More art ministries in Memphis churches

Momentum @ Lifelink Church, 1015 S Cooper St, Memphis, TN

We are a group of artists including painters, photographers, sculptors and dancers in the Lifelink church community. Our goal is to encourage and inspire each other in our artistic endeavors, personally, spiritually and professionally. We do this by creating avenues to showcase our work, forums to discuss and opportunities to view other artists on display. Saturday workdays are offered periodically for those who want to meet at the church to work on their art with other artists.

Sounds really interesting. They are definitely located in a very arts rich area of town. I'd think that they have a very high number of artists in attendance. I wonder what sort of things they are planning for this group. There are very few details listed on their web site. I might have to check them out one Sunday morning. It would be cool to hear what another art ministry is doing.

Art night at the Cove? Figure drawing in a bar?

So we're all use to art in coffee shops... art openings, galleries, gatherings, etc. Seems like a natural fit by now. Then the other day I was at Otherlands Coffee bar and I saw numerous flyers for Art Night at the Cove. So every Thursday night from 9:30pm to 12:30am for a $3 cover they are going to have live models and drink discounts. Huh. I might have to check that out.

Seems like an unlikely location for drawing - small space, low lighting, etc. But then I think of the P&H Cafe as an unlikely place to have a gallery (actually Dwayne Butcher refers to it as The P and H Center for the Arts). P&H has been doing these art openings on the first Friday of every month since Jan 2005. They pack the place out during these art openings, and its more difficult to get selected to show there than at most of the area coffee shops.

Call to Artists - To Send a Prayer sermon series and art exhibit

to send a prayer
2009 Stirring Art Weekend - Sept. 27


Call to Artists

Event description:
The Stirring is planning a sermon series and art exhibit that will focus on prayer. The idea was inspired by a play I saw in November 2008 at the University of Memphis. In the play Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl, the dead characters in the Underworld try to send letters to characters still living in the “upper world.” To help illustrate the difficulty, the stage had about two dozen mailboxes on long, slightly curved poles, approximately 15-20 feet high. It was impossible to reach the mailboxes.

The whole concept of how to send a letter above and how to receive one from below was very spiritual to me. These mailboxes on the set looked like something you might find in a Dr. Seuss book. What would a child’s perspective be on how his or her prayers reach God? How might a child imagine solutions to this problem?

It is my prayer that this exhibit will touch lives and speak to the hearts of the viewers, leading us all on the journey toward a more authentic, personal, and powerful prayer life. Our special guest artist, Arian Armstrong, and I plan to complete 15-25 paintings a piece on this theme. Because the works will be small to medium in size, the gallery will still need more work to be filled. Therefore, I encourage the local artist community to submit work for this special art show. –– Richard Fudge, Senior Artist and Gallery Manager


Timeline:
Deadline for submissions: Friday, August 28th
Selection and artist notification: Friday, September 11th
Installation: Saturday, September 26th
Opening: Sunday, September 27th 5:25pm

Artwork:
The Stirring Art Gallery will be accepting submissions of original artworks from artists in two themes; 1.) pieces that explore a child’s perspective on prayer, 2.) small works (i.e. 9"x12", 12”x12” ) that are artistic expressions of a prayer and should include a word or phrase. Artwork must be ready for installation on Saturday September 26th.

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.

Send to:
richard.fudge@gmail.com or The Stirring, c/o Hope Church, 8500 Walnut Grove Rd, Cordova, TN 38018

"Release" - by Richard Fudge for Art of Caring 2009

The deadline for Art of Caring 2009 is quickly approaching, and I need to finish up my painting. 

This is the prayer that I painted on the canvas before beginning. 

This year sounds like its going to be the best one yet. The Perry Nicole Fine Art galley and art curator Jana Travis are going to host the event. I think there is some other new things this year as well, but I cant locate any details at this time.

I'm hoping that I'll get to hang with all the cool artists this time. The professional artists and the featured "Memphis Masters" get to hang in the Perry Nicole gallery. Everyone else gets set up on tables and easels in the walkway of the mall (not so cool). The last two years, I've been in the walkway which is fine. I'm not a professional, in a bunch of galleries, $1000+ a painting, sort of artist... yet. 

This year I'm hoping to make the cut. First, I'm going BIG. No more 16"x20" paintings. I am donating a 24"x48" sucker. That's something I'd probably price at $600-700 (Possibly higher. People love this image). But being big is not the only advantage, it's in perfect tune with the Camp Good Grief message and experience. This painting is going to grab your heart strings with both hands if you have ever been involved with the camp. I'm so excited about sharing this with others and raising money for the camp.

Here we are at about 80% complete.

Jay said, "Man! This is so cool! Richard, that your picture does what words are inadequate to do, in explaining camp, its awesome!"

Please join Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation for

Art of Caring 2009 

A reception and silent art auction to benefit 

Baptist Trinity Hospice House and

The Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief

Sat. August 22nd from 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Chickasaw Village Oaks Mall 3092 Poplar Ave

my ever growing booklist

There are way too many books on my "to read" list. I don't even know where to start, but I know that I want my next read to be a book on art and worship.

It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God

by Ned Bustard (Editor)

Refractions: A Journey of Faith, Art, and Culture

by Makoto Fujimura (Author), Tim Keller (Foreword)

Art for God's Sake: A Call to Recover the Arts

by Philip Graham Ryken (Author)

This one is not an art and worship one but I love Don Miller's books.

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life

by Donald Miller (Author)

Virgin Mary and Christ Child - live painting

"The Virgin Mary and Christ" -- by Richard Fudge 2009
Painted live at Resurrection Catholic Church in Memphis, TN

I got quite a few questions regarding the faces. "Is the painting done?" Was the primary question. Yes, the painting is finished. I purposely made the faces blank. First, we dont know how Mary looked exactly. Second, I think its important that the view be allowed to project the faces and features of this piece. Each of us will have a different picture in our mind of Mary. Also, if the faces are blank, it allows the painting to have more expression. You can see what you need to see. Do you need comfort? Then maybe her expression is compassionate to you.