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I love introducing NOTAN to my student artists. It is a Japanese word which means "dark-light." The idea behind NOTAN is the interaction and play between a positive and a negative space. I find it intriguing, because sometimes without knowing, the process of cutting creates a something magical and the play between the dark and light can create balance and a wonderful visual piece.
In creation, God separated the dark from the light, not with scissors. paper, and glue like when we create a Notan design, but with His spoken Word. In Genesis 1:1-5 we read: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
God saw that our world needed a balance of dark and light to make our days. A balance that would set order to our world that He created for us. Our creator then goes on to create other wonderful parts of creation throughout His six day plan of design for the world. We are fortunate enough to be able to look around and see the care He took to create the sun and moon, mountains and river, giraffes and porpoises, even you and me. This same God who took time to make a ladybug polka dotted, and a lemon sour enough to make us pucker, takes time everyday to give us His Light to lead our way, and the dark of night to find time for rest to refresh our bodies.
Light. Dark. Balance. All three are found in a great piece of art, but they are also found in our lives as Christians who follow the One who spoke into existence light, as He separated it from the darkness. In Christ we find the Light and are told to share it in our dark, sinful world. Are you ready?
Prayer: God give us strength and willingness to share your light with others, so that they may see your goodness and feel the love you have for all of your creation in this dark, sin-filled world. Amen.
In creation, God separated the dark from the light, not with scissors. paper, and glue like when we create a Notan design, but with His spoken Word. In Genesis 1:1-5 we read: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
God saw that our world needed a balance of dark and light to make our days. A balance that would set order to our world that He created for us. Our creator then goes on to create other wonderful parts of creation throughout His six day plan of design for the world. We are fortunate enough to be able to look around and see the care He took to create the sun and moon, mountains and river, giraffes and porpoises, even you and me. This same God who took time to make a ladybug polka dotted, and a lemon sour enough to make us pucker, takes time everyday to give us His Light to lead our way, and the dark of night to find time for rest to refresh our bodies.
Light. Dark. Balance. All three are found in a great piece of art, but they are also found in our lives as Christians who follow the One who spoke into existence light, as He separated it from the darkness. In Christ we find the Light and are told to share it in our dark, sinful world. Are you ready?
Prayer: God give us strength and willingness to share your light with others, so that they may see your goodness and feel the love you have for all of your creation in this dark, sin-filled world. Amen.
Joan Miro, a Spanish artist, and contemporary of, Calder and Picasso, has a unique way of getting us to jump into a piece of work, to examine all that it holds. He did several paintings in his constellation series, the middle one pictured here is titled " The Morning Star." As we look at just a few of these paintings created between 1939 - 1941, during WWII, we can see the familiar stars, moons, and planet-like orbs.
It's a lot like looking up at the sky on a clear night. We notice stars, that create constellations and can locate the Big Dipper, or Orion's Belt. In the early morning you can even find Venus, the "morning star," if you're up early enough, and looking toward the east. The planet Venus, outshines others and stands out; it doesn't just twinkle, but it has a silvery glow.
When Venus rises, we know the sun follows in a short time. In the Bible we read in Revelation 22:16b, Jesus saying, "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” In Jesus we find our hope, our light, who promised to rise again, and kept His promise. For God had a plan and the SON followed.
John 1:3-5 says, "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jesus is the light that shines, the Morning Star, that has overcome sin, death, and the devil.
So next time you're up early look to the horizon in the east. Check to see if you see Venus, the morning star, and remember the Light of your life, Jesus.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the light you sent into the world in the moon, and the stars you created, but most especially thank you for the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Morning Star. Help us to look to him to guide our ways and light our path as we grow in You. Amen.
It's a lot like looking up at the sky on a clear night. We notice stars, that create constellations and can locate the Big Dipper, or Orion's Belt. In the early morning you can even find Venus, the "morning star," if you're up early enough, and looking toward the east. The planet Venus, outshines others and stands out; it doesn't just twinkle, but it has a silvery glow.
When Venus rises, we know the sun follows in a short time. In the Bible we read in Revelation 22:16b, Jesus saying, "I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” In Jesus we find our hope, our light, who promised to rise again, and kept His promise. For God had a plan and the SON followed.
John 1:3-5 says, "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jesus is the light that shines, the Morning Star, that has overcome sin, death, and the devil.
So next time you're up early look to the horizon in the east. Check to see if you see Venus, the morning star, and remember the Light of your life, Jesus.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for the light you sent into the world in the moon, and the stars you created, but most especially thank you for the light of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Morning Star. Help us to look to him to guide our ways and light our path as we grow in You. Amen.
The other day I was reading about artist Jasper Johns, and exploring the possibilities of a student project inspired by this man who is often known for the flags, numbers, and target imagery found in his work. I, then, happened upon some images that I was unfamiliar with. These were made when Jasper Johns put oil on his face and hands and pressed them onto a surface, sprinkling charcoal over it, to reveal his own image. I immediately had a couple thoughts pop into my head: 1) art imitating life, and 2) Gen. 1:27 — God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. For centuries artists have painted, sculpted, and created images of themselves for us to admire and emulate. We look at these artworks as incredible creations, made in a personal style and method, unique to the artist, that give us a glimpse into the life of its maker. Yet, the artist, creator, and Maker of each of us was the first sculptor to share his exquisite handiwork during the sixth day of creation. In His mind-boggling expression of love and unusual mediums: dust, breath, rib, and sleep; He created us, male and female - in HIS image. And here’s where I get to the “art imitates life,” connection. The creative work of God, was inspired by true events; based on a true life story — a story that we became a part of as He breathed life into the art of His own MASTERpiece, during creation. Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you and praise you for your handiwork, and attention to all the details of creation. Your life-giving breath to Adam and Eve continues through us, and we pray that we may be mini-masterpieces, others look at to see the life, love and forgiveness your presence in us may show, through the medium of you. Amen.
Here are a few examples of nativity paintings from different cultures. Jesus Christ was born for all people. In the art of different cultures, we see how they each depict Jesus coming to them. The nativity we "picture" in our heads is often one from Italian or classical art influences - but throughout the world, the art of Christ's birth shows us He was born to be the Savior of all people. His birth is integral to all of us, and quite possibly the biggest event in the world's history that has personally affected each of our lives.
"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 10-11
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in your kindness and generosity, we have been given the best gift ever - a Savior. We celebrate his birth, and praise you for giving us sinners, a gift that changes our lives. We pray that as we celebrate this special birthday - we focus on your unending love that has come into the world by the birth of your Son. Gratefully we kneel at the manger, and say sing with the angels, "Glory to God in the highest." Amen.
Suzanne Valadon was born and raised in Paris, France and by the age of ten, was working to support herself and her mother with odd jobs she could do. She was a waitress, nanny, even a trapeze artist with a circus - but after a fall, her life took a different direction. After, she became a model for some of the most recognized painters know in the art world, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, and Degas were just a few. Yet, while she modeled she was learning from the best. She learned how to mix colors, the process taking subject matter from a sketch to final painting, and using her meager earnings to buy art supplies. During her time modeling she absorbed the art she was highlighted in, all the while wanting and waiting to become not just the subject of other's art, but the maker of her own art and a destiny that would cause her to be remembered in history as the first female to have her own solo exhibition around 1910 in France.
Art created by the masters throughout history is admired by millions each and every year. People study, marvel, and wonder about the artists and their art and the subject matter of their paintings. We, too, are subjects of a Master artist. We have each been - conformed to His image and likeness, crucified with Christ. It is no longer I [we] who live but Christ who lives in me [us]. And the life I [we] now live in the flesh I [we] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me [us] and gave himself for me [us]. (Galations 2:20)
As living masterpieces, created in His image, we have the blessed opportunity to luminate the darkness or our world, and bring the hope and clarity of God's creative work into view through our lives. The priceless collection, of His created, which you and I are a part of, is recognizable because the Master artist has set us apart. We are marked with his signature on our hearts at baptism.
--- The art work above: a painting by Renoir with Valadon as the woman model, a portrait by Toulouse-Lautrec of Valadon, and a self portrait of artist Valadon. ---
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