The winner of the Living Offerings, Living Temples contest is Mark Montoya, Polyurethane Tessellation Artist!  Mark's work is unlike anything I've seen, it is truly captivating and unique.
 
SBE:  Congratulations Mark! When did you become interested in visual art? How and where did you receive your education/training in art and this unique art form?
 
MM:  Thank you for selecting me as your winner.  I appreciate the honor. Being an artist is the first thing that I ever said that I wanted to be, probably around 4 or 5 years old.  I first started working with the polyurethane resins when I was working on a business related project while in engineering graduate school.  Once I learned the basics of handling and processing the material, I created the specific art processes on my own.
 

Sol, 55 piece cast polyurethane tessellation, approx. 30" diameter, copyright 2012 Mark Montoya
 
SBE: Tell us a little about these pieces.
 
MM: These pieces represent aspects of Father's divine creation. When I started creating these tessellations I was doing it with square/rectangular grid patterns. While the results were good, as I did more work I decided to try out some hexagonal grid patterns. These patterns definitely inspired me more and I think that there are multiple reasons why. The hex grid is much more natural than a square grid. Squares really don't happen much naturally. They aren't very strong structurally and I think they limit human imagination and attachment to the natural environment that we were created to live in bodily. Hex patterns are found in molecules. They are triangular and strong. They make the creation of fractal patterns much easier which makes sense in that I believe that His universe is fractal in its nature, and that the more we understand this the more and better that we can understand Him and His creation. The patterns are consistent in everything and repeat on all scales from the subatomic to the universal. This is the pattern of the Star of David, the pattern of His universe and of His strength.
 
Sol is simply an abstract representation of our sun. Sol, is one of the accepted names of the heart of our solar system. The solar system scale of creation is massive compared to our planet, but tiny compared to the galaxy. Galaxy 960 is an abstract image of the next higher level of pattern and order in His creation.

 
SBE:  Where do your concepts come from? Are there any you'd like to explore which you haven't yet?
 
MM:  I would say that most of my concepts seem to come from somewhere else outside of me, which I would have to attribute to inspiration from the Holy Spirit in that most concepts just come easily and often instantaneously. Truly, one of the biggest challenges is getting as close as I can to the images that I see in my mind. Everything always looks better in my mind than in the final outcome. I have had to learn to accept what I imperfectly create compared to the near perfect images in my mind so as to not be too hard on myself.  I have too many ideas to count that I haven't explored.
 
 
SBE:  To you, what is the connection between art and faith?
 
MM:  I see art as a direct result of being created in Father's image. He is the ultimate creator, and our creator, and if we were created in His image then we are creators too. And we can be creators of many different things in our lives artwork being just one. In Father's way and timing, this work all predates my study of Torah, but is still relevant in that it was based on His creation, His universe.
 

Spiral Galaxy 960, 960 piece cast polyurethane tessellation suspended in copper frame, approx. 30" diameter, Copyright 2012 Mark Montoya
 
SBE:  How would you like to see art shared for God's glory?
 
MM:  I would like to see the various hidden/lost/forgotten/undeveloped talents in people come forth and shine. I think often the harsh realities of life beat the wonderful gifts out of individuals and much potential is lost. When a person can operate in their gifts, everything becomes easier, life flows better, faith becomes easier, I think, because life just makes more sense and feels better.
 
 
SBE:  What encouragement would you give other artists of faith?
 
MM: I would encourage artists of faith to really have faith in the visions and your God given ability to make the visions a reality. If you weren't capable of making an artistic vision a reality, would He have given you the vision? I would also encourage artists to push the boundaries in your art. Do things that you haven't seen other artists do before. Create techniques, create new media, create a unique artistic experience for others to share!
 
SBE: Thanks for your participation and your time, Mark. May God continue to richly bless you.
 
If you would like to reach Mark, his email is
 

coloradomonty(remove spaces) @ gmail .com

Hello Creatives!
Living Offerings, Living Temples
Deadline January 15, 2012
 
I'd like to use more creative expressions for the site and need some submissions which reflect the latest series of posts on cleaning out and rededicating our temple, as well as how we become living offerings.
 
You may enter photographs, drawings, paintings, photos of three-dimensional work like ceramics, textiles, or clothing designs, as well as video of dance, songs, poetry, comedy, etc. 
 
Selected submissions will be featured on the site and the winner will be interviewed. Please submit a contact form with your email so we can send you the email address to use. 3 clip/image limit per artist. Only medium size jpgs and short play mp3's or videos (under three minutes), please
 
Thanks and bless you!

What is your  biggest blessing as a creative person? How about your biggest struggle?

Here is a thought-provoking article on sensory art from a Jewish (Hebraic) perspective. I thought it may spark some great discussion.
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/Judaism/Article.aspx?id=197685

 
Welcome to Tapestry! Share a little about your spiritual journey, write a thought or two or tell us about your craft if you are an artist. Encourage and be encouraged, hope or dream. Make some new friends and maybe reconnect with people you know. Here are some questions to get you started. (Comments will be approved to prevent unwanted marketing posts.)
 
Who are your favorite artists?
What type of music and experiences help you draw close to God?
How do you best express yourself?
 

The following quotes are so meaty that I will divide this chapter up into a few posts to allow for comments on each group. Pick your favorite to discuss or just mull it over..

 
“...even when we one denies God, to serve music, or painting, or words is a religious activity, whether or not the conscious mind is willing to accept that fact...all true art is incarnational, and therfore 'religious'”. (p. 25)
 
“...a God who allows no pain, no grief, also allows no choice.” (p.25)
 
“We human beings have been given the terrible gift of free will, and this ability to make choices, to help write our own story, even when we make the wrong choices, abusing our freedom and the freedom of others.” (p.26)
 
“...to serve any discipline of art...is to affirm meaning, despite all the ambiuguities and tragedies and misunderstanding which surround us.” (p.27)
 

“It is impossible for an artist to attempt a graphic reproduction of Jesus in any way that is meant to be literal.” (p.28)
 
About the widow who gave the mite: “Her poverty was rich because all she had belonged to the living Lord.” (p.31)
 
 
 

Chapter One: Cosmos from Chaos
 
"It is a frightening thing to open oneself to the strange and dark side of the divine; it means letting go our sane self-control, that control which gives us the illusion of safety. But safety is only an illusion, and letting go is part of listening to the silence, and to the Spirit." (p.15)
 
This is the first quote from L'Engle's book, Walking on Water that begs me to stop and let my eyes perceive each word to savor each one more thoroughly. This book is one of the classic, revered tomes on faith and creativity that, along with other such works as Art and the Bible by Francis Schaeffer, has been quoted from and referred to by hundreds if not thousands of Christians in the arts. Many of them view it as not simply a handbook and source of inspiration, but a invigorating validation and encouragement of their potential as well as their craft. It is truly a joy to now be able to share reviews on each delicious chapter and hopefully read some of your comments on each.
 
She writes that her thoughts about art and her thoughts about the Creator are inseparable. (p.16) The depth and complexity of the thought left me momentarily perplexed. It will take me a few days to let it rattle around inside my cranium and settle, much like a ball in a pinball game or roulette wheel. Do you feel the same way? Why or why not? How about her comment on Leonard Bernstein's thoughts when she writes, “And it is true not only of music; all art is cosmos, cosmos found within chaos.” (p.16) She goes on to write that some modern art forms are a result of the artist only reproducing chaos instead of discovering cosmos. Do you agree or disagree with this thought? Feel free to comment about her subsequent feeling: “As far as I can see, the reproduction of chaos is neither art, nor is it Christian.” (p.16)
 
What do you think about the artist being what she terms, “a birth giver” in that it is an act of obedience to serve the work and bring it to life just as Mary was willing to carry out the will of God as the mother of Jesus? (p.18) While in some ways, the two are inconceivably different, there is a weighty reality to the responsibility our calling as artists places on us. How does this make you feel about your art?
 
Along with “enfleshing” the work, L'Engle stresses that the job of the artist is to serve the work. (p.23) I love that she writes that she has never been able to serve a work as it ought to be served, as if there is a higher, almost unattainable standard to it. (p.23) “When the artist is truly the servant of the work, the work is better than the artist...When the work takes over, then the artist listens.” She does add that this takes work. “Until I have worked through self, I will not be enabled to get out of the way.” (p.24) My own experience testifies to this truth, though many a time, I walk to the altar with the offering of my own will, only to be amazed by the fire of inspiration that God sends down as “the things of man” are consumed. The resulting piece is refined by this Holy creative fire and the result? Beyond any human effort or expectation.
 
Yes, Lord, let me be wiling to serve the work you call me to enflesh, rather than serve the empty shell of self.
 
Please feel free to share thoughts or a prayer about any of the above.
 
 

At this time of pressing circumstances, it is hard to even think about simplifying. It may not be an option. Yet it is so vital to streamline in order to survive. As a creative person, it is crucial to cling to our faith and art amidst a swirling vortex of demands, information overload and clutter. We are officially the most over-informed and communication saturated generation yet, so it is no wonder our creative time is ever-decreasing. In chapter seven, Janice Elsheimer gave us insight and advice about reclaiming our time as artists. While the book was written some time ago, the next chapter still offers valuable guidance on simplifying which may be more important than ever before if we are to keep our spiritual sanity and guard our craft.
 

 
While the verse she quotes seems like a ridiculous suggestion at this time in our history as a nation and world, the Truth of Scripture is ageless and always applicable. “Jesus taught us that, in order to have an authentic relationship with our Creator, we must trust God and not get caught up in the worries and busyness of life.” She is alluding to Luke:22, of course, as it was uttered by our Lord Jesus in simpler, yet not dissimilar times.(p.140)

 
Since the book was written, the majority of Amaricans have gotten into thousands of dollars in debt, many out of necessity. Yet there is still some truth to how she cuts to the chase with, “We need to step off the materialism treadmill and start trusting God to meet our needs.” Indeed, many of us don't just need our deisres satisfied, we need to return to a deep place of faith which informs our every-day mindset. Many need miracles in this economy and so their thoughts finally turn back to Him as the Giver of all good things. If at all possible, she encourages us to simplify by making life less complicated and focus on what brings greater meaning as well as stepping out of fear into faith. (p.141) Many people are living on just that right now. This is where faith hits the road...hard. It either stands up to the impact or crumbles. It makes me think of a commercial, "Got Faith?" We certainly need it right now. Perhaps that is the reason we are in this situation.

 
Much of what we consider necessity isn't. All those channels. Three types of sports for our children. Our daily latte. Six social media sites that take up our free time. There are usually things we can cut from our lives that will streamline and bring simplicity. Then relief. Then peace. The result is more time or money for the truly necessary and meaningful. “We need to selectively prune away the things in our lives that are not life-giving.” (p. 143) One practice Elsheimer empasizes is honesty. (p.146)  With a gentle yet firm honesty under the Holy Spirit's direction, we can avoid many pitalls that consume our time and energy against our wishes. God sometimes uses difficulty to draw us back to Him and so it is wise to respond to His call. As a creative, you are probably feeling the brunt of this economy acutely, whether you have followed Him closely lately or not, so this is even more important now. We must keep some space in our lives for meaningful communion with Him. “When we confess our sin, either in prayer or writing, we clear the air and reopen the lines of communion between His Spirit and us.” (p.148) The subsequent pages offer very helpful information as far as the financial aspects of an artist's life and sound advice for these difficult times. Creatives often struggle with this area, so Elsheimer's observations and helpful guidelines are a practical, timely help.

I hope you have enjoyed our journey through The Creative Call and taken away much. I encourage you to continue your Day Book and flip back in it often to see how the Faithful Creator has walked with you, leading you gently by the hand into greater creativity and faith.
The conclusion and appendices offer yet more insights and tips and are highly recommended. Thank you to the author for her wonderfully written resource. It has and will continue to be a valuable one in my library and for many others as well.

 
Our next book will be Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water: Reflections of Art and Faith. It will begin on January 11^th with the first chapter. I hope you will join us!

 
Time.

 
You must reclaim time to be creative if your art is to develop.

 
While Elsheimer agrees from the start that finding time for art is the battle of most creatives, she leaves little room for excuses. She challenges us to really examine our schedules, to prune away the unnecessary, the pointless and the meaningless to make room for a thriving relationship with our art form. (p.108-9) “To be an artist we have to integrate the spontaneity of the child with the disciplined mind of the adult.” (p.109) I love that. In essence, we must make time to play. We must put distractions out to pasture for a few hours each week and show up to play with focus. She goes on to explore the how divergent thinkers or those who shift from one thing to another quite easily, can actually benefit from doing so. I suppose then, the issue is to include shifting time into the process if this is your approach or tendency. Elsheimer quotes author of Time Management for Unmanageable People, Anne McGee-Cooper with the statement, “What seems like a disorganized, misdirected waste of time to the linear convergent person may be a divergent way of keeping the work going while we are waiting for our brain to produce the insights we need”. This choice allows for built-in breaks. While it works for me to a degree, I can easily go from break back to distraction.

 
I enjoyed the quiz on time management on page 112 and found the time resolutions on page 116 to be a much-needed structure help (they may end up on my studio cork board). I decided on but have yet to implement the use of my phone alarms as an aid to this goal. Studio appointment hours = no chatting on said phone. I must need a Discipline App. She recommends treating this appointment as we would one with a cherished friend or clock time on a job. (p.118) Since I am self-employed, the former is more effective for me. My studio now has the same fun elements as a date with a friend: tea, healthy snacks and a cheerful, energizing atmosphere. Now I want to show up and get to work. It is a welcome change from a dark, cluttered storage area.
 
What changes can you make to your art space to create an inspiring, inviting atmosphere?

 
Her analysis on our culture of multitasking was right on. (p.120-121) I myself am a recovering multitasker who realized chaotic isn't always productive. It brings the freedom of focus. She also gives practical tips on how to tame the technological threats to our creative time. (p128-134)

 
By far the most helpful nugget I took away from this chapter is that, “When we find the time to engage in our art, we engage in a kind of ministry.” Not only does God use His Spirit to infuse our work, but He also ministers to us as we collaborate with Him which then produces what will minister to others. She goes on to write that, “Making time for the Spirit of God to work through the talents he has given us is creating a a kind of prayer time. In those minutes, or hours, we give back to God some of what he has given us: attention, time and talent. We offer him the new spaces we create in our lives so that he can speak to us, inspire us, and answer our prayer that we learn how to follow his creative call.” In doing so, she says we work with the expectation that what we give back to the world will be something that, as Madeleine L”Engle writes, will “draw people to Christ by...showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."
 
So making time for God to minister to us as we prepare something which will minister to the world takes on a much deeper meaning and its importance demands a schedule to that effect.