WR #11
Starting this review the Monday after Easter and finishing it Tuesday Thursday. 😬 Doing the best I can while we’re in this season of re-working Ahead in 100 curriculum and helping Mom and Dad move. And we made a quick, one-night trip to Nashville to see Amor Towles in discussion with Ann Patchett. We got back late last night (Wednesday). It was a great trip, but I’m feeling discombobulated and missing my longer art sessions.
Last week’s focus
Holy Week… was off schedule a bit since we went to Hokes Bluff over the weekend. It feels like we’re just trying to keep our heads above water until we can decrease our surface area a bit. (Hopefully, Lord willing, we’re going to sell the building and move to a beach condo… maybe that’ll be our setup this next time year. 🤷♀️)
I want to focus on “spotting the ravens” during this season. My awareness of my utter weakness during this season is definitely prompting me to turn to Christ, so I’m thankful for that.
”But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, sot that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” - 2 Corinthians 12:9-11
Helpful inputs/ resources from the week
Biblical Literacy in a Culture of Instant Gratification… I realize I’m falling prey to this in my spiritual life AND my art practice. I want to deeply know the Bible and be good at all things art YESTERDAY. I have to remember it’s a never-ending process of striving toward improvement, under God’s grace.
Gavin Ortlund’s Truth Unites podcast - How to Persevere in Wilderness Seasons and Overcoming Discouragement (the jar and the jug won’t run dry… spotting the ravens) and
STUDIO TIME LOG
Monday | 03-25
Great Are You Lord meditation/ abstract painting session
Tuesday | 03-26
Elon sketch
Wednesday | 03-27
Bird on Nelson’s fence sketch
Thursday | 03-28
Branding sketches
Friday | 03-29
Laundry sketch 🙃
Saturday | 03-30
Abstract sketch of Nick right before bed
Sunday | 03-31
Missed (Easter - traveling back from Hokes Bluff after a full weekend of visiting family)
SKETCHBOOK REVIEW
March 25, 2024
What question did I ask my sketchbook with this spread?
How can I translate complex concepts and truths about God into mark making?
How do I feel about it overall?
It felt great to have an extended painting session. And it was amazing how good I felt after meditating on “Great are You Lord” for an hour. But I felt like all my pieces came out really messy, and I didn’t love my color choices. My shapes (like the mountains in another piece) also came out looking very icon-ish.
What am I curious about?
I’d like to explore more solid areas of color. I’d also enjoy mixing abstract and illustrative elements (like Orla Stevens in this video).
What do I want to carry forward?
Longer art sessions meditating on Christ - in the form of a song, poem, or Scripture.
FINAL WRAP UP
What has God taught me this week about glorifying Him through my art?
God is my strength. I can cry out to Him for help and wisdom, and He will answer me. I shouldn’t be afraid of feeling weak… when my eyes are open to how much I need God, then that’s the best place I can be in. Thinking that I’m strong and have it all together is, in reality, a much scarier place to be than feeling weak.
And nothing reminds me of my weakness more than picking up a pencil or a paintbrush. It makes me feel so vulnerable! It seems so silly, but it really does help remind me to focus on Christ. He’s everything!
What am I excited about/ what’s my plan for next week? Any changes to initial 2024 planning?
Pep talk to myself:
Just stay consistent, Hanna. I know you’re not having huge daily art sessions, but it’s ok! Just making a mark a day is a step in the right direction. As things fall into place over the next few months, you should have more art time (if the Lord wills). Take your desire to grow creatively to Him. Put in the work consistently (even if it’s only 5 minutes some days), and trust that God will use your efforts however He sees fit. Pray for His wisdom and guidance in your life, including in how you pursue art.
