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Photo1 Thealreadyandnotyet Luwalhati, The Already And Not Yet Luwalhati, The Already And Not Yet (Detail) Loading Video . . . Artist Luwalhati explores the concept of signs within our life and from God in this painting responding to Isaiah 7:10-16. Isaiah 7:10-16 The Already and Not yet By Luwalhati . Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2022 45 x 55 centimeters Ink on sculptured paper mounted on antique wood Mixed Media Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link About "The Already and Not Yet" Whenever we read these verses, we immediately refer to its fulfillment in Jesus that has happened hundreds of years after the “days of Ahaz”. It is the greatest event in history where God finally dwelt among men. As I reread and reflect on this story, I am simply brought to that very moment when Isaiah was speaking to Ahaz, a king who refuses to put his faith in God. I am brought to that time when the prophecy about Immanuel was not yet fulfilled. A time where unrighteousness seemingly prevailed yet an underserved gift was still proclaimed. Many artists are drawn to abstraction for many reasons, as for me I am drawn to it with a passionate desire to see things differently. To see the move of God in history. To see God’s poetry in creation… And this work is my poetry on paper. The movement and traces of the ink on sculptured paper may be labeled as an abstraction but it imitates a movement to a series of events that were already fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled. And all of these seem only like a reflection on the water! Isaiah invites King Ahaz, despite being ungodly, to ask from the Lord your God. Now that we live in this time in history many years after the coming of Jesus, my work humbly invites you to reflect and keep on asking from the Lord your God as you move through the chronos and the kairos. Immanuel is the sign already given to us thousands of years ago. We carry and announce this same sign until today, and along the way, God continues to communicate in different ways, signs, and wonders to us. Sign is from the Greek word “ôth”, which means - a distinguishing mark, banner, remembrance, miraculous sign, or warning. In my work, I use ink that moves freely in water instead of only being controlled by the brush. The moving ink gives unpredictable patterns and textures as it dries. I then sculpt the whole paper to enhance these patterns and textures, which expresses the desire for liberation. This desire is a humble request; an invitation to bring along others to freedom – to join the movement of God’s people. As we move we carry a distinguishing mark (sign - Immanuel) and a unique ink print in our little chapter in history. By the grace of Heaven’s hands, may we be very discerning to navigate in this temporary world. There is a divine drama where all creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the already and not yet. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Luwalhati's paintings interpret and capture the patterns, colors and play of light that nature brings, from the coral reefs of the 7,641 islands of the Philippines to the beautiful snow-covered French Alps, which leads her to see and tell stories of another world that she imagines and longs for. She wants to integrate her background and influence as an interior designer with her passion for fine arts. Her intuition, observations and studies led her to create her series of semi-abstract and abstract paintings with layers of colors and textures through her personal technique of ink on sculptured paper. This is one aspect of her repertoire but she also creates playful illustrations of fantasy and reality. Luwalhati recently came back to the Philippines after 8 years of living and working in Paris, France as a missionary artist. Life is now fuller and busier since the artist married the poet. And this particular poet has 3 darling children who lost their previous mom to cancer. So, they are now settled in the beautiful island of Bohol where you can also visit her humble studio that pairs as an airbnb. Website Luwalhati . About the Artist International Flower Bath Luwalhati . Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Questions Davelyn Hill Questions, Detail 1 Questions, Detail 2 Questions, Detail 3 Loading Video . . . Multi-talented Davelyn Hill offers up this visual and poetic response to Luke 18:18-30, inviting the audience to participate in self-reflection along with the rich young ruler. Luke 18:18-30 Questions By Davelyn Hill Credits: Creative Writing Genre: Poetry Painting photographed by ShAy Black Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2020 12 x 24 inches Mixed media Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link I love these verses on the Rich Young Ruler. I used a recycled piece that is years old to create this work. It is mixed media, using acrylic, yarn, paper, wood, and metal. I have a philosophy about not creating art to sit in a warehouse or extra storage. For me, it is to be enjoyed as a part of the culture of a home or business. This piece did not sell so it was in the rework pile. I painted it the first time and apparently was able to process whatever I needed to and move on. As I began to read the scripture in context, what struck me most was that he his hands were full . So, my figure's hands are full of balloons and treasures. He will not let go in order to grasp the hand of the other larger figure in the painting. Where your treasure is there your heart will be ( Matt 6:21 ) . There is so much that he can't see in the rainbow with the many colors and swirls, and textures — all he knows is that God is asking for what is in His hands. The Ruler's Question: 1. Why do I need to sell everything if wealth is an indicator of nearness to God? Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Davelyn Hill is the Program Director for Speaking Down Barriers . She has a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College where she is working on a second Masters in Creative Writing with an emphasis in poetry. Known as “Davelyn Athena” in some circles, she is also an author, poet, and intuitive painter. She has featured at “Say it with Slay’” in Spartanburg, SC. Her art has been displayed through Spark and Echo, the National Equity in Medicine Online Gallery, and Neue South SPACE Walk. Davelyn Athena is a two-time Haiku Champion at Say What Haiku slam through Wits End Poetry . She recently held an online auction of her art to raise funds and awareness for a campaign to provide healing and resources to Black women who have been previously incarcerated. Alongside providing counseling services, she has led support groups, presented research, and conducted university presentations around racial trauma and oppression. Most recently she has been coordinating with funeral personnel around issues with grief and is a part of a team of facilitators presenting public series on the grieving process. Davelyn is also a Level II Reiki Practitioner of the Usuimethod. She is a spiritual director, healer, life map retreat provider and spiritual midwife. Find Davelyn at: Instagram Facebook Website Davelyn Hill About the Artist Kept Davelyn Hill Other Works By Read the accompanying poem: Questions Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Honor Thy Father Christopher Williams Resized Smaller Loading Video . . . In this rich and personal work, painter Christopher Williams (also known as The Black DaVinci) reflects on Black Joy and his relationship with his own father in response to Exodus 20:20. Exodus 20:20 Honor Thy Father By Christopher Williams Credits: Curated by: Rebecca Testrake 2021 84 x 66 inches Oil on Canvas stretched over wood panel with Copper/Gold Leaf Mixed Media Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link My art practice focuses on Black Joy: a spiritual feeling that has uplifted the African Diaspora through countless trials and tribulations in the quest for freedom and equity. It defies a simplistic explanation. Black Joy is like a heartbeat. Never bitter, it is sweeter than the blackest of cherries or the richest of chocolates. It is a steady climb or an out of frame kiss. It is a moment that is magical, that expands what it means to be Black and does not limit Black people to being solely objects of judgement and discrimination. My joy, my Black Joy may not be the same as the next. For me, it is a vehicle for connection, educating others and sharing my experience as a Black man. I am able to develop authentic empathy for my subject matter, laying their soul bare in my art making. At once, the viewer connects not only with my subject matter, but also me. Black Joy in my art making is not straight forward. It is, at times, elusive and difficult to grasp. My paintings transport the viewer through different realms of emotions, expanding from realism to partial realism laced with abstraction, often conveying the notion of being out of time and place with an expressionistic element that can be viscerally felt. My figures tend to gaze back at the viewer, at times emboldened, at times cautious because my Black joy emerges directly from the historical context of struggle and oppression, yet always striving to be respected and fully seen. I have found this process is like walking to the edge of darkness and then calling upon faith to take one more step to embrace all of joy's manifestations. Of note specifically about this piece is that the Bible that is on the left-hand side was my father's huge king James version from 1984. My dad wrote and highlighted and taped Post-it notes all throughout many chapters—cross referencing other Bible verses. He also used to quiz me all the time about Scripture. Those were good memories. I was on a Bible quizzing team that placed 7th nationally. My dad was very proud because as I grew older, every Bible quiz and team I was on placed first or high enough to compete in national tournaments. I used to be able to quote a lot of chapters in the Bible by memory (my favorite Bible verse being Hebrews 4:12 ). So, the verse Exodus 20:20 means so much to me! Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Christopher Williams’ art practice focuses on Black Joy — a spiritual feeling that has uplifted the African Diaspora through countless trials and tribulations in the quest for freedom and equality. It defies a simplistic explanation. He explains its experience: Black Joy is like a heartbeat. Never bitter, it is sweeter than the blackest of cherries or the richest of chocolates. It’s like a steady climb or an out-of-frame kiss. It is a moment that is magical and void of being Black, judged and discriminated against. My joy, my Black Joy may not be the same as the next. It is my vehicle for connection, educating others and sharing my experience as a Black man. What makes the journey of my work unique is my ability to develop authentic empathy for my subject matter. I have found this process is like walking to the edge of darkness and then summoning the courage to take one more step to understand what lies beyond our differences. These steps are necessary to overcome bigotry, hatred and indifference, to embrace the pursuit of joy. Website Christopher Williams About the Artist The Modern Day Queen of Sheba & Queen Esther Christopher Williams Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Katrina Ross Samuel Josefine5 Loading Video . . . Artist and theologian Katrina Ross created this beautiful work and thoughtful prosaic reflection in response to 1 Samuel 2:19. 1 Samuel 2:19 Samuel and Time Travel By Katrina Ross Credits: Curated by: Jonathon Roberts 2019 Pen + Photoshop Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link I think all spiritual practice is a cultivation of faith that the divine is good and present with us, even in the struggles we face. Throughout my life, I've found personal healing by making art, and think of it as part of my spiritual practice. For as long as I can remember, I've used drawing to process my emotions and challenges. Sitting at a desk in my room as a child was a safe place to be, and it continues to be a safe place today. I realized later in life that the drawings I've made are cryptic journal entries, which I've saved in notebooks all these years. When I go back to them, the drawings allow me to revisit those times in my life. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Katrina Ross is currently an M.Div student at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and she has also worked as a freelance graphic designer and artist for many years. She draws things using ink, water-based paints and digital applications. Katrina’s inspiration is often derived from things she thinks she saw, or symbols that want to be reconfigured. She tries to avoid explicit narrative to leave room for a range of experiences, because your contribution as the viewer is central to the meaning. Website: katrinaross.net Blog: katrinaross.blogspot.com Website Katrina Ross About the Artist Oil Monster Katrina Ross Other Works By You can read her exploration of the passage and her work by clicking on this title: Samuel and Time Travel . Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

emmitt-israel-feat.jpg EmmittIsrael2.jpg Loading Video . . . Artist Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky responds to Joshua 1:1-6. Joshua 1:1-6 IsraelearsI By Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky Credits: Curated by: Evelyn C. Lewis 2015 3/8 x 20 x 25 inches Drawing- pen and ink on dentil. Frame- fabricated steel with satin wax finish Mixed Media Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link It takes much meditation and concentration to trace the intricacies of a map. What is most fascinating is what I see within them as they emerge on the page. Often I find an arrangement which renders the map in a fitting representation of itself. In this case it is almost animalistic and yet so beautiful and simple. By mirror imagining the map I have taken it to another level of beauty. Maps are so full of dialogue and history. I wanted to remove some of the loaded politics and religion that is behind Israel‚ strip it of its names and labels. The passage I chose represents so perfectly what is still going on in this land today. Often in my work I combine different mediums and art forms (I.e. drawing and sculpture), which is why I chose to suspend the drawing so one can walk around the piece and view it's transparency from both sides. I saw it fit to juxtapose the map in front of a Brooklyn cityscape. it plays on my personal Jewish background and having been to Israel versus my residence in Brooklyn. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky is a transgender artist who has resided in Brooklyn since he graduated from Pratt Institute in 2008 with a BFA in Sculpture. The spark for his love of maps all began when he traced his first map of his coastal hometown in Massachusetts. He currently works as lead fabricator at a high-end metal shop where he is continuing to pursue his passion for metalworking. Website Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky About the Artist Emmitt Klein-Stropnicky Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

aaron-beaumont-air-post-3-feat.jpg Loading Video . . . In my first post, I laid out plans (you might even call them my “best laid plans” at the time) to select and refine lyrical content during the second phase of my project. So, naturally, this required me to devote the last few months exclusively to sketching out musical ideas and avoiding lyrical ones at all costs. In the process, however, an overall structure and concept has started to emerge, albeit possibly an overly ambitious one at this point. More refining, limiting, and general paring down will definitely be in order, BUT in the meantime, I’ll attempt to make some sense of the current disparate glut of ideas. Find the complete progression of the work linked below. Daniel 4 Artist in Residence 2017: Aaron Beaumont - Part 2 By Aaron Beaumont Credits: Curated by: Spark & Echo Arts, Artist in Residence 2017 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link June 19, 2017 In my first post, I laid out plans (you might even call them my “best laid plans” at the time) to select and refine lyrical content during the second phase of my project. So, naturally, this required me to devote the last few months exclusively to sketching out musical ideas and avoiding lyrical ones at all costs. In the process, however, an overall structure and concept has started to emerge, albeit possibly an overly ambitious one at this point. More refining, limiting, and general paring down will definitely be in order, BUT in the meantime, I’ll attempt to make some sense of the current disparate glut of ideas. I keep coming back to the idea of the oblivion – or even serenity – of Nebuchadnezzar’s “punishment” for hubris. It doesn’t actually sound all that bad to spend seven years unselfconsciously communing with animals. Is it better to know, or is self consciousness a burden? Is an omniscient God therefore infinitely miserable? You could even see how Nebuchadnezzar’s chastening brings him relief: from having to know, from being a god among humans. The unknowability of mental states other than our own (and maybe even including our own) is endlessly fascinating, as is the variability of one’s own mental state and identity. Accordingly, I’ve been sketching out a sonic psychological journey somewhat inspired by Nebuchadnezzar, as he moves from a sort of “innocence” – the naivete of solipsism – into experience: an awareness of not only the ‘self’ but also of the ‘other,’ of the infringement and imposition of something greater, of something different from his own absolute sovereignty and will. The way I’m hoping all this will play out is in a series of short movements or a musical collage representing a state of flux, like psychological weather or a sort of mental channel surfing. The changes could be jarring or synchronous. I’m hoping to include some choral and instrumental interludes, and may also cut between brief excerpts from several of my own “orphan” unrecorded songs to represent the manic channel-changing transitions between movements. I like this idea of “sampling” myself – my older unrecorded work – as a representation of memory or identity itself, the illusion that we’re ever a fixed point or something other than dynamic. These previous works therefore function like memories or artifacts of a different self in a different psychological state. I’ve included four rough instrumental sketches, and a few pieces of sheet music. Here’s my current sort of Rorschach interpretation of them: Sample 1: oblivion, indeterminacy, movement, disorientation, flux, introspection Sample 2: oblivion, haze, holy nature, pastoral, serene, picturesque, transitioning Sample 3: dreamy, free, easy, floating, here (also the clear sonic outlier here – work in progress!) Sample 4: reconciliation, emergence, revelation, daylight, resolution, experience, settling, stasis All music written, performed, and produced by Aaron Beaumont. 2017. VIEW: SHEET MUSIC FOR VOCAL INTERLUDE SKETCH 1 VIEW: SHEET MUSIC FOR ORCHESTRAL SKETCH 1 The challenges moving forward will be selecting lyrics that support the musical ideas, refining the music, and weaving the discrete movements into a seamless work. I’m also hoping to work with a few instrumentalists and vocalists – at this point I *plan* to incorporate violin, harp, bass, and horns. And, as exemplified by Nebuchadnezzar’s impromptu foray into the animal kingdom, if one thing is reliable, it is the best laid plans of mice and men! Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Aaron Beaumont has toured the U.S. and Europe as a pianist and songwriter and been invited to share his work in wide-ranging venues from the Sziget Festival in Budapest to KCRW Santa Monica to the Tribeca Film Festival to off-Broadway Theatre 80 in the East Village to the main stage of the West Hollywood Carnaval. L.A. Weekly wrote that Aaron's music brings "a new life to the ancient music-hall/pop piano-man tradition, with clear-headed songs of genuinely witty lyrical oomph and, most of all, a historically informed musical depth – all delivered with style, grace, wit and elan, of course." Aaron wrote one song, arranged two others, and served as a piano performance coach for the feature Permission (Rebecca Hall, Dan Stevens, Jason Sudeikis, 2017 Tribeca Film Festival), which premieres worldwide February 2018. He also contributed two songs to the forthcoming series Dan is Dead (Drake Bell, Maker Studios) and two songs to the indie feature film Alex & Jaime (2017 Roxbury International Film Festival). Aaron contributed an original co-write (“17”) and several arrangements to Gil McKinney’s 2017 debut album, How Was I to Know, which reached #1 on the iTunes jazz chart and #8 on the Billboard jazz chart. He also co-wrote “Good Love” for Briana Buckmaster’s 2018 debut album (#1 iTunes blues, #3 Billboard blues). Other recent TV and film placements include original songs written for Cedar Cove (Andie McDowell) and Where Hope Grows (Billy Zabka, Danica McKellar; Dallas Film Festival, Roadside Attractions). Aaron has composed original scores for films and theatrical productions, including All the Lovely Wayside Things; Tall, Dark, and Handsome; Heart; Until We Have Faces; Shrew; The Fire Room; the Breakfast Show with Adam O; Companion; and Beyond Imagination, winning best score and sound design at the Hollywood Fringe Festival for his work on Fugitive Kind’s production of The Fire Room by Ovation Award-winning playwright Meghan Brown. In 2016, Aaron wrote a commissioned work for the Spark & Echo Arts project, and in 2017 Aaron created a larger scale work as an Artist in Residence. Aaron also works as an in-house arranger, producer, composer, and mix engineer for the Gregory Brothers / Schmoyoho, whose original music has earned them a gold and platinum record and nearly one billion views on YouTube, along with myriad collaborations on other platforms. Recent Gregory Brothers collabs include the Justice League film (ft. Gary Clark Jr.), Weird Al Yankovic, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bassnectar, Alex Wassabi, LaurDIY, Markiplier, Slow Mo Guys, Todrick Hall, J. Fla, The Resident (Fox Network), and the International Olympic Channel. Songs Aaron has worked on with the Gregory Brothers have received over 175 million plays on YouTube. In 2015, Aaron participated in the Ultraviolet Music and Arts Festival in Los Angeles as a featured artist and presenter, and performed with his band The Mots Nouveaux for the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Rockwood Music Festival in Frankfurt, Germany. Aaron wrote the music and lyrics to the original musical, Behind Closed Doors, which sold out every performance at the historic Hayworth Theater, received multiple Broadway World L.A. Award nominations, and played for thousands of festival goers on the main stage of the West Hollywood Carnaval. Behind Closed Doors was selected to participate in the New York International Fringe Festival as a national show, enjoying a mostly oversold run at off-Broadway Theatre 80 in the East Village. Aaron was selected as a finalist as a composer and lyricist for the Fred Ebb Foundation / Roundabout Theatre Company Fred Ebb Award for musical theater songwriters, and received the Hal Gaba Scholarship for Excellence in Lyrics from UCLA/Concord Records. Aaron is currently developing new musicals with playwrights Meghan Brown, Andrew Crabtree, Peter Berube, and Cassandra Christensen, and a one-woman show with soprano Lorelei Zarifian. Lorelei and Aaron’s first musical triptych, Midtown Antoinette, was featured on NPR-affiliate WFIT in March 2016 and debuted as part of the Florida Tech / Foosaner Museum French Film Festival. Aaron also occasionally helps produce the outrageous bingo raves phenomenon, Rebel Bingo, in New York and Los Angeles, as featured in the L.A. Times, Guardian, and BBC , and recently played a run of five capacity shows in the downtown L.A.’s Globe Theatre as part of 2016 Night on Broadway. Aaron has collaborated as pianist, musical director, and/or co-writer with a panoply of music buddies, including Jason Manns, Gil McKinney, Sara Niemietz, Tim Omundsen, Dave Yaden, Nicholas Zork, Aaron Roche, Nick Bearden, Emma Fitzpatrick, Amanda Wallace, Shane Alexander, Ben Jaffe, Brett Young, Courtney Bassett, Eden Malyn, Luis Selgas, Aly French, Sam Heldt, Karma Jenkins, Emily Iaquinta, Lynette Williams, Meshach Jackson, Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, Kamasi Washington, Chad Doreck, J.T. Spangler, and Katrina Parker. He claimed several distinctions as a young classical pianist, including two-time Wisconsin Academy Musician of the Year, Andrews University Concerto Competition Finalist, and the British Royal Conservatory of Music Award of Highest Distinction for Piano Performance at the Newbold Creative Arts Festival. He currently serves as co-chair of the Carnegie Hill Concert Series in New York, featuring leading interpreters of classical and New Music from around the globe. In 2015, Aaron founded SongLab, an online songwriting community for emerging songwriters. The inaugural SongLab Series welcomed GRAMMY-winner Dave Yaden as special guest. In addition to working with other artists, Aaron performs as one-third of the pop trio, The Mots Nouveaux, alongside vocalists Emma Fitzpatrick and Amanda Wallace. The band celebrated their latest album release with a residency at Hotel Café, a six-month residency at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, and residencies at Rockwood Music Hall and Sidewalk Café in New York. They were invited to join the lineup for the Broke L.A. Music Festival in downtown Los Angeles, where Lyynks music hailed their set as the “greatest revelation” of the festival, one that “really thrilled the crowd” of thousands at the Lounge Stage (GroundSounds.com). The Mots Nouveaux recorded a new EP in Spring 2017 with co-producer Peter Barbee / Among Savages, with forthcoming tracks slated for 2018 release. Aaron released his debut solo project, Nothing's Forever (Not Even Goodbye), featuring the first ten songs he wrote, on Milan Records (Warner-Ryko) in 2008. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys playing the piano, traveling, eating, writing songs, making coffee, drinking coffee, collecting records, going for brisk walks, being near coffee, and composing extensive autobiographical sketches in the third person. Website Aaron Beaumont About the Artist Artist in Residence 2017: Aaron Beaumont - Part 3 Artist in Residence 2017: Aaron Beaumont - Part 1 Lightness of the Pines Artist in Residence 2017: Aaron Beaumont Narwhal and Ocelot (Dietary Restrictions) Aaron Beaumont Other Works By Follow the development of Aaron's project by continuing to read his prior first , third and final posts written as 2017 Artist in Residence project. 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suarez_final.jpg Loading Video . . . Since my last post I’ve made headway on a couple of fronts. I am thrilled to share that I will be the Studio Artist-in-Residence at 1450 Ocean through the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division. From July 13-August 31, I will have free access to a studio to further incubate this project. The studio has gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and is blocks from my home! I can’t wait! At the end of the residency we will offer an informal showing of the work to the public. Find the complete progression of the work linked below. Ruth 1:16-17 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 2 By Christine Suarez Credits: Curated by: Spark & Echo Arts, Artist in Residence 2015 2015 Dance Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link June 22, 2015 Since my last post I’ve made headway on a couple of fronts. I am thrilled to share that I will be the Studio Artist-in-Residence at 1450 Ocean through the City of Santa Monica Cultural Affairs Division. From July 13-August 31, I will have free access to a studio to further incubate this project. The studio has gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and is blocks from my home! I can’t wait! At the end of the residency we will offer an informal showing of the work to the public. I have also begun rehearsals with my two collaborators: dance artists, Carol McDowell and Rebeca Hernandez. We started with reading and discussing the Book of Ruth together. We have been uncovering a lot of scholarship around the Book of Ruth. Here is an excerpt from some of research that we find particularly fascinating: “In scene one ( 1:1–22 ) Ruth emerges in tension with her culture. She marries outside her own people, disavows the solidarity of her family, abandons her national identity, and renounces her religious affiliation. In the entire biblical epic of Israel, only Abraham approaches this radicalness, but then he had a call from God ( Gen, 12:1–3 ) and also a wife. Ruth stands alone, without support human or divine. Moreover, she reverses sexual allegiance. A young woman commits herself to an old woman in a world where life depends upon men.” By Phyllis Trible ( http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/ruth-bible ) We are also finding much inspiration from paintings of this story. This video is a sketch of material that we’ve created using about a dozen paintings of Naomi and Ruth. We are discovering this entry point to be rich. It is becoming clear that this project is about relationships: Ruth and Naomi’s relationship, their relationship with God, and their relationships to their nation, culture and religion. More soon! And please if you have any thoughts or responses, I welcome them! Email me at info@suarezdance.org. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Christine Suarez is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, performer and educator. Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Baton Rouge Louisiana, Christine made her first works of choreography to the Grease soundtrack. Since then she has created eleven evening-length dance-theater works, numerous site-specific and community events and close to a dozen dances for the theater and film, along with teaching, creating and performing at school sites all over the U.S. While living in New York City from 1994-2006, her work was presented at various venues including Danspace Project, P.S. 122, HERE, Joyce SoHo and Dixon Place. In 1998 she founded SuarezDanceTheater, a not-for-profit, ensemble of dancers, actors and musicians. SuarezDanceTheater examines the unexpected – creating dance-theater in unexpected places with unexpected people about unexpected subjects. Christine and company were Artists in Residence at Tribeca Performing Arts Center from 2003-2006. Her work has toured nationally and internationally to over 20 cities. Her work happens in theaters, houses, parks, Churches, galleries, sidewalks and beaches. She collaborates with multi-generational performers along with parents, children, veterans, high school students and teen mothers. Since relocating to Los Angeles, she has been invigorated by making dances in unexpected places. Wet Spots (2008) was a site-specific performance about female orgasm that she created in collaboration with a multi-generational cast of women. The Los Angeles Times called it “ingeniously crafted…poignant…hilarious.” She has organized community dance participatory performances in parks, beaches and classrooms in partnership with city governments, community based organizations and schools. She has also been touring Wet Spots: Solo to Tallinn, Estonia, Movement Research at Judson Church (New York City), The Garage (San Francisco), Emory University (Atlanta, GA), The A.W.A.R.D. Show! (REDCAT). Most recently she premiered her new evening length work MOTHER . at the Motion Pacific at the Santa Cruz Fringe Festival and Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, CA. As an educator, Christine has worked at public schools all over the New York City and Los Angeles area. She has been a guest teacher/choreographer at California State University San Marcos, California State University Los Angeles, Emory University, Indiana University, Southeastern University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University. She holds an MFA in choreography from UCLA’s World Arts and Cultures Department and a BA in Theater and English Literature from Emory University. She is a government contractor co-creating a dance program for Veterans at The School for Better Living, a psycho-social research initiative a the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. She also works as a teaching artist with the HeArt Project. She has been awarded grants from the Center for Cultural Innovation, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Puffin Foundation, Meet the Composer, the Association for Hispanic Arts, JP Morgan Chase Regrant, the Field and the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center. She is honored to be a Hispanic Scholarship Fund/Cheech Marin Endowed Scholarship Scholar and recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund McNamara Family Creative Arts Projects Grant. (Photo by CedarBough Saeji) www.suarezdance.org Website Christine Suarez About the Artist Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 3 Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Part 1 The joy of our heart has ceased; Our dance has turned into mourning. Artist in Residence 2015: Christine Suarez Christine Suarez Other Works By Follow the developmental journey of Christine's project by reading her first , third and final post written over the course of the year. 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Loading Video . . . These Are My Sons, by Jonathon Roberts, explores the life of David as reflected through his children and picks out the themes of "Lies" and "Genealogies" from the texts of: 2 Samuel 3:2-5 (Genealogy) 2 Samuel 5:1-16 (David becomes King) 2 Samuel 13:1-34 (Amnon rapes Tamar, Absalom kills Amnon) 2 Samuel 18:9, 14-15 (Absalom killed) 1 King 1:5-27 (Adonijah sets himself up as king) 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 (Genealogy) Jonathon decided to film a live performance for this special post. 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 2 Samuel 3:2-5 2 Samuel 5:1-16 2 Samuel 13:1-34 2 Samuel 18:9 2 Samuel 18:14-15 1 King 1:5-27 These are My Sons By Jonathon Roberts Credits: Words and Music by Jonathon Roberts Musicians: Jonathon Roberts, piano, voice; Emily Clare Zempel, clarinet Recording and Mixing by J Scott Hinkley Filming by Michael Markham Mastering by Christopher Colbert Location: Clocktower Lofts, Bronx, New York Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts 2013 Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link When I read the Bible I often find myself skimming over the lists of names. I forget that these are real people with full lives, emotions, a history, and a legacy. I set out to reverse this habit in myself while writing this song. I found lists of David's sons and daughter in the Old Testament and started to imagine what his relationship might be with each of them. How did this relationship evolve as David's life changed, from being in Hebron to Jerusalem? What about when his sons got caught up in acts of lies and jealousy? I focused on three sons: Amnon, Absalom and Adonijah. I imagined the love that David had for them but also the tremendous regret and sadness he felt at their behavior. Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, Absalom punished and murdered Amnon and ultimately died in disgrace hanging by his hair from a tree, and Adonijah was a charmer who unsuccessfully tried to seize the throne only to be killed as well. David is a noble man; his unending love and trust for God in his life and written in the Psalms is in an inspiration for us all. Still, how would he feel when looking at this same list of his sons that we see. The song begins with the David's joy of bearing children and his rise in power and ends with an imagined scene of David addressing his sons, expressing his frustration, anger and regret. At times he may even see and blame himself. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection J onathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible , in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com Website Jonathon Roberts About the Artist Loving Arms I Make Tents The Sower Response There Is Room Consider Me a Partner Weakness The Day Is Almost Here Surrogate Babbler Remember Me Prayer How Beautiful I Am a Fool The Constant Ecclesiastes Cows Blessing Fools for Christ More Than Rubies Only a Few Years Will Pass Dear Friend Jonathon Roberts Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

blindbutnowisee_melissavandermause.jpg Loading Video . . . We are pleased to feature a photo collage created by photographer Melissa Vandermause in response to a story about sight from John 9. John 9:17-25 I once was blind but now I see By Melissa Vandermause Credits: Artist location: Connecticut Curated by: Charis 2011 Digital photo collage Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link These images are part of a series of "abstract" crosses that I've found on a variety of different photo shoots, both personal and while on specific jobs. I was inspired by another photographer, Carla Ten Eyke, who looks for "10" while she is on location shooting. Because God is omnipresent, it's exciting to visualize the cross in multiple locations, such as a cobblestone road or a shadow made by a pergola. For this specific arrangement of crosses I came up a theme from the biblical story about Jesus healing the blind man at the Pool of Siloam in John 9:17-25. The cross images as I have arranged them (from left to right) begin with subtle, vague visions to a powerful, obvious vision of the cross. I like to correlate that to this story along with our personal sinful confusion in this world, and how God's Holy Spirit brings us to faith and shows us the clear vision of Jesus saving work through God's Word. Even as a life-long Christian, my vision of the cross can become fuzzy and unclear when I allow sin to overcome me and cloud my world vision. Then going back to God's Word and keeping a focus on him helps my world vision be a world vision of peace through Jesus. God may not be visible to us as he was in the Bible, however he is alive and present in our world daily. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Melissa Vandermause has a B. A. in Fine Art from Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN, where she studied studio art and concentrated in photography and graphic design. After she graduated, she worked with New Generation Studio (now Lime Rock Photography) in Mankato, and was the recipient of the Wedding Album of the Year (2006 MPPA) award. Melissa, her husband Greg and two children live and work near Hartford, Connecticut where Melissa documents, creates and “captures life as intended” with her own professional photography studio, Galleria Vivid. Website Melissa Vandermause About the Artist "From Infancy..." Melissa Vandermause Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

difference-and-unity_katie-musgrove.jpg Loading Video . . . British artist Katie Musgrove's new work responds to the theme of "Community" as reflected in both Genesis 1:27 and 1 Corinthians 12:25. Genesis 1:27 1 Corinthians 12:25. Difference and Unity By Katie Musgrove Credits: Curated by: Alex Douglas 2012 30 x 42 centimeters Watercolor Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link "God created mankind in his own image" (Gen 1:27). It is the uniqueness of each and every individual which demonstrates that God is a God of infinite variation. And yet, despite the endless differences which lie within humanity God tells those who have committed themselves to following Jesus to be and live as a part of a whole. "There should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other" (1 Cor 12:25). In visual terms, each of us has been given a unique colour and yet, with the grace and power of God, we must find a way for all of our colours to work together and reach out to those who have not recognised or accepted the source life, the source of colour. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Katie Musgrove currently teaches 16-18 year old students’ art and design in Liverpool, UK where she has been since 2009. In addition to teaching, Katie enjoys developing her own creative practice. Over time her work has organically evolved into a detailed and unique language of abstract shapes and vibrant colours to represent emotions, abstract concepts and reactions to the world around her. In order to further her understanding of art Katie has recently enrolled on an Artist Teacher Masters course at Liverpool John Moore’s University, which will culminate in an exhibition at The Tate, Liverpool. Website Katie Musgrove About the Artist Katie Musgrove Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

don-nyugen-air4th_first-supper-seating-layouts.jpg Loading Video . . . Hi, my name is Don Nguyen and this is my second post for the Artist in Residence project. Find the complete progression of the work linked below. Luke 22:14-48 Artist in Residence 2015: Don Nguyen Part 2 By Don Nguyen Credits: Curated by: Spark+Echo Arts, Artist in Residence 2015 Theatre Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link July 6, 2015 Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Don Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam, grew up in Nebraska, and now currently resides in New York City. As a playwright, Don has written several full-length plays including: SOUND, a sign language play which was a finalist for the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference and was previously developed at The Playwrights Realm. Don’s first full-length play RED FLAMBOYANT was developed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference and was both a finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival as well as the O’Neill National Playwrights Conference. THE MAN FROM SAIGON has been developed at Naked Angels and was a NYSAF Founders Award recipient. THE COMMENCEMENT OF WILLIAM TAN was developed at New York Stage and Film and was a finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival. Don was also recently one of 48 playwrights commissioned for The Flea Theater’s 5 1/2 hour epic production of The Mysteries, directed by Ed Iskander, which was a stage adaptation of the Bible. Don is a proud member of the Ma-Yi Writers Lab, a member of the inaugural Emerging Writers Group at the Public Theater in New York and served five years as artistic director for The Shelterbelt Theatre. Don is also a frequent volunteer for the 52nd Street Project. Website: thenuge.com Website Don Nguyen About the Artist Artist in Residence 2015: Don Nguyen Part 1 Artist in Residence 2015: Don Nguyen Part 3 Artist in Residence 2015: Don Nguyen My Million Spectacular Moments Don Nguyen Other Works By To follow the developmental process of Don's play read his first , third and final posts as a 2015 Artist in Residence. Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work

Loading Video . . . 2012 Spark and Echo Arts Curators Eric and Jeffrey Leiser created this fascinating short film created in response to John 4:13-14. The theme of "Water" is evident here, and the film captures its metaphorical and historical significance in this passage. John 4:13-14 Living Waters By Eric and Jeffrey Leiser Credits: Director/Animator: Eric Leiser Music/Sound by Jeffrey Leiser Special Thanks: Jennifer Colville Leiser, Spark+Echo Arts, Freesound Project Curated by: Adam Tyson 2012 Film Primary Scripture Loading primary passage... Loading Passage Reference... Share This Art: Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy Link Albino Fawn Productions was established in 2001 by filmmakers Eric and Jeffrey Leiser to produce films with spiritual, surreal, experimental and/or animated content. In 2005 AFP teamed up with Vanguard Cinema to release Eclectic Shorts and Faustbook, as well as Imagination [2008] and Glitch in the Grid [2012]. AFP-produced films have won top awards at film festivals internationally and have toured theaters across the United States. Spark Notes The Artist's Reflection Eric Leiser is an award-winning filmmaker, animator, puppeteer, writer, holographer and multi-media artist working in the New York and London area. A graduate from CalArt’s Experimental Animation program, he creates animated and live action feature films and shorts as well as works integrating animation, puppetry, holography, live performance and installation. He has made 24 short films, eight of which appear in the Vanguard release Eclectic Shorts by Eric Leiser, and three features: Faustbook, released by Vanguard Cinema, Imagination, and Glitch in the Grid, both released theatrically in the U.S. before hitting DVD/VOD through Vanguard. Imagination was featured in Animation Magazine and Glitch in the Grid was featured on Apple iTunes Trailers and IMDb Feature Trailers. It also won two awards at the Park City Film Festival and Catskill Film & Video Festival respectively. Eric’s fine art and holographic paintings have exhibited at galleries in the United States, Europe and Asia. Jeffrey Leiser is a composer, screenwriter and sound editor. He started in 2001 with his brother Eric’s short film Autumn, moving on to compose original music and sound edit 23 short films and 3 feature films. In 2011, he won a Gold Medal for best use of music in a feature film [Glitch in the Grid] at the Park City Film Festival. Jeffrey has released 11 albums through iTunes and CDBaby. As a colorist assistant for Technicolor, Jeffrey worked on hit TV Shows like USA’s White Collar and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, as well as feature films like The Town, Black Swan, and a host of other films and TV Spots. In 2007, Jeffrey graduated from Video Symphony, a Pro Tools accredited institute for post-production. He is the co-founder, with his brother Eric, of Albino Fawn Productions, an independent film company focused on exhibiting experimental, non-narrative, and/or spiritual works. He also wrote the screenplay Finding Infinity, a biopic about Georg Cantor, and Twilight Park, about a boy who gets the chance to live out his grandpa’s past memories. Website Eric and Jeffrey Leiser About the Artist Eric and Jeffrey Leiser Other Works By Related Information View More Art Make More Art View Full Written Work Close Loading Video . . . Download Full Written Work