I'd like a traditional prayer kneeler

I'd like a a traditional prayer kneeler... for an art project. Do you have one at your church that is damaged or otherwise unwanted. I'd like to turn it into an art piece for my church's To Send a Prayer art exhibit in Sept. Which means it would get painted and stuff, so I cant give it back in its original condition. I would prefer it donated to me, but i could purchase if needed.

New Prayer Journal Blog

Inspired by one of those "hey, we should do this" remarks by a friend, I went out and bought a journal. http://www.lookatbook.com/ I agreed that it looked like a lot of fun and would be inspiring to collaborate with other artists. Especially those artists that we might have met and spoken to online but never in person. It just sounded fun.

We settled on the following a few rules for structure.

1. 5 days to complete a spread. So if you receive it on Weds., you have to mail it the following Mon.
2. A visual expression of a prayer or scripture.
3. Medium: pen, ink, graphite, colored pencil.
4. Keep it moving. Finished or not you need to mail in 5 days.

Keep up with the project here: http://2sendaprayer.blogspot.com/
Would you like to be added to the mailing list and add your doodle? Send your mailing address to me at richard.fudge@gmail.com .

Call to Artists - The Spirit of Growth

Event description:
The Spirit of Growth Art Show sponsored by CrossRoad Church will explore the topic of spiritual growth. Every Christ follower has been on a changing path of spiritual growth during their journey of faith. The hope for this art show is that people from a variety of backgrounds and life situations would depict some aspect of their spiritual development so that others would be able to view, learn and grow closer to Christ through it.

Timeline:
Deadline for submissions: Friday, July 3rd
Selection and artist notification: Monday July 6th
Installation: Wednesday July 8th
Opening: Friday, July 10th
Closing: Friday August 14th

Artwork:
The New Creation Gallery will be accepting submissions of original artworks from artists in two themes; 1.) pieces that explore a verse or passage of scripture and how that pertains to spiritual growth, 2.) pieces that express experiences of spiritual growth from your own experience. Artwork can be two or three-dimensional. Artwork must be ready for installation on Wednesday July 8th. This means that your work must be ready to be displayed (two-dimensional pieces must have wires on the back for hanging).

Instructions:
Digital submissions are preferred. Digital submissions are to be formatted as .jpg at 300 dpi and no larger than 5”x7”. Mailed submissions are to include a CD of digital images of the artwork. Please include your name, phone number, email address, artwork title, medium, dimensions, and date completed with all submissions. Do not send originals. Submissions will not be returned. Multiple submissions accepted, limit five.

Pricing:
We hope that you would decide to showcase your art for people to purchase. Buyers will be able to pick up their purchased works after August 14th by contacting Erin Fudge 901-619-8300, erin@onthecrossroad.com. We ask the participating artists to donate 20% of their profit back to the New Creation Gallery to help us fund the missions we do.


Send to:
Erin Fudge, 2270 Hwy 51 S. Hernando, MS 38632 or erin@onthecrossroad.com

new personal best - painting at 12 services

In an effort to help Resurrection Catholic Church begin its own arts ministry, I volunteered to act as a consultant and resident artist. I began painting there on April 5th, Palm Sunday, and have missed only a couple of Sundays since. I put the count at 12 times that I've painted during the mass there. During that time I completed 9 pieces. Needless to say, I'm a little tired and need a rest. Anyone want a turn at Resurrection?

Art Studio Renovations

I love shopping at antique stores. Oh the cool old things you can find! I dont know what this was originally - a large card catalog, storage cabinet? All I know is it can hold art supplies really well and looks super cool. Fellow artists who love antiques, eat your heart out.

Painting in the Park @ Shelby Farms Park

Painting in the Park @ Shelby Farms Park
A Stirring Artists Gathering
Sat. June 13 3p-4:30p

All are welcome to join the Stirring Artists group as we gather for some painting in the park. Bring your sketchbook, canvas, etc. and join us for some fellowship and art making in God's creation. Artistic talent not required. You could bring crayons and doodle for all i care. If music is more your thing, bring your guitar, etc and start a jam session. We'll be parking and painting in near the parking lot between the Visitor's Center and Patriot Lake.

Art Installation for Pentecost

So what can happen when you let loose a small group of artists in your church. They burn the place down! Well, metaphorically at least. What a cool installation for illustrating Acts 2:1-4

"On the day of Pentecost all the Lord’s followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there."

Above is an art installation from Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN.

A Dangerous Reading List

So you might wonder, where is all this creative energy coming from lately, Fudge? It's from this reading list. I have a tendency to read more than one non-fiction book at a time. I've been reading these three lately. I just finished Holy Discontent and I'm about finished with the other 2. Very inspiring and motivating. Read with caution.

48 Days to the Work You Love

by Dan Miller (Author), Dave Ramsey (Foreword) Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision by Bill Hybels (Author) Art & Fear: Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles (Author), Ted Orland (Author)

Blessed - a funny observation

So I just wanted to share a personal story about our plans vs God's plans. Last year, I worked really hard to get art shows in coffee shops and the like around town. I had my art at Java Cabanna, Starbucks, Energy Fitness, and Republic Coffee. Between the 4 shows, my art was on display for a total of about 6 months around town (each show was up for about 2 months). You'd think that would have been beneficial to me - more art sales, more connections, meet other artists, etc. Nope. I sold one painting during all those shows. That's not a good return on my investment of time and energy. Especially when you consider that I sold 3 paintings at The Stirring during that time.

It was very disappointing. Not that I was hoping to sell a lot of work, but I thought I might sell like 3. Also, my wish to network and promote the Stirring didn't turn out very well either. I was hoping that the my art openings and my artist statement would spark interest in The Stirring. I cant say it did.

After the 2008 November art show featuring Deeann, I realized that it was much more rewarding to focus on the Stirring and its art gallery. We drew in a lot of people who had never been to The Stirring before.

So this year, I've mainly focused on writing this blog about art and worship, having artists gatherings, hanging group shows in the gallery, and painting live at churches. How's that been going you ask? Awesome! The Stirring got a nice write up in the Commercial Appeal. I'm connecting with more artists and churches. And the real kicker... I've sold 6 paintings SO FAR, and I dont feel like I'm even really trying hard. What i need to be working harder on is finishing more paintings. I'm just painting and hanging at church - no special openings, coffee shops, etc. It's amazing. Instead of me trying to sell my paintings, my paintings are selling themselves. I'm so thankful, so encouraged, and so excited. You know God really does take care of things when you let him.

Needless to say, dont expect me to have any art openings at coffee shops, etc any time soon.