Not sure why I am fascinated with the religious iconography of Catholicism, it may be more the folk shrines and art of Latin American countries I have seen that makes it so interesting to me, but I wanted to try a few ideas and this is the first of that series.  The Catholic devotion, Sacred Heart of Jesus, is the inspiration behind the visual elements, though even after reading up on it some, I can’t say I really understand what is meant by a devotion in this context.  However, the title, while being a play on words, is also drawn from the materials, a heart encircled by barbed wire, while a prisoner of sorts, is also guarded.  Wounded and scarred, a make shift stitch job, still shows an exposed, unhealed wound.  The glory that should show from the heart is instead portrayed from distressed, dirty, fading wood.

Certainly a commentary of the condition of my own heart often, if we’ll brave a conversation, we find we are not alone in our fearful, scarred hearts.

But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.   Ps 115:3

Dan2:28,37, Isa 34:4, Ps 19:1-3

As we read through the exile books of Nehemiah and Ezra the phrase “the God of Heaven” appeared over and over, and not just in the mouths of the Israelites, but in gentile kings and leaders. 

In Daniel we see this again as both Daniel proclaims it is the God of Heaven who is the revealer of mysteries and as Nebuchadnezzar is humbled by the Most High God and acknowledges Him as the King of Heaven.   

Not identified as a national deity or cult figure, the God of Heaven, with a domain that has no boundaries, is thus also the God of all the Earth. 

And while it is impossible for us to look past the heavens, we are assured that God will one day roll up the Heavens like a scroll and will reveal all things that are now hidden. 

I was inspired by the woodcut below, thinking at our attempts to comprehend the heavens and how humans have struggled to understand our place in the cosmos.  For the piece I chose both ancient astronomy pieces and charts from the Apollo 11 voyage.  The key hole, which represents the unknown, is off center hinting at our inability to even guess at the right place to go for answers, much less get them.

 “Of that place beyond the heavens,” wrote Plato, “none of our earthly poets has yet sung, and none shall sing worthily.”  Undaunted by Plato’s warning, artists sought to depict what might lie past the sphere of the cosmos as this well known woodcut illustrates…The sun,  moon and stars—the known celestial bodies—appear within the arch of the heavens.  Outside are unfamiliar orbs, turbulence and the machinery that moves the universe

-David Ulansey

Through our recent road trip and a DVD I borrowed, I  found out about a three men that have inspired me to continue attempting to make art and find a place of service and blessing to others in it.

Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain, in Niland CA, Horace Burgess’ tree house in Crossville, TN and H. Harrison Mayes’ roadsigns everywhere, are striking examples to me of how faith informs our lives, including making art.  From what I have read, all three were motivated by their faith and devotion and never tried to make more out of their actions than they did their faith.  No business, no catchy marketing, just living as they felt led.  No explanation and no fanfare.

Some can see it as odd or ecentric, misguided or benign, but I have been blessed justing knowing these men have it in their hearts to obey God and try with their lives to see others come to know that love and salvation offered to us through His Son.

Stirred in my own attempts and blessed by these works, I just wanted to share them with you.

Also check out Austin White’s site.  They were gracious and open to me using his photo.  And they personally have met Leonard and confirmed he is just an amazing person.

As I read and re-read Isaiah 53 I was struck by the incredible foretelling and picture of the suffering Christ would endure. I thought of Peter looking back at the glorious salvation provided by the sufferings of the Cross, on back to the Old Testament prophets who foretold it.

“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”

I was amazed that by the grace of God, it is apparent to us today, though the sufferings of the Deliverer and Redeemer of Israel, the Messiah, were not understood to even the prophets who so accurately foretold of Him.

Though they had the entire sacrificial system and the theology of the sin offering for our transgressions, they would not have guessed at the plan God had to faithfully and finally buy Israel back from her sins and to open it up to us Gentiles, who have been included in that blessing of Israel. 

And I saw my many responses, my anger and sin towards God, my silence before His great plan and initiation of this salvation and my great joy at His grace that I should be shown mercy.

The piece depicts the violence done to the Servant, the scourging He bore for our benefit and the piercing for our transgressions. It is composed of layers of pages Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and 1 Pet 1, between pages of papyrus, writing materials used by the ancients and finished with a piece of parchment made from animal skin, all signifying the Word made flesh and the sacrificial offering of Christ.

It was around 1986, and he spoke with conviction, thick glasses and cool dreads. He danced to music as his voiceover explained his dancing was like an act of worship, though without using that word.  It concluded with him stating “Some sing, some pray, I dance.”  And then the Levi’s logo faded up as the picture faded to black. 

I of course wasn’t moved to go buy a pair of Levi’s, even though almost 25 years later I still remember the commercial (and somehow still think of Levi’s as the best jeans).  But of the idea that dancing was like a prayer, an act of devotion, I remember being intrigued but never really experiencing that in my own life.   

I think of my frustration through my own waywardness and hearing Rich Mullins sing a song and wondering if it was possible to know God like that, to really enjoy that incredible blend of joyful creativity in response to the Creator who wasn’t the frowning and grey stoic I had come to fear He was.  I had my doubts.

But as I have started to explore making art and writing I have come to enjoy art as devotion. Making art as a response to God, making art to work through His moving in my life and my faltering movements towards Him.  And in it, looking to bless others, though I am not sure how much that happens. 

In making pieces, at least for now, the ideas are coming from my own interactions and reflections on scripture, the struggles in my own life and how I see God resolving issues, though never along my preconceived path.  The processes often involve the meditating and ruminating on some concept, theme or portion of scripture that seems pertinent. 

I find myself echoing statements I have heard artists make about being surprised by what they have created, or how the materials led them in a direction they hadn’t planned.  I have experienced that and was amazed at how you can start with an idea, a vision and by working at something, a solution or direction presents itself because of the materials or process used.  And I have seen how I have already grown in my projects, where before I was too literal, or forcing something, more concerned with “being an artist” than making art. 

But just as important as how the content develops, is how I find myself going about the projects, mindful of patience and how I am exploring and not attempting perfection.  Learning to not be bound by the mental image in my head and literally trying to reproduce it in one attempt. No longer rushing through to finish, but looking to enjoy the development of a concept, and working on it as well. 

Outside of the projects, I am seeking to live in balance, to not forgo my duties around the house or to not leave off interacting with and enjoying my wife’s company. 

So I find that art making is a exercise were I learn balance, learn patience, interact with and reflect on God’s word and look for His leading and respond to Him with my humble little creative acts, as I look for His handiwork in my life and try to be teachable.

This piece, “84”, is my first attempt at collage, assemblage and art making.  I am not fond of it really, but it was the beginning and if nothing else it is a mile marker on my journey.  It is a pictorial representation of psalm 84, one of my favorite psalms.  I didn’t really explore any of the ideas or concepts that I find so salient in the psalm nor why, so it is static, but there it is.