “JESUS: Today’s Modern Fairy Tale.”  My husband was appalled (not surprised) at the idea of people mocking Christianity.  He brought up the point that you would never see something like this referencing the Koran or a Holy Book from another religion.

When I found this image while searching for inspiration, I literally laughed out loud.  I guess I commend any artist who can humorously capture the sad realities of life.

Check out my poster project that was in response to a series of Christian-Bashing posters…

Complete Window

Well here is the final window.

Click here to see more about the individual sections.

Kingdom of God

Last month my pastor asked me to create a background for a Power Point.  People responded quite well, so I am creating another one.  This sermon series will be titled the Kingdom of God and my design will be based on stained glass windows with some of the stories from Matthew 5.  The window will also consist of some typical stained glass imagery. 

This image is the logo for the whole series.  It will reappear in the last roundel as well.

This series will come from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 - 7)

I will post some of the other images in the following weeks.

Research for Possible Graphics project

After all this research, I think I will do another poster series, or some other graphics/art project, on African American history and culture.

Some possible topics could be:

1. The importance of African American hair and its history.  Why people started relaxing their hair.  Why it is seem today as good or bad.
- Black is Beautiful
- Intro to Black Hair  - Coil Review
- My Natural Hair Journey

2. Various activists
- Assata Shakur
- Marcus Garvey
- Sojouner Truth

3. African music, art and poetry.  Though I have not posted much here are some artists, I found interesting.
- Slam NUBA
- African American Reading List   (Secret Life of Bees, From Strength to Love, Black Power and Black Theology, and Bullets (from Slam NUBA))
- For Colored Girls (should be added to my reading list)

4. "Black is Beautiful," "Black Pride" or "My Black is Beautiful." One of the main issues that I found on this topic is the debate between relaxed and natural hair and what it says about an African American woman.
- My Black is Beautiful


5. African religion and spirituality
African Spirits in the Diaspora

6. White Privilege and Light-Skinned Privilege (you get some for ex. I don't get followed at wall mart but still cant see myself in a wedding magazine to see what a dress would look like on me.) This topic could also talk about how all (most) people have privilege and how to use those privileges to stand up for others.

7. I am not sure how this would be used in a project, but the importance of Black Liberation Theology.


These are just some possibilities for research that I can use in future graphics projects...

Some more Black Beauty for you

Black Art and ArtistsGorgeous art work


I love the use of the figure in many of these. I will be posting about life drawing in my other blog soon and will add a link with my artist statement.

African American Art


I’m not a huge fan of the song but the paintings are absolutely gorgeous.

Here is another Artist whose work I enjoyed - Vanessa Turner

I guess since I am black, I will post links to my work as well
Face Book Page - Be sure to like it
My Art Blog
My Website

Black superheros

Here is a chance for you to see my true nerdy-ness.  I love comics and superhero video games.  My favorite game is Justice league and my favorite comic is probably Arkham Asylum.  I would like to show you some superheros that are not as well known.

Some of my favorite back superheroes include Onyx, Green Lantern, Storm and Black Panther.  I like Onyx because she is an assassin and Elektra is also one of my favorites.  Storm is pretty famous, and Hal Jordan is the Green Lantern that I play as in Justice League.


Anyways enjoy some characters you may not be familiar with.


over 60

20 more

Vol 3

not just female


Alicia Keys - Superwoman

Slam NUBA

I attended The Good Mule Conference last weekend. One of the sessions included a workshop with the group Slam NUBA. The group was incredibly inspiring. We discussed writing from the heart and using art as a form of activism. My favorite poem was by Suzie Q and was about black beauty. I am having a hard time finding it (it is in this book but not online anywhere) but here is some of her other poetry. The first in this video was one that she performed for us.

Suzie Q
The second poem does include some swearing.

One of my favorite quotes from Suzie Q was that her “goal is not to make you hare [her] beliefs but to make you understand, to see, just for a moment.” This is so beautiful because that is what activism, and art, are all about. You want to educate people about an issue but your end goal is not always to agree but rather to both come out as better, more well rounded, and socially aware individuals.  If a piece leads to dialog, that is often more intriguing and beneficial than a conversion of ones beliefs.

In response to her second poem, I think I will be posting about God not being on sides (hmm I will either take the “God doesn’t pick a country” argument or the “what race is God topic?” Maybe I will write a post on both theories).

Bobby LeFebre and Ayinde Russell were the other two poets in the conference. I love how Bobby uses Spanish. It is so beautiful.  I remember when I asked my Spanish prfessor where a rule (I think about a stem change) came from and his response was "por que es mas bonita, es no fea como Ingles ."

Both of these guys had poems for their wives which inspiring as well.

The three of these performing artists were so full of soul and wisdom.

Bobbly LeFebre

I didn’t get to see either of these poem live.
Click here if the video doesn't play.

The passion and humor is great!

Ayindie Russell

We didn’t hear this one either…

We saw at least part of this. I don’t remember the “We rise together part” but do remember him singing “we are not alone.” Either way, I love it when people break out in song.

Click here if the video doesn't play.



I am curious to know where NUBA comes from. Does anyone know? or are you going to make me do all the work? :)

Langston Hughes

The greatest presentation I ever gave was a twenty minute analysis of the Weary Blues.  It was for my high school AP English Lit class and my dad came and played the saxophone as I recited the poem.  It was great fun.

I still love how you can imagine what it would be like to be listening to the blues player.  This whole time period had such powerful artistically and spiritually moving qualities.  It would have been an inspiring time to live in as an artist.

My watercolor based on the Harlem Renaissance

The Weary Blues
by Langston Hughes

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune,
Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon,
I heard a Negro play.
Down on Lenox Avenue the other night
By the pale dull pallor of an old gas light
He did a lazy sway . . .
He did a lazy sway . . .
To the tune o' those Weary Blues.
With his ebony hands on each ivory key
He made that poor piano moan with melody.
O Blues!
Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool
He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.
Sweet Blues!
Coming from a black man's soul.
O Blues!
In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone
I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan--
"Ain't got nobody in all this world,
Ain't got nobody but ma self.
I's gwine to quit ma frownin'
And put ma troubles on the shelf."

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.
He played a few chords then he sang some more--
"I got the Weary Blues
And I can't be satisfied.
Got the Weary Blues
And can't be satisfied--
I ain't happy no mo'
And I wish that I had died."
And far into the night he crooned that tune.
The stars went out and so did the moon.
The singer stopped playing and went to bed
While the Weary Blues echoed through his head.
He slept like a rock or a man that's dead.

The Weary Blues



I Too



A documentary from the library of congress

I Rise

Dr. Maya Angelou experienced racism throughout but it only made her stronger and added to her faith. In addition to poetry she wrote plays and books, danced, and was an actress. She also taught in Egypt and Ghana. After her return she was asked by Dr . Martin Luther King to serve and the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

After King’s assination she worked with James Baldwin on her famous book I know why the caged bird sings.

Find the rest of Maya Angelou's story on her website.

Still I Rise

Phenomenal Woman

Flowers

More art...

I am missing summer and Washington a bit.  Winter is beautiful but I miss the color and life.

Here are some photographs that I took over the summer.  I am fascinated by both large and small creations.  This set of photographs is focusing on small aspects of creation.  A couple summers ago, I went to a flower camp with my mother-in-law and we were introduced to some of the beauty that is smaller than the pinky fingernail of a small child.  It is miraculous that there is that much detail put into life forms that live above 14,000 feet.  These images are not from the camp but rather a large variety of climates in WA state, including rain forests, mountains (sub-alpine), the ocean, and a desert).

To see more of my photography see my photography blog.

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Maybe I will post some winter photos soon....

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Poll results

Well its looks like most of you want to read and learn more about art (8), music (6) and culture (5).  I think that posting more about art and music should be fairly simple.  I have already started inserting some project ideas as well as photography and bands, since art and music have been leading the poll topic for a while.  I am not quite sure what I will come up with for culture but I think I can find something…If you have any suggestions, please comment.

The runners up all with 3 votes, were conspiracy theories, race, videos, and other religions/ spirituality.  I may try to throw some of these topics in as well.

My Apartment Building

You guys said that you wanted more art, so here is some of my photography.

Here are thirteen photographs of the apartment building I live in and the surrounding area.  I called this series The Laramie Project.  My husband and I are really enjoying being downtown.  The Connor Apartments used to be The Connor Hotel, a fancy hotel and brothel.  When it was converted to apartments the architects decided to have fun with the residents.  Our apartment has circular archways and our friends have 3 bathrooms and one bedroom.  It is great fun...

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

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Christmas Star or Snowflake Ornament

A lot of you are asking for art, being an artist this is an enjoyable task...so here you go...  This ornament is simple to create, requires only a few supplies and is low cost. I created each star differently as I made up the design. This process is simple and there is a lot of room for creativity (even error).  

Supplies

Wire about 25 – 30 inches long, 24 gage if possible, 22 will work but is more difficult (you can purchase this at a hardware store).
5 long skinny beads of a similar length. I used paper beads that I spray-painted gold (I have a tutorial for making those as well).
10 seed or glass beads of your choice.
Round-tip pliers are optional.  Round-tip do work better than needle nose priers because they manipulate the wire much smoother.

Grace is A Bit Queer

The idea for this poster came from my life drawing class.  During a critique the class discussed how the model looks like Jesus.  It was interesting because the model was a friend who happened to be gay.

The text in this poster is jumbled and confusing to represent the contrast between grace and our culture.  Our culture tells us that we should get what we deserve.  If we do good in school we should get good grades, good grades will get us a good job and a good job will get us lots of money.  We earn what we get and nothing is free.

Grace, however, offers a different message.  It is free and we can not earn it.  It is different from most every aspect of our culture.

Grace is queer.

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