Jim Wall Creativity

creating and encouraging creativity
 
Jim Wall Creativity

Does God Care about Your Artwork?

Does God care about your artwork?

He does.

Everyone expresses themselves creatively. It can’t be helped. It’s one of the things we’re born to do. It’s part of what the Bible refers to when it says we’re made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26.)

An essential part of God’s nature is that, beyond all possible imagination of abundance and diversity, he’s creative (Genesis 1:1). We reflect that part of his nature in the abundance and diversity of our art, music, movies, etc. The difference is, God creates out of nothing. We, at best, “borrow” any material we can find and repurpose it. As Picasso said, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.”

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Coloring Inside the Lines, and Other Tips to Enhance Creativity

This first tip for enhancing creativity will feel counter-intuitive: color inside the lines. It may be artistic heresy to say it, but you’ll find your creativity enhanced when limits are placed on you. Limits will force you to think and respond creatively. Study art or artists who function within restrictions. …

Being. Happy and Fortunate.

Sometimes, particularly after a bad experience, I wonder how God’s heart must break from all the evil that we do to each other. The harm, hate and abuse we pour into each other. It’s bad enough what this does to us, I can only imagine God’s pain from seeing it. …

Hip Hops, Blues Rocks, Jazz Bops

Life has a rhythm. Because God put it there. When hip-hops, blues rock and jazz bops it’s because of one thing. Time. Time is a created entity, put into three-dimensional existence by God. Without time, there would be no music – nothing to play against. Without time, music, and life, …

Goya’s Vision

One of Francisco Goya’s most famous paintings is Saturn Devours His Son. There are many interpretations of this painting. From the first time I saw it, I felt that it represented the difference between God and Satan. Whereas God is loving and merciful, going so far as to send his son …

Artificial Intelligence for the Human Creative

One of the benefits of computer artificial intelligence (AI) is that it gathers together the collected knowledge of the computers that have come before it. AI comes pre-loaded with any knowledge we want to place in it. In addition, AI tests, learns and grows. It constantly takes the information it, …

Ambient Guitar, Chapman Stick & PBass Meet for the 1st Time!

I recently visited my friend Bill Vencil, the ambient guitar whiz at Chords of Orion. I had dusted off the Chapman Stick and brought it with me. Even though I had some concerns about playing it well, Bill rolled the tape and posted the result at his YouTube channel. That’s …

Charles de Andrade and the Scribblers Christian Writers’ Club

Once upon a time a group of writers formed a club… And they called it the Scribblers Christian Writers’ Club. Serving in equal measures encourager and spark plug, Charles de Andrade has helped organize several Scribblers’ chapters, all of which meet once a month. Beyond providing encouragement to authors, Scribblers’ …

What is the Connection between God and Creativity?

This is the first of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. What does God think about artists? Does he care? Does he even notice? If everything was right, if we could clearly see the brushstrokes on the canvas of the created world, then the first words of the Bible …

How Will You Combine Self-Expression and Beyond-Imagination?

This is the third of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. “I reached out for something to attach myself to—and I found nothing. But in reaching out, in the effort to grasp, to attach myself, left high and dry as I was, I nevertheless found something I had not …

What does God-led Creativity Look Like?

This is the fourth of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 We are God’s creation, his poem, his work of art. We’re carefully, lovingly created …

Dave Bainbridge’s Continuous Creativity

Something of Dave Bainbridge’s creative persona is infused into everything he does – and he does a lot. Founding member of the Celtic, progressive-folk-rock band, Iona, leader of Celestial Fire, keyboardist with Strawbs,  guitarist/keys player with Lifesigns, member of occasional guitar band GB3, solo artist, and half of the Dave …

Cockburn’s Creative Life

Bruce Cockburn is a poet, songwriter, political activist, guitarist and singer. His songs have been featured on network tv. His lyrics have been quoted by U2 (“Gotta kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight,” in U2’s God, Part II. From Cockburn’s, Lovers in a Dangerous Time). Cockburn’s artistic output is …

Emerging

Emerging by Goya’s Vision In the dark Clueless Dead Moonless night Darkness of despair First light Emerging Awakened A new dawn Shining forth In the light Brilliant Alive Sun drenched day Light of hope Words: Connell Byrne and Gary Tibbels Music: Jim Wall Featured vocalist: Juliet Greene Guitar and bass: Jim …

Os Guinness & “The Call” to Artists

In addition to being the great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer, Os Guinness has attractively and persuasively presented the claims of Christ to our culture, and each of us, since serving as a leader alongside Francis and Edith Schaeffer at L’Abri in the late 1960’s. Guinness’ book, The …

Jeff Ali’s Musical Tapestries

Jeff Ali reached out to me after watching a video of an ambient music piece performed by Bill Vencil and me at Chords of Orion. He forwarded a link to some of his work. I was immediately hooked and curious to learn more about him. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Jeff composes …

Brett Monk and Mount Hideaway Mysteries

Brett Monk has been a radio, TV and film professional for over 30 years. He is the director and showrunner for the Mount Hideaway series on Amazon. He has acted, directed, and crewed in hundreds of productions over the years. He also planted a non-denominational church where he served as Senior …

Matthew Smith and Emotionally Honest Worship

Music in worship. For many churches, it’s a struggle between traditional and contemporary. Is there perhaps another way which honors people’s feelings, glorifies God, and displays unity to a broken world? Matthew Smith uses hymns to help churches guide their people into emotionally honest worship. Matthew is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter …

Claire Underwood Hertzler and The High Sheriff of Greene

Claire Underwood Hertzler recently released her first book, The High Sheriff of Greene, based on the life of a legendary Georgia sheriff. Claire’s writings include these published articles:  “Travel Insurance Tips,” Transitions Abroad Magazine; “Encounter With God,” Church Recreation Magazine; and “Easter at Flat Rock,” Georgia Magazine, also about Greene …

I Let the Deal Go Down

As someone who remembers thinking Frigid Pink recorded the definitive version of House of the Rising Sun, it’s hard to admit falling deep for a bluegrass song. But it happened. A while back a friend lent me a DVD, Best of the Flatt & Scruggs TV Show. This was Volume …

Always More, and Less is Best

As artists, we sometimes wrestle with the question of volume: how many CD’s to press, how many books to print, etc. I’d like to share a couple of encouragements on the difference between artistic output and publishing volume. The best way to think of it is to always aim for …

We’re all Children of our Time

I always thought old age, death, or insanity would quiet their voices. I’m not insane. At least not yet. And even though I’m not dead, I’m much older. The voices are the songs, movies and art of the 1960’s. They were imprinted on me as my first impressions, my earliest …

Celestial Fire is Hot

Rising from the cooling embers of the extraordinary band, Iona, is Celestial Fire. They are a progressive rock band, and they just released a dvd/2cd set called, “Live in the UK.” In studio or live, Celestial Fire exhibits high-level musicianship and intricate songwriting. Celestial Fire is… Dave Bainbridge (guitars, keyboards, bouzouki, …

T-Bone to Chuck to Keith to…

  Chuck Berry passed away March 18, 2017. He was 90 years old. Art is a stream that flows from one generation to the next. It’s up to every artist to get their words, music, painting, film into that stream. For T-Bone Walker, it was Call it Stormy Monday, (but …

8 Great Reads on Christians and the Arts (Part 1)

A little encouragement goes a long way. There are many Christian writers who have wrestled with what it means to be an artist not only in a secular culture, but also in a church culture that hasn’t always supported them or their creativity. Here’s part one of 8 great reads …

8 Great Reads on Christians and the Arts (Part 2)

In part 1, we shared four books that dig into what it means to be an artist not only in a secular culture, but also in a modern church culture that hasn’t always supported arts or artists. Here’s part two of 8 great reads on Christians and the arts…   …

Top 5 Cover Song Interpretations

Cover songs are often musically similar to the originals. However, every now and then, an artist or band will completely reinterpret a song, and take it to a place the songwriter never dreamed of. It’s not that the cover is better. Quite often, both the original and the cover stand …

Chord Progressions, Melodies, and Mountains

Melodies are what make songs pop. Melodies give life and vibrancy. Melody makes music memorable. This could be seen as bad news for chord progressions. Melody (and its intimate friend harmony) are the glitz and glamour of song-writing. Chord progressions, though, should not be taken for granted. They form the structure …

Expressions and Intentions of the Creator

In his book, The Holy Spirit, Sinclair B. Ferguson shares this gem about the work of the Spirit in re-ordering and beautifying God’s creation, and the Spirit’s prompting of this work through God’s people… “In pursuing his purposes among his called-out people, God’s Spirit also granted gifts of design and …

Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 1 of 3)

Steve Turner combines an artist’s passion with a journalist’s curiosity. His published poetry includes Tonight We Will Fake Love, Nice and Nasty, Up To Date, The King of Twist and Poems. His poetry collections, published for children, include The Day I Fell Down The Toilet, Dad, You’re Not Funny, The …

Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 2 of 3)

In part 2 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses influences, exposure to art, and Hans Rookmaaker’s take on The Who. ON ARTISTS THAT INFLUENCE AND INSPIRE HIM Jim Wall Coaching (JWC): Just to go off in a different direction. Which artists fascinate you and why?” …

Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 3 of 3)

In part 3 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses interview techniques, being a detective, and his upcoming book on culture. INTERVIEWING INFLUENTIAL SINGERS AND MUSICIANS Jim Wall Creativity (JWC): If I could go a little bit into how you go about your particular profession. I’m …

Scarecrow, by Connell Patrick Byrne

  Connell is a visionary artist. This painting, Scarecrow, is acrylic on canvas, 11×46. Here are Connell’s thoughts on this painting… “Discarded scarecrow hung on heavy timber, regaled in wind-torn garment and crimson shawl. A pork-pie crown to mock the king. The dried-up crop of human bondage hemmed in by a thick black …

Portia Wayne’s Power of Words

Dr. Portia Wayne is multi-dimensional and fascinating individual, with a laser focus on the value of reading and writing. In addition to authoring several books, Dr. Wayne founded and leads a non-profit to encourage literacy in homes and communities. In this interview, Dr. Wayne discusses children’s books, her novel, and …

Carole Townsend: Witty, Wise, Wonderful

Carole Townsend transitioned from a successfull marketing career to a full-time writer at the age of 40. She is a columnist and correspondent for the Gwinnett Citizen newspaper in Georgia, where she writes a weekly (Not So) Common Sense column, and reports on the the good news that happens in …

Frannie Watson Finds Her Voice

Author of several books, Frannie Watson was born and raised in Atlanta, GA, where she still resides with her husband, Doug, and dog, Sally. In this interview, Frannie shares about suspense and mystery, her writing process, and overcoming a potentially debilitating learning disability. Jim Wall Creativity (JWC): You’ve worked in …

Chuck Holmes Has Stories to Tell

Clear, humorous, factual, interesting, engaging. Those descriptions came to mind as I got to know Chuck Holmes. But those aren’t quite enough. In the best of ways, Chuck truly is a vendor or words (as Augustine and Malcolm Muggeridge described themselves.) Chuck says he has made his living “putting one …