tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74981762848196757452024-02-20T01:21:18.389-08:00Artist's Work B.e.n.c.h.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-45267876227726961902009-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:002009-09-05T14:08:38.617-07:00September 2009 Artists Work B.e.n.c.h.Welcome to the e-magazine/blog for Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h., the Inland Empire's Christian fine arts organization! We hope you will find this to be a useful, enjoyable and worthwhile resource.<br /><br />Here are the newest items in the Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h. blog. Just click on the titles to go to the articles:<br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/fine-arts-bible-study-11-excellence.html">Fine Arts Bible Study 11- In pursuit of Excellence</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/master-class-vocal-warmups-or-what-to.html">Master Class-Vocal Warmups (Or, What to Do in the Car Before Rehearsal)</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/happenings-for-september-2009.html">Happenings for September, 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/cafe-for-september.html">The Cafe for September</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/songwriters-showcase-keeps-evolving.html">The Somgwriters' Showcase Keeps Evolving</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/book-club-it-was-good-making-art-to.html">Bookclub: It Was Good</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/gaudis-folly-la-sagrada-familia-and.html">Gaudi's Folly: La Sagrada Familia and the Face of Barcelona</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/artist-profile-hugo-distler.html">Artist Profile: Hugo Distler</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/artist-profile-debora-iyall.html">Artist Profile: Debora Iyall</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/poetry-corner-morning.html">Poetry Corner: Morning</a><br /><br />So, brew a cup of coffee, herbal tea, or whatever you like, and stay a while. This page will be updated monthly with new articles and interviews. Enjoy!You are part of a growing group.<br />What is Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h? This is a place for Christian artists in the Inland Empire of Southern California to mix, network, relax, share, and learn.<br /><br />What types of Christian artists?<br />1. Visual arts (sculpture, painting, glass blowing, etc.)<br />2. Dance (performing, choreography, etc. )<br />3. Music (playing, writing, learning, singing, etc.)<br />4. Creative writing (poetry, stories, etc.)<br />5. Drama/theater (acting, playwriting, directing, etc.)<br />6. ??????<br /><br />Artists Work B.e.n.c.h. is for Christian artists: simply, people who are Christians and who are also artists. Some Christian artists make art exclusively for Christians, but many use their talents in secular ways as well (writing screenplays for television, jingles, playing in a philharmonic orchestra, acting in a community theater, displaying their paintings in a gallery, etc.) All are welcome here.<br /><br />Christians follow the Creator of the Universe, and therefore should be the most creative people in the world. The church has historically been the patron of great artists. Hildegard, the writer of the very first opera, was a nun. Michelangelo, Donatello, Edward Hicks, and many others made art for church and used church subjects.<br /><br />But, today, Christian art is not considered "forward" or "interesting" in many circles. This reputation is well-deserved in most cases. Christian art has become a punchline. In our own little way we hope to change some of that perception.<br /><br /><blockquote><p>What does Artist's Work B.e.n.c.h. stand for?</p><br /><br /><p>B=BUILD new Christian artists, ministries, avenues.</p><br /><p>E=ENCOURAGE Christian artists to use their talents.</p><br /><p>N=NETWORK with Christian artists, churches.</p><br /><p>C=COORDINATE opportunities for Christian artists to use/exhibit their talents.</p><br /><p>H=HELP Christian artists and help churches utilize artists.</p></blockquote><br /><br />This group is for people who fit one or more of these categories:<br />1.) Just starting out<br />2.) Being used mightily for God<br />3.) Frustrated<br />4.) Seasoned professional<br />5.) Curious<br />6.) Talented amateur<br />7.) Wanting to learn/improve<br />8.) Not sure if God can use your talent<br />9.) Good enough to teach others<br />10.) Wondering if your talent (flower arranging, calligraphy, photography, etc.) even qualifies as art.<br /><br />Christian artists--unite! Let's be creative, interesting, and forward thinking enough to lead the artistic world, while still making quality pieces that reflect our worldview.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/"><img border="0" alt="Free Hit Counter" src="http://www.easycounter.com/counter.php?epistrophy" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/">Free</a> Hit CountersTodd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-23319623279033756512009-09-05T11:19:00.000-07:002009-09-05T11:59:25.184-07:00Fine Arts Bible Study 11: Excellence<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'Charis SIL';"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'Charis SIL';">Colossians 3:23</span></p> <p><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.</span></i></span></p></blockquote><p><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVKixouI647kkJb8V0U93sZRpv1I1pipuRKAiovfpfhSBjv8tivriXrPOoOYZJIUlBk5FR0uqT491u54OU__C_fBwt46UloVcX73EE_hCbqtYeiMoGH4W6tKQzrWwMdusD84FiVTsHLw/s1600-h/excellence793681.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVKixouI647kkJb8V0U93sZRpv1I1pipuRKAiovfpfhSBjv8tivriXrPOoOYZJIUlBk5FR0uqT491u54OU__C_fBwt46UloVcX73EE_hCbqtYeiMoGH4W6tKQzrWwMdusD84FiVTsHLw/s320/excellence793681.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378053227787837986" /></a></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is nothing wrong with being a beginner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It means you are branching out, trying new things, walking new paths.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes those new things just don’t pan out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Maybe you realized the road was going to be more difficult than you originally thought, and you just don’t have the time to devote to it right now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps circumstances change in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once, you were a bachelor and all of your free time was yours.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now you are a husband and a father, plus a boss at work.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Your hobby was fun for a while, but you gave it up long ago when time became a premium for you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Other times, a beginner takes to a new path like white on rice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It becomes something you enjoy, which feels natural, and something you wish to move forward in your talent and vision.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is certainly nothing wrong with being a beginner.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is something wrong, however, with someone who has been doing a certain thing for a long time, but still has the talent and knowledge of a beginner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even worse is when said “artist” is on the worship team, choir, drama team, etc. at church.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"></i></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Psalm 33:1-3<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">Let the godly sing for joy to the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span>;</span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><br /><span class="apple-style-span"> it is fitting for the pure to praise him.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Praise the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="apple-style-span">with melodies on the lyre;</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"> make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span">Sing a new song of praise to him;</span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"> play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p> <h2><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">1 Chronicles 15:22<o:p></o:p></span></i></h2> <h2><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"> </span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;">Kenaniah, the head Levite, was chosen as the choir leader because of his skill.<span style="color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">1 Chronicles 25: 6-8<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span>. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">They and their families were all trained in making music before the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span>, and each of them—288 in all—was an accomplished musician.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student.</span></i></span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">God wants our talents to increase.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many people who research how the brain processes things say that it takes about 1,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something, whether it is basketball, guitar, or cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you practice at something for an hour every single day, including Christmas and your birthday, it will take almost three years to get 1,000 hours in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It takes 5,000 hours of practice to become a genius at a skill (that’s about 13 years of practicing for an hour each and every day, more if you skip holidays).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even Mozart himself had an overbearing father who made him practice as a small child, and could have easily gotten in 5,000 hours when he was young.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">Some people will cite Stephanie Meyer, who supposedly awoke from a vivid dream in June, 2003, had drafted the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Twilight</i> by August of that year, and had a six-figure book deal by 2005.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That seems extremely serendipitous until you realize that she also earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1995 and has been writing since she was twelve.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">As it turns out, overnight success stories rarely are actually overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It takes practice, it takes determination, it takes instruction, it takes learning, it takes perseverance through mental blocks, and it takes a lot of time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:-webkit-monospace;font-size:13px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKawuG3w6qLlWFKoTOr4UDIY58rVwNvCOuDnUG5UmI0jgn-r1yQpU0K1ASw7shWYiBseo7LQo1TcxxPxlQ0v0ZWgrpxQAuxfvWjQ5y6Hwu0Npt_v4faHR4sC4u5kOG609MyM8lu4thf4/s1600-h/talents.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKawuG3w6qLlWFKoTOr4UDIY58rVwNvCOuDnUG5UmI0jgn-r1yQpU0K1ASw7shWYiBseo7LQo1TcxxPxlQ0v0ZWgrpxQAuxfvWjQ5y6Hwu0Npt_v4faHR4sC4u5kOG609MyM8lu4thf4/s320/talents.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378052379190642626" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"></span></i></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">Matthew 25:14-30<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">“Again, the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Heaven</st1:placename></st1:place> can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">He gave five bags of silver</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"> </span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’</span></i></p></blockquote><p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">Did you catch how long the master had been gone in this parable?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Jesus said he had been gone “a long time.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Talents don’t materialize overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That should be a comfort for those who feel like they have to work hard at getting the chords right on every single worship song every single week, and it should also be an admonition for those who don’t want to put in the time to develop their talents. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Check out the story of David and Araunah:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"></i></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">2 Samuel 24:20-25<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>“Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"> David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>there, so that he will stop the plague.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>your God accept your sacrifice.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><sup><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";font-size:9.0pt;color:black;"> </span></sup></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">for the threshing floor and the oxen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"> David built an altar there to the L<span style="font-variant: small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. And the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>answered his prayer for the land, and the plague on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region> was stopped.</span></i></p></blockquote><p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">“But, I’m just a volunteer…”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">If you are calling yourself a Christian artist, you are using the name of Christ to define your art, whether or not it is appropriate for using in a church service.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are using the name of Christ to define your art, shouldn’t you give God your excellence?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Take a night class in music theory from your local community college.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hire a tutor or instructor to teach you for a half hour each week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Go to the local library and check out books that teach you more about your art.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Developing your talent means increasing your talent, and that glorifies God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you are creating your art for God, then do it for God with excellence, because He deserves excellence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p>Finally, a warning from Malachi 1:12-14:<span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"></span></i></p><blockquote><p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;">“But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span>,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"> “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the L<span style="font-variant:small-caps">ord</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!”</span></i></p></blockquote><p><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Charis SIL"; font-family:";color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p>___________________________________________________________________</p><p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">Questions<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">1. What are some free or inexpensive things you can do to increase your talent?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">2. How would you counsel an artist who says, “I don’t want to study this.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think it will just cheapen my work.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want my work to be authentic, and I want God to be glorified by my weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What good is it if I develop this as a strength through my own learning?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">3. Is it easier to be creatively inspired as a beginner who hasn’t been boxed in with limits yet, or as a well-trained artist who has the skill necessary to execute the inspirations that come?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style="Charis SIL";font-family:";color:black;">4. If you are skilled in an art, how have you helped other Christians you know develop their talents?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What more could you do to help other Christian artists have a more excellent sacrifice to give God?<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #1 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/fine-arts-bible-study-1.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #2 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/fine-arts-bible-study-2.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #3 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/fine-arts-bible-study-3.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #4 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/fine-arts-bible-study-4.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #5, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/fine-arts-bible-study-5.html">click here </a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #6, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/fine-arts-bible-study-6.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #7, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/fine-arts-bible-study-7-when-faith-and.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #8, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/fine-arts-bible-study-8.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #9, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/fine-arts-bible-study-9.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To Read Fine Arts Bible Study #10, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/fine-arts-bible-study-10.html">click here</a>.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-11011741394890171982009-09-03T15:19:00.000-07:002009-09-05T14:47:21.092-07:00Master Class: Vocal Warmups (or, What To Do in the Car and Before Rehearsal)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TQhpdRkaQcWhNyABjsxZrMA74NqufigEiLfaEUTinPHDBghe6BxLqWT3Lms1fpaxpJHhSxYg99BCOn3FM2gkEpsxidvYdj87UqQqJd_me9YN90kMeiTVZgb8wUQAT3t8ARR91-6hJ5E/s1600-h/vocalwarmup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TQhpdRkaQcWhNyABjsxZrMA74NqufigEiLfaEUTinPHDBghe6BxLqWT3Lms1fpaxpJHhSxYg99BCOn3FM2gkEpsxidvYdj87UqQqJd_me9YN90kMeiTVZgb8wUQAT3t8ARR91-6hJ5E/s400/vocalwarmup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377369852190322066" /></a><br /><br />Musicians tune their instruments and warm up their fingers, dancers stretch their bodies. How do vocalists warm up? The sad truth is that many don’t. They should, of course, because vocal cords and mouth muscles are like any instrument in that they need warming up. Also, unlike musicians, vocalists play an instrument that is not only physically attached to their bodies, it is also extremely useful and probably necessary for their regular daily tasks and employment. While most people don’t literally sing for their suppers, they do need to talk, and therefore, it’s important that they don’t stress their vocal cords while singing.<br /><br />Here are some simple things you can do to warm up and protect your vocal cords.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1) Hydrate!</span><br /><br />Keeping your throat hydrated is perhaps the single most important way to protect your voice. Dry throats not only sound bad, they can cause damage to the vocal cords when you try to sing without the proper lubrication. The best way to manage this is to keep a bottle of water handy at all times. Drink from it regularly throughout the day, not just when you are planning to do some singing. <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Stay away</span></span> from milk and sugary carbonated drinks because they will cause more problems than you would have with a dry throat. Milk and sugar syrup coat the throat and keep the air column from vibrating properly.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2) Silly phrases and tongue twisters</span><br /><br />Nothing limbers up one’s voice like practicing something difficult. Not so difficult that you strain your vocal cords, obviously, but it’s good to run through some words and phrases that make you think about how you articulate sounds. When you start off, go slowly and really over-enunciate (it’s okay to sound like a bad actor) so that you can get your throat and facial muscles working. Think of it as a workout from the neck up. Try to speak every syllable clearly; if you trip over one, go over it again and again until it flows easily. As you progress, increase your speed until you can no longer enunciate correctly. Here are some phrases you can use for practice:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Red letter, yellow letter<br />Good blood, bad blood<br />Eleven benevolent elephants<br />She sells seashells by the seashore<br />Teaching ghosts to sing<br />The big, black-backed bumblebee<br />A critical cricket critic<br />Really rural<br />The tip of the tongue, the lips, the teeth<br />Unique New York<br />Hemorrhoidal removal<br /></span><br />And for a really good workout, try this long tongue-twister:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">What a to-do to die today at a minute or two to two,<br />a thing distinctly hard to say but harder still to do.<br />for they'll beat a tattoo at a quarter to two:<br />a rat-ta tat-tat ta tat-tat ta to-to.<br />and the dragon will come when he hears the drum<br />at a minute or two to two today, at a minute or two to two<br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3) Massage</span><br /><br />Yeah, sure, some nice shiatsu would probably do everyone a world of good. But we’re not talking about the full-body type of massage here. We mean simply massaging the cheeks, jaw and sides of the neck to help relax those muscles. Tension is the killer of many things, and singing is one of them. If your cheek muscles are so tight that you can’t open wide enough to articulate certain sounds, or if your neck is too stiff to move the way you would like, it’s going to throw off your ability to sing well.<br /><br />First, relax your jaw as much as you can, and gently rub your cheeks with both hands. Use a circular motion to cover the full cheek area. If you would like, you can make some vowel sounds as you do this massage to see how the different positioning of your jaw and cheeks changes the sound.<br /><br />Work your way up your jawline to the point in front of your ear canals. This is where a lot of tension headaches begin, right at the joint where the jaw attaches to the skull. After a minute or so, work your way down your jawline to the area under your chin. These are some of the muscles that close your jaw. Hold your head back a little and massage the frontal area of your neck, from your chin down to your thyroid cartilage (“Adam’s apple” for guys).<br /><br />Next, place your hands at the sides of your neck, directly below your ears. These muscles don’t really affect the jaw or throat, but they do help to relax your neck and remove more tension. Be sure not to apply too much pressure anywhere; this is not the deep-tissue type of massage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4) Diaphragm, not shoulders</span><br /><br />Breath control is one of the most difficult but important skills for the singer to master. Most of us tend to breathe shallowly, using only a portion of our lungs to move air in and out. This is fine for everyday breathing, but it greatly reduces the volume and quality of sound when we try to sing.<br /><br />Here’s how to check for proper breathing. Look at yourself in a mirror, stand up straight and watch as you take some deep breaths. Do your shoulders move up and down? If so, you are drawing air into the upper portion of your lungs but neglecting the lower part. Does your abdomen move in and out when you breathe deeply? That indicates just the opposite: you’re using the lower part of your lungs more than the upper part. The ideal situation is for your chest area to rise and fall as you breathe, right in the middle of these two extremes. To do this you must use the diaphragm muscle that lies directly under your lungs. It enables you to maximize airflow through your lungs, and therefore through your vocal cords. You can experiment with using different sets of muscles until you come up with the ideal way of breathing. Simply watch the way your body moves as you try these different methods of breath control. When you have good chest movement with minimal shoulder and abdominal movement, you’ve arrived.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5) Head position</span><br /><br />This is another severely neglected point of control when singing. Have you ever seen one of those First Aid videos where they show someone tilting back an unconscious person’s head to open the airway? Why is it, then, that we see so many people trying to sing into a microphone with their chin practically touching their chest? Holding your head straight forward, or even tilted upward, as you sing will increase the size of your airway and permit more air to flow through without overexerting your vocal cords.<br /><br />Some singers, most notably Lemmy Kilmister (seen below) of the British metal band Motorhead, have their mikes elevated high enough that they have to tilt their heads back to sing. Lemmy began doing this specifically to compensate for some vocal deficiencies, but it can be a good practice for many singers. Try to experiment with the position of your head and microphone as you sing to see what gives you the best airflow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN21M0PrcTxhXdiEZVQPpd0o98bbCjnrEN6ktZuoqaMmampcI5K6VxeANyluidy5NRVb_JRxRDuaVIr4xkI4TKPGzYE9ZNw0bKQIRBf8hS3rLA0WBqTtBlnpX1vfoUxNQHL3eeIiQKnqI/s1600-h/lemmy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 390px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN21M0PrcTxhXdiEZVQPpd0o98bbCjnrEN6ktZuoqaMmampcI5K6VxeANyluidy5NRVb_JRxRDuaVIr4xkI4TKPGzYE9ZNw0bKQIRBf8hS3rLA0WBqTtBlnpX1vfoUxNQHL3eeIiQKnqI/s400/lemmy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377370713271243714" /></a><br /><br />Look here for our prior Master Classes:<br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/master-class-photographing-water.html">Photographing Water</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">Writing Good Poetry, July 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/master-class-five-cs-of-songwriting-for.html">The Five C's of Songwriting, June 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/master-class-experimenting-with.html">Experimenting with Abstract Landscapes, May 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/master-class-preparing-for-excellence.html">Preparing for Excellence, April 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/it-builds-character-master-class.html">It Builds Character, March 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/master-class-labanotation-recording.html">Labanotation, February 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/master-class-singability.html">Singability, January 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/master-class-getting-beyond-cliched-art.html">Avoiding Cliches, December 2008</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-58935084064033225882009-09-03T14:37:00.001-07:002009-09-05T14:37:45.334-07:00Happenings for September 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbg1sx-PLvD5Jxn4ouIu87VwdftN1WYGvWm5dCMtgkG-fsg07NHs3BHHttg5pfl9SQs2tmsiVyXQjzFhu7kzY5PRlX2Uux-95GAYzJsqauAFefe3Id9iqvXYTwsxmAZnThuY89TGS3zM/s1600-h/asonginmyheartlogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbg1sx-PLvD5Jxn4ouIu87VwdftN1WYGvWm5dCMtgkG-fsg07NHs3BHHttg5pfl9SQs2tmsiVyXQjzFhu7kzY5PRlX2Uux-95GAYzJsqauAFefe3Id9iqvXYTwsxmAZnThuY89TGS3zM/s200/asonginmyheartlogo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377359812666051314" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 5: A Song in My Heart - Two shows only!</span><br /><br />At Lifehouse Theater in Redlands, “A Song in My Heart” presents in humorous verse the amazing true stories behind some of the greatest worship hymns of all time. A man discovers he is going blind. Another loses his family and fortune. A young couple face death at the hands of terrorists. Each incident has led to the writing of great hymns sung to this day. Enjoy the stories behind these classics and leave with a song in your heart! Show starts at 7:30 PM on Saturday, Sept. 5 and 2:15 PM on Sunday, Sept. 6. For more info, call (909) 335-3037 or visit <a href="http://www.lifehousetheater.com/">http://www.lifehousetheater.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 6: GraceFest in Antelope Valley</span><br /><br />On Sept. 6, GraceFest arrives in the Antelope Valley with Point of Grace, Superchick, 33 Miles and more. Show runs from 2-9 PM at the Palmdale Amphitheater, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale. Tickets are $5-25. For more information, call (661) 265-6069.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><b>Lewis Library: Emphasis Art</b><br /><br />Free art classes for children 5 years and older every Tuesday, 3:30-4:30 at the Lewis Library, 8437 Sierra Ave in Fontana. The classes are held in the toddler room. For information call (909) 356-7184. Hosted by Fontana Art Depot.<br /><br /><blockquote>September 8- Underwater watercolors<br />September 15- My drawing has texture<br />Sept 29- Artistic freedom<br />Sept 22- Make that abstract</blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 11: Revolution</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vwW5Gl0J1vl7CPMH_P0eA6xxWO8BWLnXZ1KT3VSaT0U_NYMZFU56VV3hWBg3sUMGxIwBDJ3riuwohh8ho86kfHdwtPIzbQblKguLGYLEnV7ooenxoTjyMN_HKSRJTtdl_ksqx76c_L8/s1600-h/rootschurch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vwW5Gl0J1vl7CPMH_P0eA6xxWO8BWLnXZ1KT3VSaT0U_NYMZFU56VV3hWBg3sUMGxIwBDJ3riuwohh8ho86kfHdwtPIzbQblKguLGYLEnV7ooenxoTjyMN_HKSRJTtdl_ksqx76c_L8/s320/rootschurch.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377359916283572242" /></a><br /><br />At 7:00 PM on Sept. 11, Roots Church of San Bernardino presents Revolution, a night of prayer and worship designed to uplift the community. Led by Pastor Evan Doyle, Roots Church is located at 1379 East Highland Ave. in San Bernardino, west of Del Rosa Avenue. For more information, contact info@rootschurchsb.com or visit <a href="http://www.lovepurposepower.blogspot.com/">http://www.lovepurposepower.blogspot.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 11-12: Women of Faith</span><br /><br />“A Grand New Day” Women of Faith Conference with special guests Allison Allen, Sandi Patty, Sheila Walsh, Patsy Clairmont, Steven Curtis Chapman and more. Held at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Tickets are $79-109. Visit <a href="http://www.womenoffaith.com/">http://www.womenoffaith.com</a> or call 1-888-49-FAITH.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 11-20: Noah at Lifehouse</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvDtFewj1xNKYxUo3UoZxPRDPn7vvl_0uDPbSG3of8Elzw1q3QimX3U-MjGriDfC0S68TiBvhy23YQsjPbjc7pkQsxUyLgYPUqtVbVoccBn4i4N1U8zddZX0ppZ13wAn97c3bb9yAuyk/s1600-h/Noah-Wood-logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvDtFewj1xNKYxUo3UoZxPRDPn7vvl_0uDPbSG3of8Elzw1q3QimX3U-MjGriDfC0S68TiBvhy23YQsjPbjc7pkQsxUyLgYPUqtVbVoccBn4i4N1U8zddZX0ppZ13wAn97c3bb9yAuyk/s320/Noah-Wood-logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377360148514979970" /></a><br /><br />Beginning on Sept. 11, Lifehouse Theater in Redlands presents a fun, zany but ultimately reverent and inspirational new take on the familiar biblical story of Noah. A smash hit when it was first performed at Lifehouse, critics and audiences alike praised the contemporary music, comedy and symbolic staging of this timeless account of the flood story. 2:15 PM matinees and 7:30 PM evening performances through Sept. 20. For more info, call (909) 335-3037 or visit <a href="http://www.lifehousetheater.com/">http://www.lifehousetheater.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 11-20: Taming of the Shrew</span><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Combining Shakespeare and the classic 50s in a production of Taming of the Shrew, we present this classic play in a style reminiscent of Sid Caesar and Your Show of Shows. In a time not too long ago, before political correctness was a term, penniless Petruchio sets out to tame the untameable Shrew, for a price. The Shrew, Katharina, must be married before her beautiful younger sister. What follows is Shakespeare's most violent and entertaining love story. Come hear Shakespeare's words, and actually understand and enjoy them! Buy tickets at </span><a href="http://www.inlandtheatreworks.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.inlandtheatreworks.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Productions will take place at Sturges Center for the Performing Arts, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">780 North E Street San Bernardino, CA 92410. Tickets are $10-25.</span></span> </span><br /></span><div><b><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /></b></div><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 12: Bryan Duncan</span><br /><br />Hacienda Christian Life Campus presents ‘The Gathering,’ featuring Brian Duncan. 2-9 PM at the Lamb’s Fellowship, 21901 Railroad Canyon Rd., Lake Elsinore. Tickets are $20. Call (951) 679-4667 for more info.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 13: The Rave in Chino</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9m7bNIyNxFw6uSaKFc5LmhmZlWm6DxJJ0pJaTOsS_c1IEsJec456k13ayyjWRT5goW4GSVkZyv4ugxRqexlnXN55EsjUReBPiEQOqT4V_hWe4QqyDhcWpumPQ1K6xoko3q_gYb6FMBo/s1600-h/brokenveil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9m7bNIyNxFw6uSaKFc5LmhmZlWm6DxJJ0pJaTOsS_c1IEsJec456k13ayyjWRT5goW4GSVkZyv4ugxRqexlnXN55EsjUReBPiEQOqT4V_hWe4QqyDhcWpumPQ1K6xoko3q_gYb6FMBo/s400/brokenveil.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377360559769783058" /></a><br /><br />The monthly Rave features Broken Veil (above), DJ Steve, Cafe, prizes, and more. 6-8:30 PM at New Hope Christian Fellowship, 13333 Ramona Ave. in Chino. Call (909) 702-3736 or visit <a href="http://www.myspace.com/chinorave">http://www.myspace.com/chinorave</a> .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Sept. 15: KJ-52 in Indio</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HA4HScis2HLBixQfFaVVyXwLJIHoM5_WT6PZK2arFRbcWyvgwyjX6SqxLYcO5XvvxSnR94vKy4BycxS265A6vgb1JVPB-oYeJesNm5Vw3ikNgF2JHIyvRihp-vVRLqaGCbzWaXVs-KM/s1600-h/kj52.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HA4HScis2HLBixQfFaVVyXwLJIHoM5_WT6PZK2arFRbcWyvgwyjX6SqxLYcO5XvvxSnR94vKy4BycxS265A6vgb1JVPB-oYeJesNm5Vw3ikNgF2JHIyvRihp-vVRLqaGCbzWaXVs-KM/s320/kj52.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377612732282864402" /></a><br /><br />Lighthouse Ministries presents KJ-52 in concert at Fountain of Living Water, 82-025 Bliss Avenue, Indio. Doors open at 6:30; show starts at 7:00. Purchase tickets through <a href="http://www.itickets.com/events/232031.html">http://www.itickets.com/events/232031.html</a> or call (760) 347-0054 for more information.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 15: Auditions for “Unto Us”</span><br /><br />On Sept. 15 from 6 to 9 PM, Lifehouse Theater in Redlands will be holding auditions for the cast of their Nativity drama, “Unto Us”. The show features more than thirty speaking roles and many extras. For more info about audition requirements, call (909) 335-3037 or visit <a href="http://www.lifehousetheater.com/">http://www.lifehousetheater.com</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 19: Fall Hallelujah Jubilee at Six Flags</span><br /><br />Come join the Fall Hallelujah Jubilee with Newsboys, the Afters and Project 86. Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. Show is free with park admission. For more info, call (661) 255-4500 or visit <a href="http://www.sixflags.com/">http://www.sixflags.com</a> .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sept. 20: Casting Crowns</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbJ3GwnKPG66_pm25-t2gQolfdWu3ECSGOEZV3TSCczMeFy6Sw2TbAcL6WmXtpczjfbnClvWtUWPKnWMpb4-YaDfVAoSUC-KQGyRY42Q55C2mJczSWWUls_172Uhc_TBAnePHdERpzgY/s1600-h/casting-crowns-great-band.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbJ3GwnKPG66_pm25-t2gQolfdWu3ECSGOEZV3TSCczMeFy6Sw2TbAcL6WmXtpczjfbnClvWtUWPKnWMpb4-YaDfVAoSUC-KQGyRY42Q55C2mJczSWWUls_172Uhc_TBAnePHdERpzgY/s400/casting-crowns-great-band.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377359540387138818" /></a><br /><br />Casting Crowns’ “Until the Whole World Hears Tour” comes to the Bren Center at UCI Irvine. 7:00 PM. Call (800) 840-0457 or visit <a href="http://www.celebrationconcerts.com/">http://www.celebrationconcerts.com</a> .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><b>Sept 20: Family Art Day at the Claremont Museum of Art</b><br /><br />Simply Sculpture- Come try your hand at sculpture. The museum will provide the materials, you provide the vision. 12-3 PM, tickets are free. The museum is located at 536 West First Street Claremont, CA.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><b>Sept 22: Korean Classical Music and Dance</b><br /><br />Join the fun as you experience the Korean culture. See traditional dance favorites including: Flower Crown dance, Fan dance, Hourglass Drum dance, and the Drum dance. Admission is free. 6:00 PM at the Steelworker's Auditorium at the Lewis Library, 8437 Sierra Ave in Fontana. For more information, call (909) 428-8818. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IshI8yVWpUA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IshI8yVWpUA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><b><br /></b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Sept. 25-26: Temecula GospelFest</b><br /><br />Starting at 7:00 PM on Friday and going until 10:00 PM on Saturday, this series of three Gospel concerts at the Old Town Temecula Theater, located at 42051 Main Street in Temecula, should prove to be fun for everyone. The cost is $22 per concert, or $55 for all three concerts and a catered dinner. For tickets or more information, call 1-866-OLDTOWN or visit <a href="http://www.temeculatheater.org/">www.temeculatheater.org</a>.<br /><br />Friday Night - Spirit of the Valley- 7:00 PM<br />Contemporary Christian Night, powerful praise and worship music. Featuring two-time Grammy nominee Sarah Kelly, Immersed, Gospel recording artist Vince Brown, and many other powerful local and regional worship ministers.<br /><br />Saturday Matinee - 2 pm Choir Sound Off and Arts Showcase. Choirs from all over SoCal go head to head competing for a chance to be featured on Gospel recording artist Vince Brown's new album. The featured choir is the award-winning Shield of Faith Pomona. This concert also features Maura Gale, dance and drama. A fun show, great for the whole family!<br /><br />Saturday Sept 26 -7 PM - Gospel Gala - a victorious declaration of good news, featuring Jerone Lee (Lifetime Achievement Award winner for Impact of Music in Ministry), the Mighty Women of Gospel, Pro2call, Lillian Crawford, Immersed, Vince Brown and the Temecula Mass Choir - a finale of powerful praise.<br /></div></div></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s1600-h/divider.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 363px; height: 68px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTFytb_53avXsECO4KrJU30Gzke6Yn46OwKXW0TjTawstUfJsUrJ1Q6SkYrQkZOkoK3NrocJ1YHZlVBfVI2uf-P4I_GVU4WYM8aoQkTmGRkV_8oZWYHeL664R0uuX1V0J28AEnWi124U/s400/divider.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377358609006027906" /></a><br /><br /><b>Sept 26-Oct 10: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie</b><br /><br />This hilarious adaptation brings this favorite book to life as an innocent boy's offering of a cookie to a small mouse goes from mishap to calamity to catastrophe! Whoever thought that one little cookie could lead to so much chaos? Presented by the MainStreet Theater Company at the Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Dr. Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Tickets are $13.50-16.50. For tickets or information, call 909-477-2752.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-29306672815422001672009-09-03T14:06:00.001-07:002009-09-05T14:32:19.307-07:00The Cafe for SeptemberHere are some links to get the ideas swirling in your brain. Perhaps one of these will give you a great idea for a dance or a painting...or maybe it will just be a diversion with a few interesting links.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">September birthstone: sapphire</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYETn9xYhyCIWoPyBlhiLzuNtLedkDsB5oRLSlVL7VYCJDN6Sm_1ZVbHJDryIKdOU9axDb2kkvsadYiFrtAIFWqgrJ2fHf_GvcppgBsmMCb4fpLgmtx5QazYnQ8B44NwbqXBjBNTnD3LM/s1600-h/sapphires.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYETn9xYhyCIWoPyBlhiLzuNtLedkDsB5oRLSlVL7VYCJDN6Sm_1ZVbHJDryIKdOU9axDb2kkvsadYiFrtAIFWqgrJ2fHf_GvcppgBsmMCb4fpLgmtx5QazYnQ8B44NwbqXBjBNTnD3LM/s400/sapphires.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377350878678474082" /></a><br /><br />Did you know that, chemically, sapphires and rubies are exactly the same? They are forms of a stone called corundum. A ruby is a corundum that is colored some shade of red, but not too pink. All other corundums, no matter what their color, are sapphires. Blue corundums are considered to be the prettiest sapphires, and are therefore the most popular and expensive shade. If a corundum is pinkish-orange in color, it’s called a <span style="font-style:italic;">padparadscha</span>, from the Sanskrit words for the color of a lotus flower.<br /><br />You may have seen star sapphires, like the one above right, that look like they have a glowing white star in the middle of them. This is an effect called asterism, and it is caused by another mineral in the stone. The crystals of that mineral, rutile, are long, thin and arranged parallel to each other inside the stone. When light passes through the cut stone, it’s refracted into the shape of a star. So while star sapphires are considered impure because of the rutile inclusions, they are very beautiful and prized in their own right.<br /><br />And hey, one more factoid for your artists: rutile is one of the most common sources of the white pigment used in titanium white paint!<br /><br />----------------<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">September flower: aster</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGvBt13QS-r47jtuHUH8-_8OJ-X9TH7xGhjiop-kfHVwT6Xy1j2lpF5ZdVIqCL9n279TxMMH4gCTHWiUUGwpSU4Kiv1ct0DN89Ij9jfUWIo97BWVn7yQW4df-vLwKiIjsxaENORuDL5I/s1600-h/aster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGvBt13QS-r47jtuHUH8-_8OJ-X9TH7xGhjiop-kfHVwT6Xy1j2lpF5ZdVIqCL9n279TxMMH4gCTHWiUUGwpSU4Kiv1ct0DN89Ij9jfUWIo97BWVn7yQW4df-vLwKiIjsxaENORuDL5I/s400/aster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377351038826063026" /></a><br /><br />September is full of stars! Besides the star sapphires we mentioned above, the flower for the month of September is the aster. The name, of course, comes from the Latin word for star because of the flower head’s shape. There are about six hundred different types of asters found all over the world. In ancient times, people believed that burning the leaves of asters would drive away snakes. It was once customary to lay asters on the graves of soldiers to acknowledge that their memories would endure over time.<br /><br />------------------<br /><br />There are plenty of people out there who bang on things all the time to see what kind of noise they make. To my wife’s chagrin, I’m one of them. But I don’t know of too many people who have gone this far:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/169573/geeky_tunes_music_from_a_tree.html">http://www.pcworld.com/article/169573/geeky_tunes_music_from_a_tree.html</a><br /><br />And then there’s violinist and composer Jon Rose, who makes music with the fence along the U.S./Mexico border:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jonroseweb.com/f_projects_mexico-usa.html">http://www.jonroseweb.com/f_projects_mexico-usa.html</a><br /><br />Mr. Rose has made a whole career recently out of musical fences. Below he performs a duet with Hollis Taylor on a wire fence.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d18IIgkT9W0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d18IIgkT9W0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />-------------------<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BIFUpLjraYhuZ2_dvq-VHdSMTMKs_rR6yPbMZTLrwEI0uBIxZYAICH0BQS2-7blnr8XNzgtHuxZxpxLyGZaaPYlSKWa_ajGrMQ0V2fl8Ew9NAq8aA3SINiMGIpqYa0pMyXjWYyNxX1s/s1600-h/mikehadley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BIFUpLjraYhuZ2_dvq-VHdSMTMKs_rR6yPbMZTLrwEI0uBIxZYAICH0BQS2-7blnr8XNzgtHuxZxpxLyGZaaPYlSKWa_ajGrMQ0V2fl8Ew9NAq8aA3SINiMGIpqYa0pMyXjWYyNxX1s/s400/mikehadley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377351539804721682" /></a><br /><br />Satirist Mike Hadley (above), from Minneapolis, makes some great videos about the goofier aspects of the Christian culture. We especially like this one (“Tomlin, Tomlin, Brewster, Crowder, Hillsong, Brewster, Brewster, Tomlin… Tomlin!”): <a href="http://vimeo.com/4902926">http://vimeo.com/4902926</a><br /><br />---------------<br /><br />DeAnna Putnam, belly dancer and Master of Divinity (wow, there’s a combination!), has written an extremely interesting article about the history of dance in the Bible. She looks at what the different Hebrew and Greek terms used in the Biblical texts actually tell us about the context and style of dance in the times of Moses, David and Jesus: <a href="http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles20/biblebellydance.htm">http://www.gildedserpent.com/articles20/biblebellydance.htm</a><br /><br />---------------<br /><br />Steve Carroll is a local musician from Forest Falls who appeared at our Christian Songwriters’ Showcase in July 2009. Here’s a video clip of Steve performing his song “Fall” at the Monrovia Coffee Company:<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SZfs-Q1_r2c&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SZfs-Q1_r2c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />-----------------<br /><br />One of the better bands on Southern California's Christian rock scene in the late 1980s was The Reign. Fronted by Harold Bloemendaal, the band played a good number of concerts around the Southland and released one excellent album, “Back from Euphoria”, before calling it quits in 1989. This past August, the band decided to reunite for a one-off concert celebrating the album’s 20th anniversary. That stupendous concert was filmed and recorded for an upcoming CD/DVD release, due this fall. We don’t have any footage of that show yet, but here’s the band playing “Cold Desert Wind” at the Redlands Bowl back in the day (Rock of Love, 1989; thanks to John Smeby):<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VzFzr2sOXJI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VzFzr2sOXJI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />---------------<br /><br />And, to close out with a giggle, here’s some creativity applied to safety gear:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/06/02/12-unusual-and-creative-helmets/">http://www.toxel.com/inspiration/2009/06/02/12-unusual-and-creative-helmets/</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-41727891984463498752009-09-03T11:25:00.000-07:002009-09-05T14:07:08.567-07:00Songwriters' Showcase keeps evolving<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s1600-h/jeremiahjohns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s320/jeremiahjohns.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365511373194579394" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Jeremiah Johns, one of our featured Showcase artists for September 2009</em><br /><br />We have had two successful Christian Songwriters' Showcases at the new venue, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Redlands. In August we were entertained and blessed by the music of Justin Reid, our first returning artist, and Chris Ryan, an excellent young musician who played at this year's Cornerstone Festival and has been making good waves around the state. (He comes by it honestly; his mother is Dawn Wisner-Johnson, former singer of Crumbacher and Almost Ugly.)<br /><br />The Showcase will now be held on the third Saturday of each month, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The <strong>September 19th</strong> lineup includes:<br /><br /><strong>Jeremiah Johns</strong> from Lancaster, a quickly rising artist who recently opened for The Reign's 20-year reunion concert in Fullerton (yes, Jeremiah was on the roster for August, but his car broke down en route...);<br /><br />local poet <strong>Jim Cox</strong>, a resident of Reche Canyon who has been writing and performing poetry and short stories for more than four decades. Cox will present some of his poetic works with musical accompaniment;<br /><br />and more artists to be announced!<br /><br />For more information about the Showcase, including how to line up a slot for an upcoming event, contact us at <a href="mailto:epistrophy@aol.com">epistrophy@aol.com</a>. See you on September 19th!!Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-52980686019991400662009-09-03T11:23:00.000-07:002009-09-05T11:18:57.512-07:00Book Club: It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of GodOur Artists’ Work B.e.n.c.h. Book Club selection for the third and fourth quarters of 2009 is a profoundly inspirational collection of essays entitled <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Was-Good-Making-Art-Glory/dp/0978509714/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246030136&sr=8-1">It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God</a></em>. We are spreading the book out over the last half of 2009 because it is a sizeable book with a lot to think about and discuss.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_XGmFMroKeh1dW-Q_NLwgndnCvGCTevWBNN0k72XaWbgi3jzaVYGI5udYNrEyESoDyKhinpxbczWrAe69ERV0oG2D0kJSuqJ88DiX4zEq2jkJUr0i2SoFz-KbrBw_BVTpfvS4NfZvA/s1600-h/It-was-Good-cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_XGmFMroKeh1dW-Q_NLwgndnCvGCTevWBNN0k72XaWbgi3jzaVYGI5udYNrEyESoDyKhinpxbczWrAe69ERV0oG2D0kJSuqJ88DiX4zEq2jkJUr0i2SoFz-KbrBw_BVTpfvS4NfZvA/s320/It-was-Good-cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354444711836483650" /></a><br /><br />Edited by Ned Bustard and published by <a href="http://www.squarehalobooks.com/">Square Halo Books</a>, this marvelous collection discusses subjects like conveying the concepts of good and evil in art, developing a sense of community, beauty, substance, mission, truth and many other issues of importance to the Christian artist. The contributors include:<br /><br />Ned Bustard, founder of the graphic arts company <a href="http://www.worldsendimages.com/">World’s End Images</a>, author of <a href="http://www.veritaspress.com/">children’s educational books</a>, and artistic director for Square Halo Books;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.charliepeacock.com/">Charlie Peacock</a>, award-winning musician, composer, author and producer;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sandrabowden.com/">Sandra Bowden</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.civa.org/">Christians In the Visual Arts</a>, whose vivid artworks were featured in <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-profile-sandra-bowden.html">a recent Work B.e.n.c.h. issue</a>;<br /><br />Makato Fujimura, cross-cultural painter and founder of the <a href="http://www.iamny.org/">International Arts Movement</a>;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rogerfeldman.com/">Roger Feldman</a>, large-scale multimedia artist;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edknippers.com/">Edward Knippers</a>, painter renowned for his compassionate but stunning depictions of the human form;<br /><br />and several other artists across many disciplines. Here’s what the publisher has to say about <em>It Was Good</em>:<br /><br /><blockquote>“The Christian looks at the world through the eyes of one who has a restored relationship with the Creator, and receives a new vision affecting every area of life—including the creative process. So what does it mean to be a creative individual who is a follower of the creative God? <em>It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God </em>seeks to answer that question through a series of essays which offer theoretical and practical insights into artmaking from a Christian perspective. The Christian worldview is foundational to the approach a believer in Christ takes to making art and artmaking inevitably raises difficult questions. This book offers aid in developing some of the internal tools needed to work through those questions, and so to glorify and enjoy God while trying to speak with a clear and relevant voice to a fallen world.”</blockquote><br /><br />Please note that we will be working with the 2007 expanded edition of the book, not the earlier, smaller edition. The updated edition doubles the number of essays and should be considered an essential resource for any Christian artist.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-6198414161353169522009-09-02T17:24:00.000-07:002009-09-05T11:18:44.180-07:00Gaudi's Folly: La Sagrada Familia and the Face of Barcelona<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxK-RCpy6C-ceqvoRf1Z8SjPtB5SXB0TQJdMEXfdniU9tnkyUIEIgswhd1_E1azBujG0IuTs4_J1xgq4ISBTVWK16FRm4J5WUPnX8TTA-UfdOeD-ZIS9xuL_UxiJrPHPEnJJ9uk4pGuE/s1600-h/gaudi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxK-RCpy6C-ceqvoRf1Z8SjPtB5SXB0TQJdMEXfdniU9tnkyUIEIgswhd1_E1azBujG0IuTs4_J1xgq4ISBTVWK16FRm4J5WUPnX8TTA-UfdOeD-ZIS9xuL_UxiJrPHPEnJJ9uk4pGuE/s400/gaudi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377246357043785058" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Antoni Gaudi, the architect that helped give Barcelona its distinctive skyline.</em><br /><br />Many elements have come together to make Barcelona, Spain, one of the most utterly unique cities in the world. Part of its uniqueness comes from the Catalonian culture, with its own dialect and an almost nationalistic spirit. Part stems from his ancient history as a Roman outpost founded by Hannibal’s father, absorbed into the Kingdom of Aragon and dominated by hostile forces many times over the centuries. The city is one of Europe’s industrial and financial powerhouses. But, perhaps more than anything, Barcelona is notable for the innovative, often downright bizarre creations of one lone architect. One could say that no single structure summarizes the character of Barcelona more than the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família: the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc_C58g5evQ48gczUM3GHu-ArQhYuC8wV5hHkyAWkfDhZbVgz9ufPPT2AYqc7s3PHgaWHJoc2D876oD6RXCCf5ArlMJv_DRSShrH9bBdOuME_xjDuvAcbMO0BCvjvg0TPAlmheBql8xk/s1600-h/sagrada-familia.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNc_C58g5evQ48gczUM3GHu-ArQhYuC8wV5hHkyAWkfDhZbVgz9ufPPT2AYqc7s3PHgaWHJoc2D876oD6RXCCf5ArlMJv_DRSShrH9bBdOuME_xjDuvAcbMO0BCvjvg0TPAlmheBql8xk/s400/sagrada-familia.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377246106546447026" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: La Sagrada Familia, under construction for 127 years and counting.</em><br /><br />Antoni Gaudi, the creator of La Sagrada Familia, was born in a village of southern Catalonia on June 25, 1852. His family had a long history of coppersmithing on both sides, so it was logical that Gaudi would take up some sort of artistic pursuit. As a child he frequently battled bouts of rheumatic fever, remedied by sitting outside and breathing in fresh air while admiring God’s natural creations. Young Antoni’s appreciation for nature and its forms colored his artistic sensibilities, right up through his development as an architect. In 1873 he enrolled at Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura, where his instructors did not know quite what to make of his creations. Reluctantly they issued him the formal title of Architect in 1877, although one of his professors quipped, “Who knows if we have given this diploma to a nut or to a genius. Time will tell.”<br /><br />Gaudi’s first professional jobs were fairly simple: some lampposts for a pavilion here, a showcase for a glovemaker there. Then, in 1883, he received a commission to design a home for Manuel Vicens, a local industrialist who operated brick and tile factories. It was a grand opportunity for Gaudi to strut his stuff, and he achieved more than expected. The Casa Vicens is an enormous structure of four stories and 12,500 square feet, made of rough stone and bricks with staggering checkerboards of tilework. Gables and towers, topped with Moorish domes and arches, jut out from the building at odd heights and angles. It was a strange but auspicious debut for the young architect, getting people’s attention without going too far overboard (yet).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_aSCGiLO0lUbe6SYJcfh-sxDewTnhYP41hkaYCx8q9aiTAvtUVO0wdVW5PwV-23OEYQgyUKfzmfk4ax2YLn6DtT0oIhZ6Olg9qJCelp6oW0PRbQm6KD1Sv8Rf3y5-_UvLVBFoD-Ri_Q/s1600-h/gaudicasavicens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 355px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_aSCGiLO0lUbe6SYJcfh-sxDewTnhYP41hkaYCx8q9aiTAvtUVO0wdVW5PwV-23OEYQgyUKfzmfk4ax2YLn6DtT0oIhZ6Olg9qJCelp6oW0PRbQm6KD1Sv8Rf3y5-_UvLVBFoD-Ri_Q/s400/gaudicasavicens.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377245930973366146" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Casa Vicens, Gaudi’s first major architectural achievement.</em><br /><br />Gaudi found his key patron in Count Eusebi Guell, another industrialist who saw a lot of potential in the young man (although he once told Gaudi, “I don’t like your architecture, I respect it.”) Guell contracted the architect to build some stables and an entry pavilion at the businessman’s palatial compound. Inspired, Guell began to envision something along the lines of what would today be a contemporary gated community. In this case, however, the concept was more of a utopian community for the rich. Unfortunately, Gaudi’s work was not as popular among Barcelona’s wealthy as either man would have liked. Little was done for the project, aside from two houses and a crypt. The two men continued to work together, with Gaudi building the strange Palau Guell as a new residence for the eccentric businessman. The palace was freakish even by today’s standards, surmounted by bright, twisting, bulbous chimneys and wavy rooflines.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvhaEbs0dRu671D0JmQWBW3r4A0rfKKa3mAFSNclUeUwdk6dmhK4ZSfm-aK6Op1VWqW-qmUPfkgsBMoSXQ8Y6N64DkxjCpoav5oIAFGAOeDKZDM3nZResJ61ndCcEYK3d8do3Y8-cy0c/s1600-h/gaudipalauguell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvhaEbs0dRu671D0JmQWBW3r4A0rfKKa3mAFSNclUeUwdk6dmhK4ZSfm-aK6Op1VWqW-qmUPfkgsBMoSXQ8Y6N64DkxjCpoav5oIAFGAOeDKZDM3nZResJ61ndCcEYK3d8do3Y8-cy0c/s400/gaudipalauguell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377245746089343202" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: the roof of the Palau Guell, with Gaudi’s multicolored spires, rough pebbled towers, and extensive brickwork.</em><br /><br />Similar in spirit is Casa Batllo, a home built in 1877 that Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol remodeled and redesigned from 1905 to 1907. The new façade, inspired by the story of St. George and the Dragon, carries images of the tale including a turret and cross that represent the sword plunged into the dragon. The roofline of the building undulates like a dragon’s spine, and the façade is covered in broken mosaic tiles ranging from green to orange. There are very few straight lines visible on the entire surface of the building, the windows are mostly framed in warped ovals, and the very stonework is sculpted into splashes, drips and tapers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3utVeuq8uWA9dZcz0zmLhrhj5BggxCX6bFNjo6W3qdT4Cbgs_pOOBr4zj3lOVnv6mIt3k8ZmeKLjnyMknzZIxDKAWvSd8Gg6aGp4IsrlvzuajWVrOhiNzMK5eHx84m3Wu9xhAT4adknQ/s1600-h/gaudicasabatllo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3utVeuq8uWA9dZcz0zmLhrhj5BggxCX6bFNjo6W3qdT4Cbgs_pOOBr4zj3lOVnv6mIt3k8ZmeKLjnyMknzZIxDKAWvSd8Gg6aGp4IsrlvzuajWVrOhiNzMK5eHx84m3Wu9xhAT4adknQ/s400/gaudicasabatllo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377031090250566034" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: the façade of Casa Batllo.</em><br /><br />In 1882 Gaudi’s religious convictions began to weigh heavily upon his heart. He felt led to build a new monument to God’s glory, one that would be completely unique in the world but reflect the creativity of the Creator. Gaudi began designing La Sagrada Familia as an enormous cathedral with eighteen towers: one each for Mary, Jesus, the twelve apostles, and the four Evangelists of the church. The design includes myriad features out of Christian symbolism, with sheaves of wheat and bunches of grapes to indicate the Eucharist, inscribed words from the liturgy, the traditional symbols of the Gospel writers, and primitive-looking scenes of the Nativity and Passion of Christ. He even put much thought and prayer into the height of the towers; the one representing Jesus will, with its finishing cross on top, measure one meter less than the nearby hill Montjuic because Gaudi did not want his creation to surpass God’s in height.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SYA3kp-6GqhgjNXsbVWYubPNcFU4NcwCGvqU7JoZdy2Lqu7gXgkE-CHOFA1M9VIWgyeloAgOiQPiBhy3KfSlW-kX2xDdoCXnYa-SDkZHecHEt4noj8K85GDO02sozzSWfioYo0yuuBQ/s1600-h/gaudinativityentry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8SYA3kp-6GqhgjNXsbVWYubPNcFU4NcwCGvqU7JoZdy2Lqu7gXgkE-CHOFA1M9VIWgyeloAgOiQPiBhy3KfSlW-kX2xDdoCXnYa-SDkZHecHEt4noj8K85GDO02sozzSWfioYo0yuuBQ/s400/gaudinativityentry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377030949614386290" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: the eastern façade of La Sagrada Familia, representing the Nativity.</em><br /><br />The whole structure of La Sagrada Familia somewhat resembles a melting wax model. Sections of stone seem to ooze like mud from the towers and walls of the cathedral. The spavined arches of the entryway are held up by columns like thighbones and angled as if they will collapse any moment, though they are structurally very sound. The towers, tapered like elegant candles, are perforated with long columns of small windows, and the still-glassless rose windows give an eerie, lacelike effect. It is simply one of the most remarkable architectural achievements in history. Once considered Gaudi’s folly, the church defines the skyline of Barcelona, and much of the Catalonian character.<br /><br />Since Gaudi’s death in 1926, additional designers have had their say in furthering the work on the church. Josip Maria Subirachs’ design for the Passion Façade reflects some elements of Cubism, a style that departed from Gaudi’s Art Nouveau emphasis and stands out distinctly. As time goes on, La Sagrada Familia continues to develop as a unique landmark of religious architecture and Catalonian creativity. Though work isn’t expected to be completed until 2026, the centennial of Gaudi’s death, part of La Sagrada Familia is expected to be opened for church services by September 2010.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG4iFB77NJ7MKWxu-NbZdJ4tKduUBAQIURaU4l1nlZjgGCCJ9N73w2hMAxuKwMAttfv-jtpgEIQd6KCRlT8TjcgqX8pUxVxsqGIynaGDt2pWA-QcFqfE2CNFQrgAkkY_oGgnDm-ck_W4/s1600-h/gaudipassion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG4iFB77NJ7MKWxu-NbZdJ4tKduUBAQIURaU4l1nlZjgGCCJ9N73w2hMAxuKwMAttfv-jtpgEIQd6KCRlT8TjcgqX8pUxVxsqGIynaGDt2pWA-QcFqfE2CNFQrgAkkY_oGgnDm-ck_W4/s400/gaudipassion.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377030716017909426" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Subirachs’ Cubist-inspired design for the Passion Façade.</em><br /><br /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/irlQiGnUuMQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed><br /><br /><em>Above: A graphic artist’s fanciful interpretation of what the Sagrada Familia might be like when it is finally completed, sometime around 2026.</em>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-72930780036894442632009-09-02T14:33:00.001-07:002009-09-05T14:45:37.414-07:00Artist Profile: Hugo Distler<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4orSuQIiaPv9C1jppj6dQnkeKXrRYcpQKPFWC5lDPu0Ev8Vt7NHlLGa5U1eAceIiq6DiFXFu_AvAqo_2ok5GL4daD3jrcm2SBIbq9piW_fJzIDOV6pUTB1swFcyhh33wNu30pGSmq0fY/s1600-h/distlerportrait.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4orSuQIiaPv9C1jppj6dQnkeKXrRYcpQKPFWC5lDPu0Ev8Vt7NHlLGa5U1eAceIiq6DiFXFu_AvAqo_2ok5GL4daD3jrcm2SBIbq9piW_fJzIDOV6pUTB1swFcyhh33wNu30pGSmq0fY/s400/distlerportrait.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376986665025665826" /></a><br /><br />A quiz: This Germanic composer, who died at the young age of 34 of mysterious and dubious causes, was a musical prodigy who showed early genius. His innovative compositions are enjoyed worldwide.<br /><br />Who could this be? If you thought of Mozart, give yourself some credit for knowing music history. But it’s not Mozart, although this particular composer’s life does parallel Mozart’s in some ways (Mozart, by the way, died when he was 36, not 34).<br /><br />No, the man from the first paragraph was a 20th-century composer named Hugo Distler. He is considered to be one of the century’s greatest liturgical composers, yet he is not very well known today. Distler’s great promise as a musical figure ended in tragedy as the Nazi menace grew.<br /><br />Distler was born in Nuremberg on June 24, 1908. Like many German children he was brought up on a rich diet of music and the arts, learning the piano at an early age. He was a teenager in the Weimar Republic era, when the full history of German culture was the predominant subject of public education. As Distler studied piano, organ and composition at the Leipzig Conservatory, the Nazis were just beginning to mass and spread out from Bavaria, corrupting the nationalist vision of the Weimar government into a racist toxin.<br /><br />As German’s finest scientific and artistic minds, from Hindemith to Einstein, were driven out of the country, Distler was young and unknown enough to fly under the Nazi radar. He was placed in charge of the chamber music department at Lubeck Conservatory, an ideal position to explore his new ideas of religious music. He also served as organist in the Church of St. Jacobi in Lubeck, trying out some new material in that venue. In 1933 he married Waltraut Thienhaus and, naively, joined the Nazi Party as many younger Germans who were hopeful for positive change had done.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7l7voe-TQB0&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7l7voe-TQB0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><em>Above: Distler’s organ piece “Christe, Du Lamm Gottes” (“Christ, You Are the Lamb of God”), performed by Ronald Ijmker at Oude St. Helenachurch in Aalten, Holland.</em><br /><br />Distler had a unique vision to change the face of liturgical music in the 20th century, using some modern techniques while retaining the austerity and humility of traditional choral forms. In the spirit of the Biblical “new song”, he sought to develop a modern style for church music that would be accessible to those who did not appreciate the older hymns and monophony. His concepts were best realized in his most popular choral piece, “Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied” (Let the People Sing a New Song). As heard in the recent performance below, Distler magnificently balanced spiritual peacefulness with a modern ear.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3giuemO5iw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z3giuemO5iw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><em>Above: Distler’s “Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied” (Let the People Sing a New Song), performed in April 2009 by the Grand View University Choir, Des Moines, Iowa.</em><br /><br />Distler often set new words to existing folk songs and Reformation tunes, making a bright new creation out of conventional materials. He used simple pentatonic scales in polyphonic structures (melody and one or more harmonies moving together) and colored his tunes with melismas, sliding streams of vocal inflections similar to those used by contemporary R&B singers like Mariah Carey. His first wide acknowledgment as a promising composer came at the 1935 Musiktage in Kassel, where some of his works were debuted to strong acclaim.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OFoDbuFKLVI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OFoDbuFKLVI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><em>Above: Distler’s “Totentanz” (Dance of Death), performed in 1992 by the Kammerchor Munsterland.</em><br /><br />As happened with many German visionaries, Distler and his art were soon labeled as “degenerate” by the Nazi Party. The Brown Shirts not only sought to eliminate the voice of the church in Germany, but also to suppress any and all forms of art that departed from the respected, traditional styles of the Fatherland. As a contemporary liturgical composer, Distler thus became a target on both counts. He was not only oppressed personally, but suffered as his friends and family members were either killed, deported or forced into the Nazi military ranks. Desperate to avoid his own conscription into the army, recognizing the true evils of Nazism as they were, Distler committed suicide on November 1, 1942, by blowing out the pilot light of his gas oven and suffocating himself.<br /><br />Today Distler is known for a collection of twenty-one existing works, including some multi-part choral pieces, organ partitas, piano duos and an adventurous string quartet. His music, and the story of his life, have continued to endure and inspire the German people and the world. In 1992 he finally received some overdue recognition from the German government, when a 100-pfennig postage stamp was issued in Distler’s honor. His works continue to be performed and recorded around the globe, though not always in his beloved churches.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB7MTS7UeiTQqhM0aazaziW_X3KSKVlFjTulR_ZSMv5rEJJ6OT3cT25EBlSCDZ0HMYrWrCNGari_eSVzZV4mjIV2r0PCa_E-iKeN3r8ouaAZ1y4n_VvSTD7zjVFOmWXKazoOnQkzQBh0/s1600-h/distlerstamp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB7MTS7UeiTQqhM0aazaziW_X3KSKVlFjTulR_ZSMv5rEJJ6OT3cT25EBlSCDZ0HMYrWrCNGari_eSVzZV4mjIV2r0PCa_E-iKeN3r8ouaAZ1y4n_VvSTD7zjVFOmWXKazoOnQkzQBh0/s400/distlerstamp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376986538102236562" /></a><br /><br />Here are links to our prior artist profiles:<br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/artist-profile-debora-iyall.html">Debora Iyall</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/local-profile-david-carranza-jr.html">David Carranza, Jr.</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/artist-profile-albrecht-durer.html">Albrecht Durer</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-profile-rev-howard-finster.html">Rev. Howard Finster</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/local-profile-remembering-sam-maloof.html">Sam Maloof</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/artist-profile-thomas-blackshear.html">Thomas Blackshear</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-he-qi-gives-different-perspective.html">Dr. He Qi</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-profile-sandra-bowden.html">Sandra Bowden</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/laura-kramer-and-psalm-23-jewelry.html">Laura Kramer (Psalm 23 Jewelry)</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/artist-profile-chris-schlarb-takes-new.html">Chris Schlarb</a><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/nick-metcalf-pastor-performer-artisan.html">Nick Metcalf</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-lynn-yoder-passion-for.html">Lynn Yoder</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-john-drumbo-french.html">John "Drumbo" French</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/local-profile-studio-on-location.html">Studio on Location</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/dagger-project.html">The Dagger Project</a></div> <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/amazing-grace-true-story-really.html">John Newton</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-iris-vincent-van-gogh-and-how.html">Vincent van Gogh</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-74529829307313157332009-09-02T13:39:00.000-07:002009-09-05T14:44:53.700-07:00Artist Profile: Debora Iyall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgsFAvcUwqPqNrOvnNgPkCVMZP8oSCixwCnxrclhuMIKJhKGGYzdLjAuAP4nLkzw12ihqY1QQoF40PRvR2GGUG-K1-am5ZqsoJwP7uNQUWFrPqW7ljTp6p2Le9i8XrX82dCtUt9OFgz4/s1600-h/deboraiyall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 295px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgsFAvcUwqPqNrOvnNgPkCVMZP8oSCixwCnxrclhuMIKJhKGGYzdLjAuAP4nLkzw12ihqY1QQoF40PRvR2GGUG-K1-am5ZqsoJwP7uNQUWFrPqW7ljTp6p2Le9i8XrX82dCtUt9OFgz4/s400/deboraiyall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376973435354994402" /></a><br /><center><em>Above: Debora Iyall. Photo by Billy Douglas.</em></center><br /><br />One of the ubiquitous radio hits of the early 1980s was spawned by a most unlikely band. Romeo Void was a phenomenally strange punk outfit fronted by a chunky, fierce-looking young woman who half-sang, half-snarled their songs. In 1981 they hit the charts with “Never Say Never”, a violent, suggestive anthem of the punk-era sexual revolution. A few years later they followed up with “A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)”, a response to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” that leaves the listener wondering whether the girl has an abortion or keeps the baby when she “takes care of business”.<br /><br />Fast forward to 2009, when elegant-looking Debora Iyall is busily working in her art studio in Citrus Heights, California. Married to sound engineer Patrick Haight, Iyall still carries a bit of that punk flair but, by and large, isn’t the type of lady you’d have expected to howl about sex with old men. She has become one of the most respected visual artists and art instructors in the state today, and has a firm connection with the Inland Empire.<br /><br />In 1954, Debora Kay Iyallwahawa was born of Cowlitz Native American heritage in Soap Lake, Washington. She was brought up in Fresno and attended the San Francisco Art Institute in the 1970s. Iyallwahawa experimented with poetry, sound, performance and visual arts, sometimes incorporating Native American references into her works. Her friends at the school included musicians Peter Woods, Jay Derrah and Frank Zincavage, who talked the young artist into forming a band with them. She trimmed her surname down to Iyall (pronounced like “Hi, y’all”) and became the frontwoman of Romeo Void. Inspired by then-huge British bands like Joy Division and Gang of Four, the band added saxophonist Benjamin Bossi to bring a free-jazz flavor to their infectious, hammering music.<br /><br />Romeo Void recorded their first album, <em>It’s a Condition</em>, for the local 415 Records label, home to other Bay Area punkers like Translator, Wire Train and Red Rockers. The record was packed with powerful songs about the denial of emotion, using sex as escape, and the hardships of modern life. On “White Sweater” Iyall muses about the clothes her sister wore when she committed suicide, while “Myself to Myself” (video below) speaks of withdrawing from society.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nGjFxcrhzMA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nGjFxcrhzMA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Cars frontman Ric Ocasek got wind of the album while on tour and invited the band to his studio in Boston. Under his producer’s hand Romeo Void recorded the EP <em>Never Say Never</em>, which was released on Columbia Records and gave them their first major national exposure. On tour the band’s brand of spectacle, with their oddball saxophone and portly, ferocious frontwoman, earned them a sizeable audience. There was, quite simply, nothing else like them on the market.<br /><br />Romeo Void continued to record and tour into the mid-1980s. <em>Benefactor</em>, their 1982 album, kept up the punk mode of the first releases, but in 1984 they went in a more accessible direction with <em>Instincts</em>. Bossi’s saxophone was less harsh and Iyall’s singing became more melodic as well. Her anger was tempered by resignation and perhaps even a sense of hope. Despite reaching the Top 40 with “A Girl in Trouble (Is a Temporary Thing)”, the band suffered internal tensions and broke up in 1985.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/E-TJ6ahX-Vc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/E-TJ6ahX-Vc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Debora Iyall recorded her only solo album, <em>Strange Language</em>, the following year for Columbia. It didn’t fare well in the marketplace, due more to changing public tastes than to the vivid performances. She took a step back from the music business and returned to the visual arts, becoming an acclaimed painter, printmaker and instructor. For more than a decade Iyall taught art at the Palm Desert satellite campus of Cal State San Bernardino and at the 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery, holding regular exhibits of her own works and those of her students. She came back in touch with her Native American heritage at this point, working those references into her prints while embracing the beauty of the Desert Southwest. At times she presented workshops as an artist-in-residence in San Bernardino, creating pieces like the one shown below, “San B Nights”. Of this piece Iyall says, “I wanted to show a narrative work done in a monochromatic color scheme, that may be considered ‘tight’ and is appropriate for high school. I wanted to present an evocative four-directions composition with radiant lines around a portrait. Beyond my intentions it reflects an essence of my reality.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcfV3QhwaLG4zvjhg2ViJlUHQAbUlKGUCuDtA9yA5aqcN5IsmcE3yOQbcJZslfUqRL8AsB-bO3w74WOoMPaHSKkzotRiuXTWMqgJd3qY9OGZXsXOc453b4zQhyB3KY0B8rz7T-b2chAI/s1600-h/iyallsanbnights.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcfV3QhwaLG4zvjhg2ViJlUHQAbUlKGUCuDtA9yA5aqcN5IsmcE3yOQbcJZslfUqRL8AsB-bO3w74WOoMPaHSKkzotRiuXTWMqgJd3qY9OGZXsXOc453b4zQhyB3KY0B8rz7T-b2chAI/s400/iyallsanbnights.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376973199582563986" /></a><br /><br /><center><em>Above: Debora Iyall, “San B Nights”, acrylic.</em></center><br /><br />Iyall’s specialties include monotypes, a process that produces a single print from a flat painted or inked plate, and relief prints, in which the raised surfaces of a carved or incised block are inked or painted to produce a print. She has created a number of strikingly beautiful monotypes in the subtle palettes of the Southwest Desert, as well as many monochrome and two-tone relief prints.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFIPAUm_fdfllx88Nc0ipj0EjQbFkWbQvdk23xqFfbyFcKpYBFNJDWakNTBfnBkfeKInthH0_Y6TLfo-OiwgdsPJbQEcxcWWnYXdO2FMVH6PkHhV3mjeZTJvxhfzZ1rPy6OHgiyq0MD4/s1600-h/iyallskymountain.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFIPAUm_fdfllx88Nc0ipj0EjQbFkWbQvdk23xqFfbyFcKpYBFNJDWakNTBfnBkfeKInthH0_Y6TLfo-OiwgdsPJbQEcxcWWnYXdO2FMVH6PkHhV3mjeZTJvxhfzZ1rPy6OHgiyq0MD4/s400/iyallskymountain.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376972968521424370" /></a><br /><br /><center><em>Above: Debora Iyall, "Sky/Mountain", monotype, 2005, 29 Palms Creative Center</em></center><br /><br />From 2006 to 2008, Iyall worked as an art instructor for the Navajo Nation in Arizona, teaching young Native American students to express their heritage, spirituality and life experiences through visual and performing arts. In 2009 she and Haight moved to Citrus Heights when he obtained a teaching position in audio engineering at Pinnacle College. Iyall is presently continuing to create artworks, teaching as a private instructor, and seeking a more regular teaching position in the area.<br /><br />Iyall has continued to make music as well. In 1999 she formed Knife in Water, a duo with guitarist Peter Dunne. In 2004 Romeo Void got back together for an acclaimed episode of VH1’s series “Bands Reunited”. In 2006, while completing her master’s degree in art at Portland’s Lewis and Clark College, Iyall began collaborating with local musicians in Nvr Say Nvr, revisiting Romeo Void’s music and other original and cover material. September 2009 marks her tour as a solo artist alongside Wire Train and Translator, two reunited bands from the old days of 415 Records. She continues to be a dynamic, multi-faceted, always engaging creative artist.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_C78Q6eFqn9XpBujLGe4mCBsJtsYyeoUBVc8F9uBrdgGTTBZz4VwHJpmu7SRQVUk7Oa_YQimXh39dVtr30trFrpLqT6c2DNjqPvsvtJ5OCZOeh4brwJNq5kSno67a81kPalBWrfedUU/s1600-h/iyallcornsprings.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_C78Q6eFqn9XpBujLGe4mCBsJtsYyeoUBVc8F9uBrdgGTTBZz4VwHJpmu7SRQVUk7Oa_YQimXh39dVtr30trFrpLqT6c2DNjqPvsvtJ5OCZOeh4brwJNq5kSno67a81kPalBWrfedUU/s400/iyallcornsprings.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376972681669470610" /></a><br /><center><em>Above: relief print, inspired by a Native American full moon gathering at Corn Springs Wash in the Chuckwalla Mountains of Riverside County, northeast of the Salton Sea.</em></center><br /><br /><br />Here are links to our prior artist profiles:<br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/09/artist-profile-hugo-distler.html">Hugo Distler</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/local-profile-david-carranza-jr.html">David Carranza, Jr.</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/artist-profile-albrecht-durer.html">Albrecht Durer</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-profile-rev-howard-finster.html">Rev. Howard Finster</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/local-profile-remembering-sam-maloof.html">Sam Maloof</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/artist-profile-thomas-blackshear.html">Thomas Blackshear</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-he-qi-gives-different-perspective.html">Dr. He Qi</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-profile-sandra-bowden.html">Sandra Bowden</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/laura-kramer-and-psalm-23-jewelry.html">Laura Kramer (Psalm 23 Jewelry)</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/artist-profile-chris-schlarb-takes-new.html">Chris Schlarb</a><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/nick-metcalf-pastor-performer-artisan.html">Nick Metcalf</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-lynn-yoder-passion-for.html">Lynn Yoder</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-john-drumbo-french.html">John "Drumbo" French</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/local-profile-studio-on-location.html">Studio on Location</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/dagger-project.html">The Dagger Project</a></div> <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/amazing-grace-true-story-really.html">John Newton</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-iris-vincent-van-gogh-and-how.html">Vincent van Gogh</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-60775065321396532992009-09-02T13:19:00.000-07:002009-09-05T14:41:50.809-07:00Poetry Corner: Morning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOOnjGl-cF9Q_ZTard0wxVMEvZ7d4XLEaxxErlnwQnMX3ef1ZLmA2WKM-HBtW68JtkrsMDaFEzCmHUxzemRjhU87e7MpShjw1WKkqhf2Guden-UaEBZQOhPqsIDUAFdN0NKpTmECwrgo/s1600-h/morning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOOnjGl-cF9Q_ZTard0wxVMEvZ7d4XLEaxxErlnwQnMX3ef1ZLmA2WKM-HBtW68JtkrsMDaFEzCmHUxzemRjhU87e7MpShjw1WKkqhf2Guden-UaEBZQOhPqsIDUAFdN0NKpTmECwrgo/s400/morning.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376968681515969970" /></a><br /><center><strong>MORNING</strong><br /><br />Darkness-<br />Once dressed in regal, velvety robes<br />and a sneering haughty manner<br />trudges along<br />in an ill-fitting gray garment<br />glancing at the faint glow<br />on the distant horizon.<br /><br />The soft crimson aura of first light<br />declares his defeat and dethronement.<br /><br />He rolls small beady eyes in exasperation<br />the urge to rule still aches<br />like a phantom limb.<br /><br />Dawn arrives, attired in delicate pink<br />Lifts her arms<br />and offers up a thankful song.<br /><br />It’s the morning of the third day.</center><br /><br /><em>Jim Cox is a poet and short-story writer from Colton, California.</em><br /><br />Here are some of the other poems we have posted in prior issues:<br /><br />To see August's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/poetry-corner-childrens-party_17.html">click here</a><br />To see July's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/poetry-corner-nations-strength.html">click here</a>.<br />To see June's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/poetry-corner-o-sweet-irrational.html">click here</a>.<br />To see May's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetry-corner-gods-world.html">click here</a>.<br />To see April's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/poetry-corner-unselfish-love.html">click here. </a><br />To see March's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/gods-grandeur-poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see February's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/februarys-poetry-corner.html">click here</a>.<br />To see January's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see the poem for December, 2008, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/heavens-snowflake-by-wendy-kohlhoff-so.html">click here</a>.<br />To read a poem by Steve Turner, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/work-bench-book-club-update-january.html">click here</a>.</p>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-91380541105485562792009-08-17T14:57:00.000-07:002009-08-17T14:59:47.090-07:00August 2009 Artists Work B.e.n.c.h.Welcome to the e-magazine/blog for Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h., the Inland Empire's Christian fine arts organization! We hope you will find this to be a useful, enjoyable and worthwhile resource. <br /><br />We have created a survey that we would like you to participate in when you have a couple of moments. We want to get a feel for how our members are already using their artistic talents in the community, and what obstacles are still out there for Christian artists. We appreciate your assistance, as we hope to use this as a tool to improve Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h. and develop more ideas for events, networking, education and other matters. The survey is at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WPDz57k2KEwNQPFt14t4Gw_3d_3d">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=WPDz57k2KEwNQPFt14t4Gw_3d_3d</a><br /><br />Here are the newest items in the Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h. blog. Just click on the titles to go to the articles:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-cafe.html">The Cafe for August 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/poetry-corner-childrens-party_17.html">Poetry Corner: Children's Party</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/christian-songwriters-showcase-moving.html">Christian Songwriters' Showcase Has a New Home <em>and</em> a New Date</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/book-club-it-was-good-making-art-to.html">Third Quarter Bookclub Selection - It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/fine-arts-bible-study-10.html">Fine Arts Bible Study 10</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-happenings.html">August Happenings: Artistic Events around the Inland Empire</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/artist-profile-albrecht-durer.html">Artist Profile: Albrecht Durer</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/local-profile-david-carranza-jr.html">Local Artist Profile: David Carranza, Jr.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/master-class-photographing-water.html">Master Class: Photographing Water</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/08/circle-round-fire-inspiration-of-native.html">The Inspiration of Native American Dance</a><br /><br /><br />So, brew a cup of coffee, herbal tea, or whatever you like, and stay a while. This page will be updated monthly with new articles and interviews. Enjoy!You are part of a growing group.<br /><br />What is Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h? This is a place for Christian artists in the Inland Empire of Southern California to mix, network, relax, share, and learn. What types of Christian artists?<br /><br />1. Visual arts (sculpture, painting, glass blowing, etc.)<br />2. Dance (performing, choreography, etc. )<br />3. Music (playing, writing, learning, singing, etc.)<br />4. Creative writing (poetry, stories, etc.)<br />5. Drama/theater (acting, playwriting, directing, etc.)<br />6. ??????<br /><br />Artists Work B.e.n.c.h. is for Christian artists: simply, people who are Christians and who are also artists. Some Christian artists make art exclusively for Christians, but many use their talents in secular ways as well (writing screenplays for television, jingles, playing in a philharmonic orchestra, acting in a community theater, displaying their paintings in a gallery, etc.) All are welcome here.<br /><br />Christians follow the Creator of the Universe, and therefore should be the most creative people in the world. The church has historically been the patron of great artists. Hildegard, the writer of the very first opera, was a nun. Michelangelo, Donatello, Edward Hicks, and many others made art for church and used church subjects.<br /><br />But, today, Christian art is not considered "forward" or "interesting" in many circles. This reputation is well-deserved in most cases. Christian art has become a punchline. In our own little way we hope to change some of that perception.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p>What does Artist's Work B.e.n.c.h. stand for?</p><p>B=BUILD new Christian artists, ministries, avenues.</p><p>E=ENCOURAGE Christian artists to use their talents.</p><p>N=NETWORK with Christian artists, churches.</p><p>C=COORDINATE opportunities for Christian artists to use/exhibit their talents.</p><p>H=HELP Christian artists and help churches utilize artists.</p></blockquote><br />This group is for people who fit one or more of these categories:<br />1.) Just starting out<br />2.) Being used mightily for God<br />3.) Frustrated<br />4.) Seasoned professional<br />5.) Curious<br />6.) Talented amateur<br />7.) Wanting to learn/improve<br />8.) Not sure if God can use your talent<br />9.) Good enough to teach others<br />10.) Wondering if your talent (flower arranging, calligraphy, photography, etc.) even qualifies as art.<br /><br />Christian artists--unite! Let's be creative, interesting, and forward thinking enough to lead the artistic world, while still making quality pieces that reflect our worldview.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/"><br /><img border="0" alt="Free Hit Counter" src="http://www.easycounter.com/counter.php?epistrophy" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/">Free Hit Counters</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-29946146199843155812009-08-17T14:56:00.001-07:002009-08-17T14:56:46.881-07:00Poetry Corner: Children's PartyJust because the Dog Days of Summer find us in a silly mood...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HhD501AFm93hgAAk5NAdSrpPgJh9pKAQ4S6pZ1tBiyY3pG76dMId7TQbuS2MBLXxIireTg0Os6PDOsGMEg0JKyKumIjGjsCmY03HUXGMLn9Z1k7ITIZVgmrdFwBn-c2a7l5LJ7Q6Hl4/s1600-h/doghouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HhD501AFm93hgAAk5NAdSrpPgJh9pKAQ4S6pZ1tBiyY3pG76dMId7TQbuS2MBLXxIireTg0Os6PDOsGMEg0JKyKumIjGjsCmY03HUXGMLn9Z1k7ITIZVgmrdFwBn-c2a7l5LJ7Q6Hl4/s320/doghouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365814100874897106" /></a><br /><br /><br />May I join you in the doghouse, Rover?<br />I wish to retire till the party's over.<br />Since three o'clock I've done my best<br />To entertain each tiny guest. My conscience now I've left behind me,<br />And if they want me, let them find me.<br />I blew their bubbles, I sailed their boats,<br />I kept them from each other's throats. I told them tales of magic lands,<br />I took them out to wash their hands.<br />I sorted their rubbers and tied their laces,<br />I wiped their noses and dried their faces. Of similarities there's lots<br />Twixt tiny tots and Hottentots.<br />I've earned repose to heal the ravages<br />Of these angelic-looking savages. Oh, progeny playing by itself<br />Is a lonely little elf,<br />But progeny in roistering batches<br />Would drive St. francis from here to Natchez. Shunned are the games a parent proposes,<br />They prefer to squirt each other with hoses,<br />Their playmates are their natural foemen<br />And they like to poke each other's abdomen. Their joy needs another's woes to cushion it,<br />Say a puddle, and someone littler to push in it.<br />They observe with glee the ballistic results<br />Of ice cream with spoons for catapults, And inform the assembly with tears and glares<br />That everyone's presents are better than theirs.<br />Oh, little women and little men,<br />Someday I hope to love you again, But not till after the party's over,<br />So give me the key to the doghouse, Rover.<br /><br />by Ogden Nash<br /><br />To read the master class on writing poetry, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />Below are previous poems we have published on this site.<br />To see July's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/poetry-corner-nations-strength.html">click here</a>.<br />To see June's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/poetry-corner-o-sweet-irrational.html">click here</a>.<br />To see May's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetry-corner-gods-world.html">click here</a>.<br />To see April's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/poetry-corner-unselfish-love.html">click here. </a><br />To see March's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/gods-grandeur-poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see February's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/februarys-poetry-corner.html">click here</a>.<br />To see January's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see the poem for December, 2008, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/heavens-snowflake-by-wendy-kohlhoff-so.html">click here</a>.<br />To read a poem by Steve Turner, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/work-bench-book-club-update-january.html">click here</a>.</p>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-77513374257576883402009-08-03T12:29:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:12:01.483-07:00Book Club: It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of GodOur Artists’ Work B.e.n.c.h. Book Club selection for the third quarter of 2009 is a profoundly inspirational collection of essays entitled <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Was-Good-Making-Art-Glory/dp/0978509714/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246030136&sr=8-1">It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God</a></em>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_XGmFMroKeh1dW-Q_NLwgndnCvGCTevWBNN0k72XaWbgi3jzaVYGI5udYNrEyESoDyKhinpxbczWrAe69ERV0oG2D0kJSuqJ88DiX4zEq2jkJUr0i2SoFz-KbrBw_BVTpfvS4NfZvA/s1600-h/It-was-Good-cover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi_XGmFMroKeh1dW-Q_NLwgndnCvGCTevWBNN0k72XaWbgi3jzaVYGI5udYNrEyESoDyKhinpxbczWrAe69ERV0oG2D0kJSuqJ88DiX4zEq2jkJUr0i2SoFz-KbrBw_BVTpfvS4NfZvA/s320/It-was-Good-cover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354444711836483650" /></a><br /><br />Edited by Ned Bustard and published by <a href="http://www.squarehalobooks.com/">Square Halo Books</a>, this marvelous collection discusses subjects like conveying the concepts of good and evil in art, developing a sense of community, beauty, substance, mission, truth and many other issues of importance to the Christian artist. The contributors include:<br /><br />Ned Bustard, founder of the graphic arts company <a href="http://www.worldsendimages.com/">World’s End Images</a>, author of <a href="http://www.veritaspress.com/">children’s educational books</a>, and artistic director for Square Halo Books;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.charliepeacock.com">Charlie Peacock</a>, award-winning musician, composer, author and producer;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sandrabowden.com">Sandra Bowden</a>, founder of <a href="http://www.civa.org">Christians In the Visual Arts</a>, whose vivid artworks were featured in <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-profile-sandra-bowden.html">a recent Work B.e.n.c.h. issue</a>;<br /><br />Makato Fujimura, cross-cultural painter and founder of the <a href="http://www.iamny.org">International Arts Movement</a>;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rogerfeldman.com/">Roger Feldman</a>, large-scale multimedia artist;<br /><br /><a href="http://www.edknippers.com/">Edward Knippers</a>, painter renowned for his compassionate but stunning depictions of the human form;<br /><br />and several other artists across many disciplines. Here’s what the publisher has to say about <em>It Was Good</em>:<br /><br /><blockquote>“The Christian looks at the world through the eyes of one who has a restored relationship with the Creator, and receives a new vision affecting every area of life—including the creative process. So what does it mean to be a creative individual who is a follower of the creative God? <em>It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God </em>seeks to answer that question through a series of essays which offer theoretical and practical insights into artmaking from a Christian perspective. The Christian worldview is foundational to the approach a believer in Christ takes to making art and artmaking inevitably raises difficult questions. This book offers aid in developing some of the internal tools needed to work through those questions, and so to glorify and enjoy God while trying to speak with a clear and relevant voice to a fallen world.”</blockquote><br /><br />Please note that we will be working with the 2007 expanded edition of the book, not the earlier, smaller edition. The updated edition doubles the number of essays and should be considered an essential resource for any Christian artist.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-60872856679252520432009-08-03T10:42:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:11:35.739-07:00August CafeHere are some links to get the ideas swirling in your brain. Perhaps one of these will give you a great idea for a dance or a painting...or maybe it will just be a diversion with a few interesting links. <br /><br />August birthstone- peridot<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaTkF661E2J4Kxu6psSJH6NXqzLj8uWkjlcbLeU0oNieJKbTpYcRSYtX5L2nrFj-yMU_GX0b1iqBN57gVXKu64HYf-pbt9SGt62H-zpkXkDfkv7CBNvllBCkm2Hz-bgU3uduyl23SFIg/s1600-h/peridot.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidaTkF661E2J4Kxu6psSJH6NXqzLj8uWkjlcbLeU0oNieJKbTpYcRSYtX5L2nrFj-yMU_GX0b1iqBN57gVXKu64HYf-pbt9SGt62H-zpkXkDfkv7CBNvllBCkm2Hz-bgU3uduyl23SFIg/s200/peridot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795556728493858" /></a><br /><br />August Flower- Gladiolas<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva0-fAQ-P4EN_3hdP7oyZIds0SrIWQE6M80zzeMQ9uZtbTibmloYrtWE-7pqr6URwjq-3Q6qYqyxmY6idPX4X4X58zXkDZRe9Fd8krjbjmtkQIXmL-hOEzCob1ljYHxkyO2XoZfKJZs0/s1600-h/glad2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjva0-fAQ-P4EN_3hdP7oyZIds0SrIWQE6M80zzeMQ9uZtbTibmloYrtWE-7pqr6URwjq-3Q6qYqyxmY6idPX4X4X58zXkDZRe9Fd8krjbjmtkQIXmL-hOEzCob1ljYHxkyO2XoZfKJZs0/s200/glad2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365795736325364882" /></a><br /><br />August 1- National Mustard Day <br />Did you know that the Napa Valley Mustard Festival sponsors an annual art contest? They give monetary prizes and also display artwork and photography for sale. Unfortunately for many Work B.e.n.c.h. members, artists have to live in Northern California. Still, it’s a good collection of marketable art that is made by contemporary artists. To view the 2009 and past winners, or to find out more about entering, click here: <a href="http://www.mustardfestival.org/art.html">http://www.mustardfestival.org/art.html</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31eCoIqQzBL5-Gt0O77w9MKt5vrk-ucvTRUOWCxG5baX-ctefamXiXGXfBJyek07_uI644TmR1w4-AS8zY4UtE43TaYKUQY7c7gjisdcp2btaOjAf5goN3MjM7aGO3NubgBvwDVGCAVo/s1600-h/cafe+mustard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31eCoIqQzBL5-Gt0O77w9MKt5vrk-ucvTRUOWCxG5baX-ctefamXiXGXfBJyek07_uI644TmR1w4-AS8zY4UtE43TaYKUQY7c7gjisdcp2btaOjAf5goN3MjM7aGO3NubgBvwDVGCAVo/s320/cafe+mustard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796155187892162" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />And, before leaving the subject of mustard, here is a local company that makes some really good mustard. You can order it over the internet. They’re out of Grand Terrace, and they do free local delivery (within reason). <a href="http://www.wildbillscountrymustard.com/about_us.htm">http://www.wildbillscountrymustard.com/about_us.htm</a><br /><br />August 2 International Forgiveness Day <br />Forgiveness is an integral part of the Gospel message. One Buddhist I know who killed a man during the Vietnam War was quite intrigued by Jesus’ claims to wash away sin. For some other takes on Forgiveness, click here: <a href="http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_forgiveness.html">http://www.wisdomquotes.com/cat_forgiveness.html</a> At this site, you will find quotes and quips on forgiveness, including this Emily Dickenson poem:<br /><br /><blockquote>All but Death, can be Adjusted—<br />Dynasties repaired—<br />Systems—settled in their Sockets—<br />Citadels—dissolved—<br /><br />Wastes of Lives—resown with Colors<br />By Succeeding Springs—<br />Death—unto itself—Exception—<br />Is exempt from Change—</blockquote><br /><br />August 3- National Watermelon Day <br />What does a watermelon have to do with art? Check out this website with many intricate and amazingly difficult carvings. Click here <a href="http://www.americade.info/melons1.htm">http://www.americade.info/melons1.htm</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc5B66y4s4TeAnvVO6qsR59sQ72kKEXNY_LvzkiX4pGpbMM-FrEWIcGxvEMoJ5Y8bW1L3Q5Yupe4vk45lhddmo0uhceG4aJznh3GaSAGFnsEuPdg4ff5WnM4TZHmSZldiA_dgeVO_aKQ/s1600-h/cafe+watermelon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc5B66y4s4TeAnvVO6qsR59sQ72kKEXNY_LvzkiX4pGpbMM-FrEWIcGxvEMoJ5Y8bW1L3Q5Yupe4vk45lhddmo0uhceG4aJznh3GaSAGFnsEuPdg4ff5WnM4TZHmSZldiA_dgeVO_aKQ/s320/cafe+watermelon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365796773040848498" /></a><br /><br />August 5 Work Like a Dog Day <br />Maybe work like a dog day seems like it’s every day. Today, why don’t you find out about actual dogs who work. Did you know that Perris has an organization called Canine Support Teams, where they train and match service dogs to people who have disabilities other than blindness? Click here to see their website: <a href="http://www.caninesupportteams.org/">http://www.caninesupportteams.org/</a><br /><br /><br />August 7- National Lighthouse Day <br />Want to see a lighthouse up close? Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which is just north of Santa Cruz, has a hostel connected to it. You can stay in a dorm room for $23, or reserve a private room for you and your family for around $100. Click here for information <a href="http://norcalhostels.org/pigeon/rates/">http://norcalhostels.org/pigeon/rates/</a><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FacZY-mnDSM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FacZY-mnDSM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />August 9 Book Lover's Day <br />Tom Bendtsen, a Canadian artist, has made some pretty amazing large-scale sculptures out of books. Check it out at:<br /><a href="http://www.tombendtsen.com/Arguments/index.html ">http://www.tombendtsen.com/Arguments/index.html </a> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1A2sI5Kgrnesu4tJ07bo5issLLOV0Fvd5SAo7F-kYvRSA2kOpd3LTho29iUqwK63BNsp4uECAE_R_VfxcDYC0rxgh8UhF0GKpDhlfnziMO-yQtRSuM-rxJP7ODBPIC_zo98XCfK3ddtU/s1600-h/cafe+book.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1A2sI5Kgrnesu4tJ07bo5issLLOV0Fvd5SAo7F-kYvRSA2kOpd3LTho29iUqwK63BNsp4uECAE_R_VfxcDYC0rxgh8UhF0GKpDhlfnziMO-yQtRSuM-rxJP7ODBPIC_zo98XCfK3ddtU/s320/cafe+book.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797303494002322" /></a><br /><br />August 10 National S'mores Day <br />Check out this link for creative ways to get that s’mores taste, such as a s’mores sundae, or s’mores fudge. <a href="http://celebrations.com/lifeoftheparty/?p=993">http://celebrations.com/lifeoftheparty/?p=993</a><br /><br /><br />August 11 Presidential Joke Day <br />On August 11, 1984, just before his regular Saturday radio address, President Ronald Reagan was doing a voice test with the microphone. He thought the microphone and the feed was not live. He joked into the microphone: "My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes." To his surprise, he was speaking to a live feed!<br /><br /><br />August 13 Left Hander's Day <br />Below is a video of Romanian Luthier Gliga’s mastery of making left handed violins, cellos, and other stringed instruments. If you are interested in finding out how to purchase one of these beautiful instruments, which start at only $538 click here <a href="http://www.violinslover.com/lefthandedviolins4_4.php">http://www.violinslover.com/lefthandedviolins4_4.php</a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2V-YjNPWRsQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2V-YjNPWRsQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br /> <br />August- 14/15 V-J Day – <br />On August 14, Hirohito, Emperor of Japan during World War II surrendered. News spread throughout the United States and the world. Today, the date passes mostly without significance, except the occasional reference at the end of the nightly news, but it’s significance lives on in history. You probably know someone, a grandfather perhaps, who fought in World War II. Why don’t you call this person up and talk to him/her about the war experience. For more information on VJ Day and World War II in general, click here <a href="http://www.history.com/content/vjday/vj-day-photos">http://www.history.com/content/vjday/vj-day-photos</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iqkIeT8jiqtnkdVe6LYYaX9Hasm_iW4OS5WWlDP3iptc7l6GvF_kTwUbRiFoZjnnFibzyuE-u0smP-c47Fxy3OWOtVmTE5AmX_Z9S6SPhjGP2EMhU4dPvnh22czmCrI0BxHY_heQtkA/s1600-h/cafe+vj+day.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iqkIeT8jiqtnkdVe6LYYaX9Hasm_iW4OS5WWlDP3iptc7l6GvF_kTwUbRiFoZjnnFibzyuE-u0smP-c47Fxy3OWOtVmTE5AmX_Z9S6SPhjGP2EMhU4dPvnh22czmCrI0BxHY_heQtkA/s320/cafe+vj+day.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365797820037906082" /></a><br /><br />August 17 National Thriftshop Day <br />Who can resist listening to a song with lyrics like this:<br />Everyday when I go to school people say I look like a fool<br />They don’t like the way I dress<br />Hey! I don’t wear pants made by Guess.<br />Plaid pants aren’t too funny, I bought these with yesterday’s lunch money. <br />They only cost $1.92.<br /><br />I don’t care, I’ll be back there tomorrow, I won’t drown in your sorrow.<br />Maybe I’ll have enough for two, maybe I’ll buy a pair for you!<br />Go ahead and laugh, I won’t get mad. This shirt used to be your dad’s.<br /><br />The ska-punk band Voodoo Glow Skulls out of Riverside, CA recorded this song. Listen to it here: <a href="http://www.rhapsody.com/voodoo-glow-skulls/firme/thrift-shop-junkie/lyrics.html">http://www.rhapsody.com/voodoo-glow-skulls/firme/thrift-shop-junkie/lyrics.html</a><br /><br /><br />August 18 Bad Poetry Day <br />Here’s your chance to get back at your high school English teacher. Relish bad poetry and recite it until your heart’s content! Put a short bad poem in your kids’ lunch boxes so they can read it at school and horrify their teachers. Send an e-mail to all of your friends with a bad poem in it. Go to a restaurant and tip a waiter an extra amount to have him read a bad poem to your significant other. If you can’t write bad poetry of your own, click here and borrow one of these: <a href="http://homepages.wmich.edu/~cooneys/poems/bad/index.html">http://homepages.wmich.edu/~cooneys/poems/bad/index.html</a><br /><br /><br />To read last month’s master class about how to write better poetry, click here (not today, though, because today is Bad Poetry Day). <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html</a><br /><br />August 20- Qi Xi- Chinese Valentine's Day. <br /><br />This day is arranged by the Lunar calendar, so it falls on a different day in the summer each year. Click here to learn about traditions, stories, and ideas for how to celebrate this day. <a href="http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/137956.htm">http://www.china.org.cn/english/culture/137956.htm</a> Below is how to write, "I Love You" in Mandarine (Chinese). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_uu9z217i96Y_u0BarbKgvERYHASZLAYESY0kOQqQZCxnVn4ox-d57XmbkF0cCLymq0HqP54TZFCpAsK02fUoGaEP1Jn1xynLi0Y8bPxlwzKh_KZSUJlAXXlx0LGRRRUU2RWhx5V0j0/s1600-h/i+love+you+chinese.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_uu9z217i96Y_u0BarbKgvERYHASZLAYESY0kOQqQZCxnVn4ox-d57XmbkF0cCLymq0HqP54TZFCpAsK02fUoGaEP1Jn1xynLi0Y8bPxlwzKh_KZSUJlAXXlx0LGRRRUU2RWhx5V0j0/s200/i+love+you+chinese.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365802652160804978" /></a><br /><br />August 23- Ride the Wind Day<br /><br />How do you ride the wind? Take a motorcycle ride, fly in an airplane or glider, fly a kite, ride in a sailboat, drive a convertible with the top down, or just take a walk in the cooler evening breeze. Celebrate the waning days of summer by just enjoying the weather. For artistic inspiration, you will find 30 works of art that pertain to the sky, wind, or air. Click here: <a href="http://webecoist.com/2008/12/21/air-sky-wind-art/">http://webecoist.com/2008/12/21/air-sky-wind-art/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSOtV588up9jK0HR8ID2QBeFqDL4Mb_c_j3ragaEnV2hGEFiFjE8YsKzzZLOfW19SWWDdKf9HNcG6X5u7yYfBVEc4E8Cy1pRTwhHcYzomTpPhyuuj0Hb17Gqz94F_QT-mIW-PBFvYnM/s1600-h/6_mosaic_with_gorgoneion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-aSOtV588up9jK0HR8ID2QBeFqDL4Mb_c_j3ragaEnV2hGEFiFjE8YsKzzZLOfW19SWWDdKf9HNcG6X5u7yYfBVEc4E8Cy1pRTwhHcYzomTpPhyuuj0Hb17Gqz94F_QT-mIW-PBFvYnM/s200/6_mosaic_with_gorgoneion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365806442273056466" /></a><br />August 24- Vesuvius Day<br /><br />On August 24 in the year 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed two Roman cities: Pompeii and Herculaneum. Click here for an excellent website that shows some of the excavation and finds, as well as the history these two cities. http://www.fieldmuseum.org/pompeii/introduction.asp<a href="http://www.fieldmuseum.org/pompeii/introduction.asp"></a><br /><br />August 30- Toasted Marshmallow Day<br /><br />The following video is a Dave Tremko claymation of a bear wood carving toasting a marshmallow. Confused? Just watch the video. It's short. Then, you try to describe it.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ts7d7u9pbU0&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ts7d7u9pbU0&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-18281572670361768732009-08-02T16:56:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:07:56.620-07:00August Happenings<div><strong><font size="4">Christian Concert</font></strong></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><br /><strong>August 2 - The Rave</strong><br /><br /></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84F44ZT9-Zb7X7_8MQ1ypqpuHnV-1gdIFhkDPYnPePOAL5KwRdRXmNWS7UML2y20SJc6ZPOvJoYiRqXeqcoyzBRc2TK4r1mAB1ekfMj56t7ACgnVBCdzbsnTi8Z8AmXdUwoJNPRdVxPY/s1600-h/rave.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521450883871202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84F44ZT9-Zb7X7_8MQ1ypqpuHnV-1gdIFhkDPYnPePOAL5KwRdRXmNWS7UML2y20SJc6ZPOvJoYiRqXeqcoyzBRc2TK4r1mAB1ekfMj56t7ACgnVBCdzbsnTi8Z8AmXdUwoJNPRdVxPY/s320/rave.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Rave, with a live band, DJ Steve, Cafe', prizes, and more. 6-8:30pm at New Hope Christian Fellowship, 13333 Ramona Ave., Chino. Contact(909) 702-3736, or <a href="http://myspace.com/chinorave">myspace.com/chinorave</a> for more information. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><font size="4"><strong>Photography Exhibit</strong></font></p><br /><p><br /><strong>Now through August 29- Sight Unseen: International Photography by blind artists.</strong><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Zd6iH2o9bcsDRpgAHR5AnyJflGJRC3eyS8MgHzzdSjuPNJwjxips3R3V6GG5kY8zcYwPQnU_XyzQvJNSjZGRzHYvHxJy_r2rSnMfg4SZuGJmYvx46Jnt1hPhxfkZVrG6wKWuJqOwq8/s1600-h/happenings+uct.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524245775601986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Zd6iH2o9bcsDRpgAHR5AnyJflGJRC3eyS8MgHzzdSjuPNJwjxips3R3V6GG5kY8zcYwPQnU_XyzQvJNSjZGRzHYvHxJy_r2rSnMfg4SZuGJmYvx46Jnt1hPhxfkZVrG6wKWuJqOwq8/s320/happenings+uct.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />at: UCR/California Museum of Photography. General admission $3- seniors, students and children are free. Muesum open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M, located at . 3824 Main st. Riverside, CA 92501<br /><br /><br />Sight Unseen presents work by twelve of the most accomplished blind photographers in the world. It is the first major museum exhibition on a subject full of paradox and revelation. This poetic and inherently conceptual work proposes a surprising central thesis—unhindered by the constraints of outward sight, blind photographers possess the clearest vision on the planet.<br /><br />This installation has been in Time Magazine <a href="http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1897093,00.html">(click here), </a>on NPR <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/06/sight_unseen_blind_photographe.html">(click here), </a>and reviewed in the L.A. Times <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/06/blind-photographers.html">(click here).</a> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><strong><br />Fashion Show featuring student works</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 6- Down4Earth Recycled Fashion Show<br /></strong><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsijBEBs4om5PXeIQbuwAKvgNquB14f9J05ebfcpvJ7cna6ohlo9dSnpu6IdVaAEdOQWCXSmA4_hyphenhyphenbEjAm-Km6t28uXnQRmQ29yleNzzNC1mZiTTyA1NPxQk9wp5dCBf3D2QL81LEOXNM/s1600-h/happenings+down4earth.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365524745537553762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsijBEBs4om5PXeIQbuwAKvgNquB14f9J05ebfcpvJ7cna6ohlo9dSnpu6IdVaAEdOQWCXSmA4_hyphenhyphenbEjAm-Km6t28uXnQRmQ29yleNzzNC1mZiTTyA1NPxQk9wp5dCBf3D2QL81LEOXNM/s320/happenings+down4earth.jpg" /></a><br />Rubidoux youth summer fashion workshop exhibition. All one-of-a-kind pieces are made from recycled elements. Proceeds from all sales go to benefit the programs at the Youth Opportunity Center in Riverside. This project is hosted by Small Wonder in partnership with California Family Life Centers. It involves youth, ages 14 to 21, employed to design and fabricate unique fashion. Tickets are free as part of August Downtown Artswalk. Begins at 7:00 P.M. at Riverside Community Arts Association, 3870 Lemon Street Riverside, CA 92501.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><strong><br />Jazz Concert</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 7- Diana Krall</strong><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7yWea7Joyjp1NHtYzY8EcZAUkCtAJCq_g3fJQFlDDz_Zu1WQvQciQVnms9qkcG0Zhyphenhyphen0nb3ZKufnOpQv_YiPcyf7bklYm4B136uZEaA46M9Jo-gNE91tG_F-ctntshfAzIb7Y1Zx3i98/s1600-h/happenings+diana.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365525276697586690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7yWea7Joyjp1NHtYzY8EcZAUkCtAJCq_g3fJQFlDDz_Zu1WQvQciQVnms9qkcG0Zhyphenhyphen0nb3ZKufnOpQv_YiPcyf7bklYm4B136uZEaA46M9Jo-gNE91tG_F-ctntshfAzIb7Y1Zx3i98/s320/happenings+diana.jpg" /></a><br /><br />At Agua Caliente, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. Some music is intended to paint a romantic scene – a candlelit dinner, a walk along a moonlit beach. Quiet Nights – Diana Krall’s twelfth album – ain’t about that. Using Brazil as a musical point of reference, the award-winning pianist and singer is not suggesting a night out; she means to stay in. Tickets $45-$100. Call 760-202-2111 for more information. Buy tickets here: <a href="http://www.startickets.com/event.php?event=838">http://www.startickets.com/event.php?event=838</a> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Family Art Day</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 7- Family Day at the Art Depot in Fontana featuring Joshua Valencia.</strong><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqKWA633qHTyMyrAt9cHSvMb7n8ODWiHyKh0-7vYhO6UQfy1B5MNVEpriHJ0cle3qZ6shN2MtB1hzzahUBKorWHLJNiE5VdvF48OhbeLPtveXntdRMSK5iDaa143pvXYA2zCvdyvRgqg/s1600-h/artdepot.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365525925400851554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicqKWA633qHTyMyrAt9cHSvMb7n8ODWiHyKh0-7vYhO6UQfy1B5MNVEpriHJ0cle3qZ6shN2MtB1hzzahUBKorWHLJNiE5VdvF48OhbeLPtveXntdRMSK5iDaa143pvXYA2zCvdyvRgqg/s320/artdepot.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Join the Art Depot Gallery for fun entertainment, artist demonstrations, art activities and more in the quarterly Family Art Day. Admission: Free. 6-9 P.M. at Art Depot 16822 Spring Street Fontana, CA 92235.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Cartooning Workshop</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 7- Cartooning Workshop at the Museum of History and Art in Riverside.<br /></strong><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEydR2yDdAk59Dn6mQDLKKZjEBO9gsDXvc69Iq2YCH3G8WtDepCMYacwd5AjFNIbprgBO0mvXuzCvuG1uillFifIKoaLZGxexic_9F2C6CkXqIBrV5IE53M3cCgbqm1-9B8o_KmfFIFA/s1600-h/logocompressed82405.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526395118475810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTEydR2yDdAk59Dn6mQDLKKZjEBO9gsDXvc69Iq2YCH3G8WtDepCMYacwd5AjFNIbprgBO0mvXuzCvuG1uillFifIKoaLZGxexic_9F2C6CkXqIBrV5IE53M3cCgbqm1-9B8o_KmfFIFA/s320/logocompressed82405.jpg" /></a><br />Join artist Darlene Douthit as she leads a cartooning workshop inspired by the Peanuts characters and Snoopy. Along with learning cartooning techniques, Ms. Douthit will share how Charles Schulz was the first professional she met at the age of eighteen and how he inspired her and offered career advice as a young artist. Workshop begins at 4:00 P.M. at 225 South Euclid Avenue Ontario, CA 91762.<br /></p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>August 8-Southern/Country Gospel Concert</strong> </p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWWTsR3Xe4cpoUlEQ0sBwrhVxHQwyn6BHCfCkcY0JFnPqp1fixEwuDepPZdvy4dR2eYC8kamSDlqS8cL5yhajvG3_sfnDt3tsxA8sM9RS-SI9eqc-3Vg3guClhYwXm50BddAb7Zqkl5M/s1600-h/tradesmen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365526971889952466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWWTsR3Xe4cpoUlEQ0sBwrhVxHQwyn6BHCfCkcY0JFnPqp1fixEwuDepPZdvy4dR2eYC8kamSDlqS8cL5yhajvG3_sfnDt3tsxA8sM9RS-SI9eqc-3Vg3guClhYwXm50BddAb7Zqkl5M/s320/tradesmen.jpg" /></a><br />featuring Tradesmen, June Wade & Tomes Brothers. 6pm, Trinity Full Gospel, 235 N Lena Rd., San Bernardino, free. Call (760) 949-4670 for more info. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Jam Session<br /><br />August 12- Hot Night, Sweet Jam in Joshua Tree</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UhuBwq1YX4UeRHU6ivxfkDSiuJT0UgRG1Yh_UmVh1Xk_jiXfvlcSLl0t3NyDJTIA3e20T7Gz8iaYt23x3T8m6k8gzstFK-pFoe5stzW6fhiMr0ggmEXzvUggUAAt0qZjy-qm2Q6Iuvc/s1600-h/Playhouse%2520Theatre.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365535078831185538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UhuBwq1YX4UeRHU6ivxfkDSiuJT0UgRG1Yh_UmVh1Xk_jiXfvlcSLl0t3NyDJTIA3e20T7Gz8iaYt23x3T8m6k8gzstFK-pFoe5stzW6fhiMr0ggmEXzvUggUAAt0qZjy-qm2Q6Iuvc/s320/Playhouse%2520Theatre.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Hot Night, Sweet Jam event is a multi-faceted fully produced open jam session for musicians. Open to any musician who would like to get on-stage and play with other musicians. Bar – Snacks, wine and beverages available for purchase located in the theatre foyer. Event tickets presale are $5 or $10 at the door. Call 760-684-9093 for more information or to purchase tickets. Time 7-11 P.M. High Dessert Playhouse and Cultural Arts Center, 61231 29 Palms Hwy. Joshua Tree, CA 92252.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a> </p><br /><p><strong>Theater<br /><br />August 15-September 20- Lifehouse Theater presents Little House on the Prairie</strong><br /><br />Tickets $10-$16. For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, click here: http://www.lifehousetheater.com/ or call (909) 335-3037<br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYRQOJvF9IUBAQISDbcUkSwXuMH-vYpvqUVLq1Zonqexq5jJzRSTbOcPwAVINXhCKY9Qo7IJ4QcaxTTSLvTJHj6JS1SFWB-6zLn_WycIKRSO4El0J7hv2apxwzlysl27OFLf02LBwgtM/s1600-h/littlehouse.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365535933090939602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYRQOJvF9IUBAQISDbcUkSwXuMH-vYpvqUVLq1Zonqexq5jJzRSTbOcPwAVINXhCKY9Qo7IJ4QcaxTTSLvTJHj6JS1SFWB-6zLn_WycIKRSO4El0J7hv2apxwzlysl27OFLf02LBwgtM/s320/littlehouse.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Follow the adventures of a young pioneer family and a wagon load of friends from Walnut Grove. Ma and Pa Ingalls, Laura, Mary and Carrie, the lovable Mr. Edwards, bratty Nelly Olsen and all the familiar favorites from the beloved series by Laura Ingalls Wilder share the challenges and rewards of life on the Prairie. 1135 N Church St, Redlands.</p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>AUG 14-16 Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RP_NMyI_3MTCLubyPFtfjjld4gJDouxhOtHT8sLlSpi_nhNswm8J54DEPVKKrGrgYdMM05msh838N2ciWaCWrQq2X7VPibIKZWjoorNA-Xjn7pC_RRW2Rusq-dhSe7ilMsxDOOdbd8I/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365537168818375762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RP_NMyI_3MTCLubyPFtfjjld4gJDouxhOtHT8sLlSpi_nhNswm8J54DEPVKKrGrgYdMM05msh838N2ciWaCWrQq2X7VPibIKZWjoorNA-Xjn7pC_RRW2Rusq-dhSe7ilMsxDOOdbd8I/s320/untitled.bmp" /></a><br /><br />Performances by Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Skillet, Relient K and more. Fri-Sat. 7pm & Sun. 6pm, Angel Stadium, Anaheim, free. For more information call 1-800-CRUSADE, or <a href="http://www.harvest.org/">click here.</a> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Christian Concert</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 15- Christian Songwriters’ Showcase<br /></strong><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s1600-h/jeremiahjohns.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365511373194579394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s320/jeremiahjohns.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Come out and hear Daniel Medina, Justin Reid, Jeremiah Johns, and Chris Ryan share their music in a casual setting. Free. 4:30-6:30 at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at 528 Orange Street in Redlands (in the Vons/Trader Joes shopping center). Along with coffee and goodies from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, there is a frozen yogurt shop and several other eateries within close walking distance. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Theater</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 15-23- Disney’s Aladdin presented by Christian Arts and Theater in Corona.<br /></p><br /><p></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ-Y-rCZchyphenhyphen-c2BSe8wQ8kawTRKBfYILW-6G23rufpa8cF1NBWGOM_T3V-WZszoTTzwXuxxKCwLxbfT9lnsMTcfV0RqBtzgFjR905zz2DfsZJSFq_gPwC6uVtauQFJeeZ9OeKMDXHbQI/s1600-h/aladdin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 120px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 43px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365539309627270706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ-Y-rCZchyphenhyphen-c2BSe8wQ8kawTRKBfYILW-6G23rufpa8cF1NBWGOM_T3V-WZszoTTzwXuxxKCwLxbfT9lnsMTcfV0RqBtzgFjR905zz2DfsZJSFq_gPwC6uVtauQFJeeZ9OeKMDXHbQI/s320/aladdin.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Disney’s Aladdin will hit the stage with all your favorite characters from the lovely Jasmine and the evil Jafar, comical Iago and Abu and, of course, Aladdin and the Genie. Naturally, all the wonderful Disney music will be included too, like “Never Had a Friend like Me” and “A Whole New World”. CAT’s youth shows are always wildly successful “sell outs” and it is expected that Aladdin will be no different. This is a great show to introduce your children to live theater: all the colorful costumes, amazing dancing and familiar music will captivate them! Presald tickets $11-$13, at the door $13-15. Call 951-279-2258. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><a href="http://www.catcorona.org/Default.asp?tje=jv"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Christian Concert</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 21- Leeland in concert</strong><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-50pGlH71qnRAuY_wQl7B-bNZv7DP6fwJWAsq_5bPI2ydc_XvJtlXTOz23mZy4DhUS6hgBiDe6rgIjQTRJoyhb5ruVwQV2Sqo4p7UTWN4AIxcg4HcJlsocIhD7SqmNg_uUNAPKx25s/s1600-h/leeland.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365540507104449586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_e-50pGlH71qnRAuY_wQl7B-bNZv7DP6fwJWAsq_5bPI2ydc_XvJtlXTOz23mZy4DhUS6hgBiDe6rgIjQTRJoyhb5ruVwQV2Sqo4p7UTWN4AIxcg4HcJlsocIhD7SqmNg_uUNAPKx25s/s320/leeland.jpg" /></a><br /><br />7pm, Rancho Community Church, 31300 Rancho Community Way, Temecula, $15-20. Sponsored by Thessalonika Family Services. Call (951) 302-7609 for more information. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><strong> Christian Concert<br /><br />August 22- G.M.D. Summer Celebration Concert 2009 </strong></p><strong><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUVKL98a9OS3cIv01qh8RAVLeTEHQUmdZFyPjsi9dCrGMiw_TgZTeFeWUfpO-ShcbVSy-KttW7kpAUBBum9T6hd3qFTdL8rbn13wnH6ClVV82iHY2Q1SfNSc_aLTSDrcgkMIXP7RKUyk/s1600-h/mybanner49448c79b561cxj2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365547484354002722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUVKL98a9OS3cIv01qh8RAVLeTEHQUmdZFyPjsi9dCrGMiw_TgZTeFeWUfpO-ShcbVSy-KttW7kpAUBBum9T6hd3qFTdL8rbn13wnH6ClVV82iHY2Q1SfNSc_aLTSDrcgkMIXP7RKUyk/s320/mybanner49448c79b561cxj2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Featuring Little Willie G, Dennis Massawe & more. 5:30-9pm, Temecula Community Recreation Center, 30785 Rancho Vista Rd., Temecula. Tickets are $5. Call (951) 252-7885 for more information. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Christian Dancing</strong></p><br /><p><br /><strong>August 29- Riverside Dance Party (includes lessons).</strong><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIwDeR5sSDF0MFoSgN4u6MJaRKw6jNDPippBvOnrhVgglTc1X2WQS5_O8XOYm3gBMN8nAb_Mdgja6wYDc6fS2eqV92OL4B6Qkno1_mZSuf70dUSWUvR1_PGDH_md_7YEqBjjixtem8_A/s1600-h/016-friday-dance1.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365548498531433602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIwDeR5sSDF0MFoSgN4u6MJaRKw6jNDPippBvOnrhVgglTc1X2WQS5_O8XOYm3gBMN8nAb_Mdgja6wYDc6fS2eqV92OL4B6Qkno1_mZSuf70dUSWUvR1_PGDH_md_7YEqBjjixtem8_A/s320/016-friday-dance1.png" /></a><br /><br />For ages 19 to 91. 7:30-11:30pm. Cowtown, 15950 Van Buren Blvd. $15 prepaid, $20 at door. Call (714) 210-3337, or go to <a href="http://www.christiansinglesfunevents.com/">ChristianSinglesFunEvents.com</a> for more information. </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p> </p><br /><p><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s1600-h/pearlflwbar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 82px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365521940284096498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IudeMPGYcSw7PSx5XvmrRMHeqSdV9LYftOH2cnDdoyBlMW6qSTfqFBX8QZSio6QmRORVEnOy8T9dZlOxy_LjKNer8_hK4Yh-fgsOEIbftl4jz5jQkl2XcErN8FzEd2PvqxYb90jHcUY/s320/pearlflwbar.jpg" /></a> </p><br /><p><strong>Jazz<br /><br />August 29-30-16th annual Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nUnCZkZCyaYrdFd1ovnHtLDQ2SM0FgOIlh343jhJNu1CHIebwduAgBlez4S6ZNhyphenhyphen8hTtbIW1i9IpUiG40P-Un_V9Kg7-CzzHvO-1tHLowo23n0LsBqee-KpIuNOMPPO1-ve4yziFvzo/s1600-h/press_image_20.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365549039050781458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nUnCZkZCyaYrdFd1ovnHtLDQ2SM0FgOIlh343jhJNu1CHIebwduAgBlez4S6ZNhyphenhyphen8hTtbIW1i9IpUiG40P-Un_V9Kg7-CzzHvO-1tHLowo23n0LsBqee-KpIuNOMPPO1-ve4yziFvzo/s320/press_image_20.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Two incredible days of great jazz, wonderful food and art in the beautiful San Jacinto Mountains on the campus of the Idyllwild Arts Academy. Produced by the Associates of Idyllwild Arts Foundation to raise scholarship funds for Idyllwild Arts Academy and the Summer Program and to promote the American Art Form – Jazz. Tickets- $20-$235. Call 951-313-3361 for more information. Location: Idyllwild Arts Campus, 52500 Temecula Drive Idyllwild, CA 92549.</p>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-87398323178407207972009-08-02T16:36:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:07:16.741-07:00Artist Profile: Albrecht DurerIn a world of celebrity pastors, it’s easy for people who aren’t called to be pastors to feel either marginalized or off-the-hook, depending on how much they desire to serve God. Feelings like, “I don’t make the rules around here, I’m just the drummer for the worship team,” have been heard too often in the halls of the church. Many pastors who think they are being forward or modern will allow an artist or a dancer to create something for a service, but only if it’s short and doesn’t cut into the sermon time. <br /><br />Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) lived during the height of the Northern Renaissance, and he saw art as necessary for the church and important in helping people worship and understand the teachings of the Bible. He was born into a family with a talented goldsmith father, an immigrant to Germany from Hungary, who was happy to see his young son interested in the arts. Out of eighteen children born to his mother and father, only three survived to adulthood. Durer’s godfather was a printer who owned twenty-four printing presses and published the <em>Nuremburg Chronicle</em>, which contained 1,809 woodcut illustrations. Growing up with such influences on his life, young Albrecht was destined to become an artist, and it is no wonder that some of his most famous works are woodcuts. <br /><br />As a young man, Durer worked in his father’s goldsmith shop and was apprenticed at fifteen years old to Michael Wohlgemut, a painter who was sought after for book cover design. Wohlgemut taught Durer how to do masterful woodcuts, and the apprentice’s skill at the art is apparent; even now, 500 years later, good impressions can still be made from Durer’s original woodcuts. He used a burin, a steel cutting tool for engraving, to make his woodcuts. <br /><br />Durer married Agnes Frey in 1494 in an arranged marriage that seemed like a business deal between their respective fathers. Shortly after his marriage, Durer traveled to Venice to learn from Italian Renaissance artists. He studied proportion and perspective, topics that would become some of his life’s passion in art. <br /><br />But, they weren’t his only passions in life. In 1495, he returned to Nuremburg and worked on a series of large prints called “The Apocalypse.” It became a series of fifteen woodcuts in which Durer illustrated the events described in the book of Revelation (a few are shown below). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7CL3hEK6ZjfSZdXIV-gEn_GpUqHnCUDSZhyphenhyphenM6Ne7xmHoQqQ9-Py40SB-m3gfM0TGr9izJJanL9nH52ABgGnSqocKgwM9WLs61s_vKCuXUpiYoTZptWnskLvGYkMYfjWtp6A1OGkzEuU/s1600-h/durer+apocalypse+1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7CL3hEK6ZjfSZdXIV-gEn_GpUqHnCUDSZhyphenhyphenM6Ne7xmHoQqQ9-Py40SB-m3gfM0TGr9izJJanL9nH52ABgGnSqocKgwM9WLs61s_vKCuXUpiYoTZptWnskLvGYkMYfjWtp6A1OGkzEuU/s320/durer+apocalypse+1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515055536542834" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOL-PSufXbjeHFmcHf1TPpUsxISGAKtt8aOsOBlAKtD9d5OpCbr4E7noWaVWZtWJMeCj7nXwOH7vMAfFIj_-SXXmoVz1Td2pVEnUmK7v6EtLdi-jmqAHVYKh-LYBDPTa9YqrViowKSLw/s1600-h/durer+apocalypse+2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOL-PSufXbjeHFmcHf1TPpUsxISGAKtt8aOsOBlAKtD9d5OpCbr4E7noWaVWZtWJMeCj7nXwOH7vMAfFIj_-SXXmoVz1Td2pVEnUmK7v6EtLdi-jmqAHVYKh-LYBDPTa9YqrViowKSLw/s320/durer+apocalypse+2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515189373746466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8EO5700GOyItvW2AOGQKUIKwpc_dSgqJCo3e2JUnkWxwa-2ty0Ux1xeO7Cn39G_T1CeIoBmFoftKVyLXZ1BCNh3ENF_5C9iN5rIpH9Z9fnWfX6KzdMVgv-OeIFZOxi4MkxLp2p9jNG8/s1600-h/durer+apocalypse+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8EO5700GOyItvW2AOGQKUIKwpc_dSgqJCo3e2JUnkWxwa-2ty0Ux1xeO7Cn39G_T1CeIoBmFoftKVyLXZ1BCNh3ENF_5C9iN5rIpH9Z9fnWfX6KzdMVgv-OeIFZOxi4MkxLp2p9jNG8/s320/durer+apocalypse+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515313568927442" /></a><br /><br />It seemed that much of Europe was stricken with “End of the World fever,” since the year 1500 was fast approaching. Every report of a flood, earthquake, or even a military leader was met with dread that the Antichrist might be within the world’s midst. However, many of the citizens were still illiterate and, with the Catholic masses spoken in Latin, a language unintelligible to the run-of-the-mill European, Durer wanted to create works that taught the world what the Bible actually said about the subject of the Apocalypse. His blocks were made of hardwood and large; they took up a full-sized piece of paper when printed. On the reverse side, Durer had the pertinent Bible verses printed. Europeans were so ready to “hear” Durer’s message that this project brought him widespread fame. <br /><br />He followed the Apocalypse with a series on the life of Mary and another on the Passion of Christ. Both of these series were meant to be used by Bible teachers and clergy as they taught the public about the Bible. <br /><br />Not all of his works were sacred in nature. He painted many pictures and made woodblocks of nature scenes. His woodcut of a rhinoceros, though not very true-to-life as it was based upon someone else’s report, was still being used in publications two centuries after Durer created it. He also made a number of portraits, which tended to bring in the bulk of an artist’s income as wealthy patrons wanted good artists to memorialize them. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaeyJcsx6XuNRUZPE31WVAX97-mbh3-6UR3zeSknr1LObKBqUnnpR6lhiP9qt8dAmLsxsfwzARYYp6Oho8sAslGTgijKTJcGIa_oiTw-pcz35ijm1vX3xxJda-WNU2hs1nH6msRVuWJ0/s1600-h/durer+hare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtaeyJcsx6XuNRUZPE31WVAX97-mbh3-6UR3zeSknr1LObKBqUnnpR6lhiP9qt8dAmLsxsfwzARYYp6Oho8sAslGTgijKTJcGIa_oiTw-pcz35ijm1vX3xxJda-WNU2hs1nH6msRVuWJ0/s320/durer+hare.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515543961941714" /></a><br /><br />In 1508, a wealthy merchant commissioned Durer to paint a new triptych altarpiece for a church in Frankfurt. The piece was later destroyed by fire, but copies exist that were made by art students in the 1600’s before the fire. A copy of the reproduction is below. Notice the circle (added by me) on the left panel of the triptych. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUo2DiSc6vxFhkbPsjAc-CS5qdn0uiUrqkSvgtKa8vxHClg_jUhC_sX1QT9E2RQsQXRFFMwn0Y4eg_gTqSUWFSYUjMkFHPWCyC8zUT5WMm8RlCOcbyp0qflfS3qftaZ2USeKadXGC7yY/s1600-h/durer+heller+altar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUo2DiSc6vxFhkbPsjAc-CS5qdn0uiUrqkSvgtKa8vxHClg_jUhC_sX1QT9E2RQsQXRFFMwn0Y4eg_gTqSUWFSYUjMkFHPWCyC8zUT5WMm8RlCOcbyp0qflfS3qftaZ2USeKadXGC7yY/s320/durer+heller+altar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515752216527954" /></a><br /><br />Now, look at Durer’s famous <em>Praying Hands of an Apostle </em>(below), a study he made for this particular altarpiece. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjt6Jn0iUa_TDVNRUTYj-I6fDFlmPwOhD7hDirXxr821JO6DXnavWkdw3Mb-lmBCNgEqtS3sEIMXeqLn82CSKy5D3HckH4QQ_mB-bTt9ufKUccHf1CA21wJHD2PGw79WtY8jnPoDZ-iE/s1600-h/durer+praying+hands.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjt6Jn0iUa_TDVNRUTYj-I6fDFlmPwOhD7hDirXxr821JO6DXnavWkdw3Mb-lmBCNgEqtS3sEIMXeqLn82CSKy5D3HckH4QQ_mB-bTt9ufKUccHf1CA21wJHD2PGw79WtY8jnPoDZ-iE/s320/durer+praying+hands.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365515956197601074" /></a><br /><br />These hands have been reproduced in sculptures, tattoos, religious medallions, and today are one of the most recognized Christian symbols, next to the cross. While the actual painting on the altarpiece was destroyed and we only know it through students’ copies, the commonly seen sketches of the praying hands are Durer originals. <br /><br />Durer was on friendly terms with some of the most powerful people in Germany, such as Frederick the Wise and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, who commissioned Durer to paint a portrait. The emperor eventually gave Durer an annual pension so that he could continue to create great art. Durer’s posthumous portrait of Maximilian I is below. The inscription at the top is in Latin, and a translation reads, “"The most powerful, the greatest, and most invincible Emperor Maximilian, who surpassed all the kings and princes of his time in justice, wisdom, magnanimity, [and] generosity, but especially in martial glory and strength of courage. He was born in the year of human salvation 1459, on the day of March 9. He lived 59 years and 9 months, 25 days. He died, however, in the year 1519, in the month of January, on the 12th day. Whom God the Best and Greatest may wish to restore to the number of the living.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAQr_x14clnsXAA_OxaWzwXSk0MkQBDGdNiWl3-QmNZ4516GooV2Kv03OMyJqkxzbCpIxu1noyZrogtGtGqo7oVAo-EOXmlGNOEmW-dW6-1VhyphenhyphenMAkjy_fFuYWkPF5CS0A4ht3q2Juq4E/s1600-h/durermax.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAQr_x14clnsXAA_OxaWzwXSk0MkQBDGdNiWl3-QmNZ4516GooV2Kv03OMyJqkxzbCpIxu1noyZrogtGtGqo7oVAo-EOXmlGNOEmW-dW6-1VhyphenhyphenMAkjy_fFuYWkPF5CS0A4ht3q2Juq4E/s320/durermax.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365516327777907042" /></a><br /><br />In addition to these religious images and portraits, Durer sometimes worked on art with social themes, such as his woodcut <em>Allegory of Justice</em>, and he printed world maps and star charts which were based on Ptolemy’s catalog. Some of the symbols on his maps below are inaccurate because the knowledge of the globe was evolving. Remember that Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, so Durer and Columbus were contemporaries. Durer was also fascinated with mathematics and both studied and taught it. He once wrote, “And since geometry is the right foundation of all painting, I have decided to teach its rudiments and principles to all youngsters eager for art.” His abilities in math have been celebrated, and scientists actually named a crater on the planet Mercury after Durer. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc99KCYoEwuGnOTitBLvxt2_JWU5u96oRqZ4kQjVyg2T7cqP7IPwbpcwxPvv4TD8IxRITeyHKYG37ZZD-cL9B3CaNKmGlrplglJiW1qxTFrRYGyWp_iFNIyEq3ZGJqjiYWekfR1PY7Tw/s1600-h/durer+justice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc99KCYoEwuGnOTitBLvxt2_JWU5u96oRqZ4kQjVyg2T7cqP7IPwbpcwxPvv4TD8IxRITeyHKYG37ZZD-cL9B3CaNKmGlrplglJiW1qxTFrRYGyWp_iFNIyEq3ZGJqjiYWekfR1PY7Tw/s320/durer+justice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365516543570207026" /></a><br /><br /><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXYTCDEqLNBgEB-69J-rXS1STLvWmNHW5y5pOuA0CXgxQn0zRRfeImlECgbxhKt0DezCQRinqqGC_iTAu4QjsFjKLFIC8ZXTgIN4v7g2vH-5hs410JtlrSSdSZ8NhOEf6sLTOalCCIa4/s1600-h/durer+world.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXYTCDEqLNBgEB-69J-rXS1STLvWmNHW5y5pOuA0CXgxQn0zRRfeImlECgbxhKt0DezCQRinqqGC_iTAu4QjsFjKLFIC8ZXTgIN4v7g2vH-5hs410JtlrSSdSZ8NhOEf6sLTOalCCIa4/s200/durer+world.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365517657912822130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglca_5HgRVav9l_3woamqlR_o9mtkLAThk8x_90OGdLItTqVt7vKiwwBUR_2gvCOSPWzrfyWf4oeREwSIcFq4pqMAWMFeQHmC-6xNkNVpv8zZpHIbooYJj2PTZDTpcaQhA6JQZ045ptD0/s1600-h/durer+world+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglca_5HgRVav9l_3woamqlR_o9mtkLAThk8x_90OGdLItTqVt7vKiwwBUR_2gvCOSPWzrfyWf4oeREwSIcFq4pqMAWMFeQHmC-6xNkNVpv8zZpHIbooYJj2PTZDTpcaQhA6JQZ045ptD0/s200/durer+world+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365517768895718114" /></a></center><br /><br />Still, it was the Bible that gave Durer his inspiration for many of his pieces. Below is a study of hands resting on a Bible, a well-loved book of Durer’s. Martin Luther was another contemporary of Durer, and their geographic proximity made it easy for Frederick the Wise to send Durer one of Luther’s books in 1520. There is no evidence the two ever met, but Durer once said that he would like to meet Luther and engrave a portrait “as a lasting memorial of the man who has helped me out of great anxiety.” Later, when Durer heard of Martin Luther’s kidnapping, he wrote a prayer that said, <em>“… if we have lost this man, who has written more clearly than any that has lived for 140 years, and to whom Thou hast given such a spirit of the Gospel, we pray Thee, O Heavenly Father, that Thou wouldst again give Thy Holy Spirit to another . . . O God, if Luther is dead, who will henceforth deliver the Holy Gospel to us with such clearness?” </em> Durer did not know when he wrote this prayer that Luther was completely safe and had been kidnapped by his supporters to protect him from papal forces. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95ux1hrBsoCsZTuslnQHM-YkUlLXJGa7xkUjw4GrK3lFhpUR99BLCEhgrqfOIBpDqINTsdZ_E7aMixL-hyNK9kvt1CgAGafPN05SXKereexy8wR6tHpq1_7Rvs5u90foL5d0XVUaXTto/s1600-h/durer+hand+study+with+bible.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95ux1hrBsoCsZTuslnQHM-YkUlLXJGa7xkUjw4GrK3lFhpUR99BLCEhgrqfOIBpDqINTsdZ_E7aMixL-hyNK9kvt1CgAGafPN05SXKereexy8wR6tHpq1_7Rvs5u90foL5d0XVUaXTto/s320/durer+hand+study+with+bible.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365518359830503202" /></a><br /><br /><center><em>Hand Study with Bible</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCboO9NX8IKt-aJi3xcr_adqDh_94UugOYqNu6u6PdwhHLfVcDlO-mWv_67o0nXDNYWY5rYOJeGx8TX8ZwlTeKSsvHisKtGPo-XJ9DnehlhaJC4rdHoIcbm0bkdC_yn6JXFsEc-9j1hw/s1600-h/durer+adam+and+eve.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCboO9NX8IKt-aJi3xcr_adqDh_94UugOYqNu6u6PdwhHLfVcDlO-mWv_67o0nXDNYWY5rYOJeGx8TX8ZwlTeKSsvHisKtGPo-XJ9DnehlhaJC4rdHoIcbm0bkdC_yn6JXFsEc-9j1hw/s320/durer+adam+and+eve.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365518493377654594" /></a><br /><br /><em>Adam and Eve</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK3BJDitFD69TyT1XkgqWq0vcQ0CXemTfYWU6SiBo7h8ctFzh2hQ1lPpje9eD9hWSXfn5XOECdNDZ159myrxdHUJi9epX1x8WGZjT0J5L0ChoRLnwK5n7wsbSRS4oqG7l_F6D4CPvGaM/s1600-h/durer+samson.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK3BJDitFD69TyT1XkgqWq0vcQ0CXemTfYWU6SiBo7h8ctFzh2hQ1lPpje9eD9hWSXfn5XOECdNDZ159myrxdHUJi9epX1x8WGZjT0J5L0ChoRLnwK5n7wsbSRS4oqG7l_F6D4CPvGaM/s320/durer+samson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365518851018808754" /></a><br /><br /><em>Samson killing the lion</em></center><br /><br />Durer knew his gift was from God and was for God’s people. He used his art not only to help people understand Biblical stories, but to convey the emotion behind the stories. He knew where he stood within the Body of Christ. He understood what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 14:26, “What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.” <br /><br />In fact, Durer was fascinated with bodies and even wrote four books on the subject of human body proportions, which weren’t published until after his death. He got his data from measuring scores of people from one point on the body to another (elbow to wrist, for example) and averaging the measurements. He made detailed grids of the human body, including both the proportions of men and women, as well as fat people and lanky people. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MXbboM56C_TL2X1qVl12ChiAn3BeTBumRB7JmTvaP1wkpAgdpN_Qf8blf51oXFWQiLUjPB4hsfYN3TquI7KVmzpMg_7zt1DdJpe71F-Pm5DDADJRVEIBL-25bgDYWVchetqoEShKkZE/s1600-h/durer+body.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MXbboM56C_TL2X1qVl12ChiAn3BeTBumRB7JmTvaP1wkpAgdpN_Qf8blf51oXFWQiLUjPB4hsfYN3TquI7KVmzpMg_7zt1DdJpe71F-Pm5DDADJRVEIBL-25bgDYWVchetqoEShKkZE/s320/durer+body.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365519056423641090" /></a><br /><br />Albrecht Durer seemed to understand physically and spiritually the important things about a body. He knew his place in the Body of Christ and was able to use his tremendous gifts to build up the Body. <br /><br /><blockquote>1 Corinthians 12:14-26 (The Message)<br /><br />I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together. If Foot said, "I'm not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don't belong to this body," would that make it so? If Ear said, "I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head," would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it. <br /> 19-24But I also want you to think about how this keeps your significance from getting blown up into self-importance. For no matter how significant you are, it is only because of what you are a part of. An enormous eye or a gigantic hand wouldn't be a body, but a monster. What we have is one body with many parts, each its proper size and in its proper place. No part is important on its own. Can you imagine Eye telling Hand, "Get lost; I don't need you"? Or, Head telling Foot, "You're fired; your job has been phased out"? As a matter of fact, in practice it works the other way—the "lower" the part, the more basic, and therefore necessary. You can live without an eye, for instance, but not without a stomach. When it's a part of your own body you are concerned with, it makes no difference whether the part is visible or clothed, higher or lower. You give it dignity and honor just as it is, without comparisons. If anything, you have more concern for the lower parts than the higher. If you had to choose, wouldn't you prefer good digestion to full-bodied hair? <br /> 25-26The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don't, the parts we see and the parts we don't. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. </blockquote><br /><br /><br /><em><br />(Note: for the detail-oriented of you out there, we know that there should be an umlaut over the “u” in Durer’s surname. We have omitted the umlaut for the simple reason that, despite amazing advances in internet technology, not every computer can properly translate every character in every font. We did not want people wondering who in the world “D&,nbsp^rer” was just because their browser couldn’t handle the umlaut.)</em><br /><br />Here are links to our prior artist profiles:<br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-profile-rev-howard-finster.html">Rev. Howard Finster</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/local-profile-remembering-sam-maloof.html">Sam Maloof</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/artist-profile-thomas-blackshear.html">Thomas Blackshear</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/dr-he-qi-gives-different-perspective.html">Dr. He Qi</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-profile-sandra-bowden.html">Sandra Bowden</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/laura-kramer-and-psalm-23-jewelry.html">Laura Kramer (Psalm 23 Jewelry)</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/artist-profile-chris-schlarb-takes-new.html">Chris Schlarb</a><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/nick-metcalf-pastor-performer-artisan.html">Nick Metcalf</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-lynn-yoder-passion-for.html">Lynn Yoder</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/artist-profile-john-drumbo-french.html">John "Drumbo" French</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/local-profile-studio-on-location.html">Studio on Location</a></div><div><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/dagger-project.html">The Dagger Project</a></div> <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/amazing-grace-true-story-really.html">John Newton</a><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-iris-vincent-van-gogh-and-how.html">Vincent van Gogh</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-57379966703153321532009-08-02T16:05:00.001-07:002009-08-03T13:06:42.813-07:00Christian Songwriters' Showcase (moving to 3rd Saturday)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s1600-h/jeremiahjohns.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhYwE6wcNPowcXOpUjqeuogEJ299J1m5PkIAcX8rZBO3pMoLtjINum6hD659k3LkUw54nEBSGJTNNZlN784htxLdGChGA8VVKg4WKKsOARng_YL5a60piTBgOApcXRc_0TIpZxUCiFF4/s320/jeremiahjohns.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365511373194579394" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Jeremiah Johns, one of our featured Showcase artists for August 2009</em><br /><br />Our July Christian Songwriters' Showcase was the second held at the new venue, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Redlands. We were entertained by two performers with remarkably different styles and backgrounds: the beautiful, Latin-tinged, Catholic-inspired songs of <strong>Daniel Sanchez</strong>, from St. John Bosco Mission in Highland, and the soulful, rock-flavored music of <strong>Cameron Ruffin</strong>, worship guitarist for The Rock Church and World Outreach in San Bernardino. It was great to hear the music that God has inspired in people from two different backgrounds, coming together to worship and honor the Lord!<br /><br />Beginning on August 15th, the Showcase will now be held on the third Saturday of each month, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The August lineup includes:<br /><br /><strong>Justin Reid</strong>, our first "repeat" artist, who will present a whole new crop of songs for our enjoyment;<br /><br /><strong>Daniel Medina, Jr., </strong>a Work B.e.n.c.h. member making his first appearance at the Showcase;<br /><br /><strong>Jeremiah Johns</strong> from Lancaster, a quickly rising artist who recently opened for The Reign's 20-year reunion concert in Fullerton;<br /><br />and <strong>Chris Ryan</strong> of Grand Terrace, who played the massive Cornerstone Festival in June 2009 and is riding a wave of popularity for his new album "Colors".<br /><br />For more information about the Showcase, including how to line up a slot for an upcoming event, contact us at <a href="mailto:epistrophy@aol.com">epistrophy@aol.com</a>. See you on August 15th!!Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-79916461220796915652009-08-02T15:49:00.000-07:002009-08-03T22:03:06.003-07:00Local Profile: David Carranza, Jr.Artists’ Work B.e.n.c.h. likes to support not only established artists with years of credentials, but up-and-comers who show great promise to become significant figures in the Inland Empire arts scene. One of those is David Carranza, Jr., of San Bernardino Community Church. Over the past few years David has begun to establish himself as a visual artist through competitions, commissions and hard work.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG8vGPVft31DD6XNfXqAdgX5gXYYw04RB2RZW8Mn6u5xlNRczOQ-yMahSBk5M0-oWinyeLIWX_I6BzV-FUjk4jJwooPpeIy7X-ASOLJkwDGIgK5Sx9qJr9EgQ-vOOfUjFq0M4QvhT5uA/s1600-h/carranzafiji.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG8vGPVft31DD6XNfXqAdgX5gXYYw04RB2RZW8Mn6u5xlNRczOQ-yMahSBk5M0-oWinyeLIWX_I6BzV-FUjk4jJwooPpeIy7X-ASOLJkwDGIgK5Sx9qJr9EgQ-vOOfUjFq0M4QvhT5uA/s320/carranzafiji.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365503815697591714" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: featured artist David Carranza, Jr. (center), surrounded by schoolkids in Fiji</em><br /><br />Born in Los Angeles in February 1990, David Carranza, Jr., is the second of five children born to Dave and Maise Carranza. His parents have been the youth pastors at San Bernardino Community Church (SBCC) for about five years and served in Colton prior to that post. David Jr. graduated from San Gorgonio High School in 2008 and is presently studying art at Cal State San Bernardino.<br /><br />“Since I was a toddler, art has always fascinated me,” says Carranza, “probably starting with cartoons and comic books. I guess you can say I have always appreciated art and the artist.” His parents both came to the Lord out of gang culture, so David and his siblings came up in the knowledge of Jesus, which has inspired David his whole life. “I always thank God first for giving me the inspiration and the motivation to do what I do. I honestly can’t do anything without the guy upstairs – thank you, Jesus! – and God is the number one artist. Da best!”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g2SMRnnq_NF78nQowBD0kQh4GA8hyhMZjphQIsgmjIzl7Ay0zuOlIrQwTd3mS0Pzl3JZHfQh-l-_O1RixgHvyO9GE18IWN5BalrEwksm_05A39f_4MdeARzoiz4ktEvP2B8QBJNKMRc/s1600-h/1life1chance.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g2SMRnnq_NF78nQowBD0kQh4GA8hyhMZjphQIsgmjIzl7Ay0zuOlIrQwTd3mS0Pzl3JZHfQh-l-_O1RixgHvyO9GE18IWN5BalrEwksm_05A39f_4MdeARzoiz4ktEvP2B8QBJNKMRc/s400/1life1chance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365816214569309954" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: David Carranza's <u>1 Life, 1 Chance</u>.</em><br /><br />Besides his faith, Carranza’s family background has had a great impact on his art. “My father is Chicano and my mother is Polynesian/Samoan. I love my two cultures because art plays a big role in them both. Samoan and Mexican/Aztec history are full of art and creative talent. Mexican culture has dropped some traditions due to colonization a long time ago, but Polynesian/Samoan culture is still going strong today. Samoan tattoo designs and artwork are still being passed on, and it inspires me every time I see it.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNUGVgYTSIzx-O4qsSDlGWYaeI6oabdLTyKC933XxhrBIPU28BAY7tuKzxU53Ot62T0jIU-h9cSPeovfl7uRGFCwgTA9nNa1tlO2615Rbe0GzOOoNxVLglHUWCT_D6aDO1spD1tBZmic/s1600-h/carranzatattoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 284px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNUGVgYTSIzx-O4qsSDlGWYaeI6oabdLTyKC933XxhrBIPU28BAY7tuKzxU53Ot62T0jIU-h9cSPeovfl7uRGFCwgTA9nNa1tlO2615Rbe0GzOOoNxVLglHUWCT_D6aDO1spD1tBZmic/s320/carranzatattoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365504017729904354" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: one of Carranza’s designs based upon Samoan tattoo art.</em><br /><br />Aside from visual art, one way in which Carranza expresses his heritage is through participation in SBCC’s youth dance team. Choreographed by his mother, Maise, the dance team blends elements of popular dance, hip-hop, Island culture and other streams to glorify God through bodily movement. Carranza has accompanied the team in their travels around Southern California, in missions outreach to Europe, Mexico, and as far as Fiji. Discovering those disparate cultures has also colored his perception of art and his mission.<br /><br />“Honestly,” he continues, “I believe everything that I come in contact with affects the way I look at art, especially the people and places I surround myself with. The dance team, church, family, culture, being a PK (pastor’s kid): it all has an effect on me and my ideas on art, whether it be big or small. Portions of my life are revealed in my artwork… it’s like that saying, “if you want to know what’s in your heart, listen to your mouth.” It’s kind of the same thing for me with art. I switched it around: “if you want to know what’s in my heart, look at my art.”<br /><br />“Oh, and being a PK is totally fun! I don’t know how it feels not to be a PK, so I can’t tell the difference. My parents keep me in check and I’m totally okay with it because I want to make it to heaven someday! They keep me in line, and my parents aren’t the average pastors. It affects my art in a <em>great</em> way.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlUD9mBuQmNw_JzSn0dT-77QYnNTuMxj5kPWFkgBvbH8sMwctIi9IDZFnPC3PH4zvhYPdWb_zhqxvXJoLJOqurX-DBhT4znTaG5P0WeUdJCfKXKQzXQqcBhEIe7NHQQD8WSbx1NEt2qI/s1600-h/carranzajesustattoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlUD9mBuQmNw_JzSn0dT-77QYnNTuMxj5kPWFkgBvbH8sMwctIi9IDZFnPC3PH4zvhYPdWb_zhqxvXJoLJOqurX-DBhT4znTaG5P0WeUdJCfKXKQzXQqcBhEIe7NHQQD8WSbx1NEt2qI/s320/carranzajesustattoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365504164012073058" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: influenced by tattoo art, this image by David Carranza, Jr., depicts Jesus standing out as a dynamic force in the midst of pagan symbols like the yin-yang and pentagram. The culture war plays a big role in Carranza’s art.</em><br /><br />Carranza draws from so many sources of inspiration, it’s hard to pin his art down to a particular category. “I don’t know what I would describe my art as. God has given me this talent, so I might describe it as obedience. I’m using my talent for His glory, not mine. And I didn’t bury my talent like the guy in the parable… I’m being obedient and using the gifts God has given me. I believe… we should use our talents and gifts to honor His name, and to reach the people that don’t know Him personally.”<br /><br />His preferred mediums so far are acrylics and oil paints. “I’m still learning to use other media so I don’t really have a favorite right now, but I prefer painting. I don’t have a specific artist I like... I have a few, like Rembrandt, Chuck Close, Frida Kahlo, God... I don’t really know. I would have to say God gives me the talent and the desire to make art, therefore God and His creation give me inspiration!”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_yP-5heM8CA2-BjOiNlyKE3occUHDMXjnCvr2E4r6NBe9y6HF8M819FFBrKjuWKUfcj7BfaIP0L0DsstRp-eqGq6MMhvlUHrPYcsiHjEao417ymhM3ypMS5SVeI-YAoPS8jlyogr-yg/s1600-h/carranzasacrifice.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_yP-5heM8CA2-BjOiNlyKE3occUHDMXjnCvr2E4r6NBe9y6HF8M819FFBrKjuWKUfcj7BfaIP0L0DsstRp-eqGq6MMhvlUHrPYcsiHjEao417ymhM3ypMS5SVeI-YAoPS8jlyogr-yg/s400/carranzasacrifice.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365815794460956802" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Carranza's award-winning painting, <u>Sacrifice</u>.</em><br /><br />For a young man of nineteen, Carranza’s talents have already paid off in many ways. “I have won scholarships to any Assemblies of God college, but I didn’t accept any because none of the colleges or universities had an art major. I won the scholarships through AG’s National Fine Arts competition. My painting (“Sacrifice”) placed in the top five out of about two hundred artists, and I was super excited when I found out the results! It took place in Summer 2007 in Indianapolis, Indiana. I also won “best of show” at the San Bernardino School District’s annual art show, showcased in the Inland Center Mall. I won one hundred bucks with the same painting I used in the AG Fine Arts competition. I also received a scholarship of $500 from Bank of America for my accomplishments in visual art in high school, and there are many other awards, certificates and honorable mentions that I received for just making art in school.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3vphD5fPafWjCNBtoaXgu5ccY_AbQK4vZHiutX0KiBqkz4QCipRNqlUrjbfv-AEgJLEYTf6JFyfKjBDF1qwQIo_6yCHh78izvFINCAQr0Tnl_CItCIHK-dKgdwDQVBHy1oWy0FVC6DM/s1600-h/carranzaspartan.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3vphD5fPafWjCNBtoaXgu5ccY_AbQK4vZHiutX0KiBqkz4QCipRNqlUrjbfv-AEgJLEYTf6JFyfKjBDF1qwQIo_6yCHh78izvFINCAQr0Tnl_CItCIHK-dKgdwDQVBHy1oWy0FVC6DM/s320/carranzaspartan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365504422224414002" /></a><br /> <br /><em>Above: Carranza’s image of San Gorgonio High School’s mascot, the Spartan. This was donated to the school library. Carranza worked the school’s name and initials into the tilework on the piece several times.</em><br /><br />“I consider any piece of art I complete to be an achievement, such as the mural I painted at the Choices Pregnancy Center in downtown San Bernardino. I did it free of charge and it was for a good cause. The mural speaks against abortion. I really believe God wanted me to do it. It really stretched my abilities because it was challenging. I learned how to treat the paint if I wanted the mural to come out a certain way.”<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIZV2EsxnBQ3-WvHCld01cC7p8MvNsqigwmxxFYd9QG2xazcoP4nSD7em6NcVg3qF-m29Xs0QIHkVUedVQcaSVEtHrAJAX0vfY3Cz-fEP9i5P-we3YxwWT-J6Qq38dYClPbVRj72r0rE/s1600-h/david's+mural.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIZV2EsxnBQ3-WvHCld01cC7p8MvNsqigwmxxFYd9QG2xazcoP4nSD7em6NcVg3qF-m29Xs0QIHkVUedVQcaSVEtHrAJAX0vfY3Cz-fEP9i5P-we3YxwWT-J6Qq38dYClPbVRj72r0rE/s320/david's+mural.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505463770402930" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: the mural painted by David Carranza, Jr., at Choices Pregnancy Center.</em><br /><br />Artistic growth is as important to Carranza as spiritual growth, and the two are closely intertwined in his life. “Every art piece I do strengthens and grows my artistic abilities. I always try to pray before I do an art piece. I pray for strength and God’s help…. I want my artwork to glorify God. I want my artwork to “glow”; I want people to see a light in it, even if there isn’t a cross in it.” He encourages other artists to keep a similar pace. “Practice, practice, and pray and ask God if being an artist is what He wants you to do. And if the answer is yes, practice drawing, painting, sculpting, and whatever you do, do it unto God. Make art your lifestyle but keep God first, and stay humble… No matter what people tell you or what awards you win, stay humble because “God giveth and God taketh away.”<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjWx8-IsKzdPHEPY8bBQPEhIM6itOAQlgwq4BWgK1F7GWpFPhbxA3MM5hKROo_wgsTmnrpFPM9yyZTb7CoezayntXB6jXHn7XbLlbHhEOBT0tVX_4PDN_g0sANqvqUSkQrJ2vSzsKOfE/s1600-h/carranzadanceteam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjWx8-IsKzdPHEPY8bBQPEhIM6itOAQlgwq4BWgK1F7GWpFPhbxA3MM5hKROo_wgsTmnrpFPM9yyZTb7CoezayntXB6jXHn7XbLlbHhEOBT0tVX_4PDN_g0sANqvqUSkQrJ2vSzsKOfE/s320/carranzadanceteam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505879867491442" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQnCmTGZ4BjCEPrERpxpyO9C9hKDIeKZRK3aTAdOwVVJoU2VLh2O9OjFYNikr2Xagf7R4-YT5PCQwNAVRY_awov0_BaN_3BJqHycvT1AYE232N85JP6UgKsYoqvhcw_P2RuAzQupa8Ew/s1600-h/carranzaeye.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQnCmTGZ4BjCEPrERpxpyO9C9hKDIeKZRK3aTAdOwVVJoU2VLh2O9OjFYNikr2Xagf7R4-YT5PCQwNAVRY_awov0_BaN_3BJqHycvT1AYE232N85JP6UgKsYoqvhcw_P2RuAzQupa8Ew/s320/carranzaeye.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505975623819506" /></a><br /><br /><em>Above: Carranza has recently been experimenting with digital art, as seen in this color-manipulated photo of the SBCC dance team and the abstracted eye.</em>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-36011877432650558472009-08-02T15:41:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:05:51.756-07:00Master Class: Photographing WaterOne of the most potentially pleasing, yet most misunderstood and mishandled, subjects for the average photographer is water. For every beautiful, artistic image of a shoreline, a cresting fish, or a rushing stream, the average photographer will probably churn out dozens of images that ignore the attractive attributes of water in favor of other elements. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with that if those elements are family members, celebrities, wildlife or other subjects that take precedence over the water in a scene. But water can be one of the most aesthetically rewarding subjects in photography, and with a little practice and understanding, you can improve the way you address water in your camera work.<br /><br />Because of its mercurial nature, successfully photographing water takes patience and planning above all else. When you first arrive at the water scene you want to photograph, take at least ten minutes to wander around the area, exploring to find the best and worst situations before even taking the camera out of its case. Ask yourself these questions:<br /><br /><em> -What visual features define this area?<br /> -What draws me to this scene?<br /> -What do I want to communicate by photographing this?</em><br /><br />One of the best rules of water photography, and one of the most easily overlooked, is this: for the greatest visual appeal, try composing your photographs so that the camera is at any height other than eye level. Anyone can visualize a scene photographed at their own height; the element of surprise comes when the camera is held well above water level, or right down close to the shoreline.<br /><br />An even more important rule is to come prepared with a way to clean your camera lens, because droplets of water may land on the lens and distort your images. Even more heinously, salt water at the seaside can badly corrode cameras and lenses, so extra measures need to be taken to protect your equipment at saltwater sources. This could include anything from changing your film and lenses inside a changing bag to buying a protective, transparent case for your camera. It’s up to you, depending on what you want to pursue.<br /><br />Here are a few ideas for getting better photographs of different water settings.<br /><br /><strong>1. Rushing water: creeks, streams, and waterfalls</strong><br /><br />To achieve a silky, milky, or misty appearance of rushing water, use a long shutter speed and, of course, use a tripod to keep the camera still for the longer exposure. Without a tripod, it’s very easy to move the camera during a long exposure and ruin a good shot. A shutter cable release will also help keep the camera still. Use the smallest aperture setting you can use for the situation (for cameras with f stops, the higher the number, the smaller the aperture). Try for f8 at the very least; f11, f16, and f20 may be even better.<br /><br />Watch out for the effect of wind on leaves and branches if you are using a long exposure. These, too, can blur and detract from the quality of the image. If it’s a bright day, the longer shutter speed might not work as well, so use a neutral density filter. This is a grey-tinted filter that reduces the intensity of light and color along all wavelengths, making it easier for the photographer to adjust aperture size and exposure time. In the case of rushing water, a neutral density filter will block out the brightness of reflected light so that the smooth rush of the water is clearly shown.<br /><br />For film photography instead of digital, try choosing a low ISO (film speed rated by the International Standardization Organization) if your camera allows it. The ISO rating indicates how quickly and clearly the film will capture an image; the lower the ISO, the more light the camera will need to capture the image. ISO 100 film has great color and almost no graininess but can easily result in blurred or dark images unless a wide aperture and good light source are used. It is best used for indoor photography with a good flash. ISO 800, on the other hand, is better suited for outdoor activities, but the images will be grainier so some detail is lost. Try an ISO of 100, 50, or even as low as 25 if your camera is equipped to handle that. You might also play around with the white balance settings. Most digital cameras categorize white balance in modes such as daylight, incandescent, cloudy, shade, etc. (those little symbols on the thumb-wheel of the camera). Experiment with them to see how they affect the quality of your images. One plus of digital cameras, of course, is the ability to instantly preview a shot as soon as you’ve taken it. This will make it easier to try these different settings in real time.<br /><br />Consider framing the river or stream vertically, with a “portrait” composition rather than horizontally. Why? Running water is usually long and narrow, and the vertical angle will highlight that detail better. If you are using a tripod – and you should – think about putting the tripod in the water if it’s not rushing too quickly. Dig the legs into the sandy or muddy bottom, and secure it with rocks. Keep your hand on the camera strap in case the tripod gets knocked over. Shooting from a position in the water will often give you a more interesting composition than a shoreline shot. Be careful, though, because wet rocks and mossy creek bottoms can be slippery. <br /><br />Place the horizon line high up in the composition so the water is more prominent in the photo. Remember that the shot isn’t just about the stream or river, it’s about how the rocks and logs in the landscape affect the flow of the water. All of these can be elements of interest in a well-composed photograph.<br /><br />Above all, remember that all rushing water is not created equal. For instance, the water may cascade down a series of steps in the landscape, or it may be a fan shape that seems to spread horizontally from a smaller stream. If it’s a waterfall, does it descend into a punchbowl type of shape in the rock? Take the time to really think about the area you are photographing and how to best capture its essence. Try these techniques out at some of the beautiful spots around the Inland Empire, perhaps Forest Falls or Lytle Creek.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWSseXlekxJKZotlhkh7tcp9TdhAMMZXRAQKdg2Lb5nZrgKykzpEd2X_zG3-AXaw7YBnfEHKL1Cjn1SSxFuTIEIOtYuWGsuaMztZzok4Z5mp-fXaZq2dESwnAxBsatKpQmFSYucB0dhw/s1600-h/photoburneyfalls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWSseXlekxJKZotlhkh7tcp9TdhAMMZXRAQKdg2Lb5nZrgKykzpEd2X_zG3-AXaw7YBnfEHKL1Cjn1SSxFuTIEIOtYuWGsuaMztZzok4Z5mp-fXaZq2dESwnAxBsatKpQmFSYucB0dhw/s320/photoburneyfalls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365500893864835362" /></a><br /><br /><strong>2. Large bodies of water and reflections</strong><br /><br />Large bodies of water – oceans, lakes, wide rivers – can deliver stunningly dramatic images if handled properly. Besides the sheer majesty of the water’s span, sometimes these images are augmented by interesting reflections that add brightness or perhaps a “mirror” effect. You have probably seen this type of effect walking along the shore of Lake Arrowhead or the boardwalk at Big Bear, when it looks like the village has been turned upside down in the water.<br /><br />Shoot in early morning or twilight hours for the best “light on the mirror” look. The light level at these times is ideal for proper brightness and color, not to mention that the water’s surface is often the calmest at these hours. Shoot without a flash whenever possible so that the most natural-looking image is obtained, and choose a reasonably tight shutter speed so the subject is not blurred. <br /><br />Note that if the water takes up a large portion of the picture frame, the reflection may cause your camera’s light meter to underexpose the picture, resulting in a dark photo. Compensate for this with the shutter and light settings on your camera. Wildlife, plants, trees, and people near the water in the shot will probably be shadowy and undefined. In this case, overexpose the picture by one stop or more, and turn off your camera’s light meter so you can force the camera to compensate. Your autofocus might also get confused when photographing large swaths of water, as there are too many potential levels and distances for it to try and focus upon. Try to turn off autofocus as well, and trust your own senses in forming the image.<br /><br />The eye is key in this type of photography. Wait for an interesting reflection, look for an interesting angle, move up and down the shore and take note of the most promising spots and positions. Consider the line that the shore makes in the photo and think about how the eye will follow that line. What is interesting in the composition that the shoreline will lead the eye to?<br /><br />Consider the “rule of thirds” when photographing large bodies of water, or capturing images where water takes up most of the frame. This is a simple guideline for arranging points of interest in your photos. As you look through your viewfinder, imagine that the image you see is divided by an invisible grid into three rows across and three columns down. The result would be an image divided into nine squares (think of the intro of “The Brady Bunch”). The main points of interest in your photo should, if possible, be lined up so that they fall along those lines, or especially at the intersections of the lines. This will help break the habit of always centering your subjects in the viewfinder, and will result in more interesting pictures.<br /><br />In the photo below, you can see that the approaching small wave falls neatly along the top horizontal line of the grid of thirds. The smaller ripples lie in the lower third of the image. Also, the bird is alongside the right vertical line of the grid, and very close to one of the intersecting points. For some reason, psychologically, the human brain interprets images that are laid out in this manner as more aesthetically appealing than others. A related concept is the Golden Mean, which breaks the image into sections that are proportioned 2/3 to 1/3. For more information about these visualization tools, you can do an internet search for “Golden Mean photography” and “Rule of Thirds photography”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILIo2933gqu_TDEJJsjNxomz3bY79LusNERu9k_gQeYIQ6clfUm2lv5VaFvqBBa9_K_SixFTYXTJBiw_JgyCOychmVaX7iBDVbZiCB8S3Zlngyx4JiOA9rfoPLvRapn4hUl8mrIn2eI/s1600-h/photodividedthirds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfILIo2933gqu_TDEJJsjNxomz3bY79LusNERu9k_gQeYIQ6clfUm2lv5VaFvqBBa9_K_SixFTYXTJBiw_JgyCOychmVaX7iBDVbZiCB8S3Zlngyx4JiOA9rfoPLvRapn4hUl8mrIn2eI/s320/photodividedthirds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365501651251948994" /></a><br /><br />Photograph areas that you are familiar with or that you can return to in different types of weather and different times of the day. If the light isn’t right the first time you visit a spot, or if the weather isn’t cooperating, come back at a different time and see how much the situation has changed. Many of the most classic, timeless photographs have come from this kind of patience and waiting for the most opportune time.<br /><br />Try to put something identifiable in the foreground of the picture: a tree, a duck, a clump of grass, a boat, a tree branch. Otherwise, the large swath of water might be disorienting to the viewer and the scale will be difficult to perceive. The larger the image, the more this distortion is amplified. It’s easy to get caught up in wave patterns or the interesting ripples of the water, but without something identifiable to anchor the shot, the result will be less than stellar. Give the viewer a good reference point by which to judge the whole content of the image.<br /><br /><br /><strong>3. Water wildlife</strong><br /><br />Wildlife photography is always a big gamble because of the skittishness and speed of the animals. This is amplified tenfold when dealing with water animals; fish are quick to dive or dart out of sight, ducks can choose to fly off on a moment’s notice, or dip down into the water and show their backsides to the camera. Again, patience is key, along with slow, smooth, quiet motions. Try to be as unobtrusive as possible if you want to shoot photos of wildlife. Remember that you are trespassing on their territory and they are not very likely to sit idly by while you shoot a couple of rolls at different heights, angles and apertures. Practice makes perfect, and weak shots will always outnumber the good ones.<br /><br />Try to get down to the water level, such as in a canoe or low on the beach or shore. This will give better perspectives and angles than the usual head-high shots that tower over the water and creatures. Be careful of getting your camera wet, but don’t be so intimidated that you compromise on the shot.<br /><br />To shoot fish under the surface of the water, a polarizing filter will remove some or all of the reflection on the water’s surface. If your camera is of the point-and-shoot variety and you can’t attach a filter onto it, you can simply carefully hold the filter up over the lens (be sure your fingers aren’t in the picture). Polarizing filters are relatively inexpensive and are one of the most essential tools of the water photographer. The two images below show how the polarizer can eliminate a lot of surface glare. Note the bright glare at the left of the unpolarized top image, and see how much it is reduced by the polarizer used in the bottom image.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqd6xqApaR1imqh5owr-RyNfMb4emIvP-j2SqcAPOZFDEqJQCpBKKKq3X-hHrnr3tCC3ueOvQJCZU4um_Qh_U_KDF-sIJrvPCntfLj49gSl7mRwXtAYCJpf0IZEYF1XmTR7NLBhrmlIU/s1600-h/photopolaroff.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqd6xqApaR1imqh5owr-RyNfMb4emIvP-j2SqcAPOZFDEqJQCpBKKKq3X-hHrnr3tCC3ueOvQJCZU4um_Qh_U_KDF-sIJrvPCntfLj49gSl7mRwXtAYCJpf0IZEYF1XmTR7NLBhrmlIU/s320/photopolaroff.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365501867811710594" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuuU58YnW1ej-QqcdL5stf6C-qHscPW4vOho649zO2b4RC5yJLclsGOvAis6NlbjRO5R94qQCZS9fLzGTbqmjtHYmiGyDFJGta2RHNPsk6jcWx8WxXKutXFXu8XNsZg3B-m6A7vkZ3jU/s1600-h/photopolaron.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuuU58YnW1ej-QqcdL5stf6C-qHscPW4vOho649zO2b4RC5yJLclsGOvAis6NlbjRO5R94qQCZS9fLzGTbqmjtHYmiGyDFJGta2RHNPsk6jcWx8WxXKutXFXu8XNsZg3B-m6A7vkZ3jU/s320/photopolaron.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365502042390337538" /></a><br /><br />The polarizer will have the greatest effect on the scene when your camera’s line of sight is at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular) to the sun. However, to see rocks and wildlife under the water, try for smaller angles, such as 35 degrees. Not only does this permit a better quality of light, but it is less obvious to the fish and wildlife that you are trying to do something. That uppity trout at Lake Skinner is more likely to notice a shiny, boxy object held up in the air than one that is very close to the water’s horizon.<br /><br />Experiment with these ideas for water photography, and most of all, have fun! You will be happily surprised at the creative, perhaps fascinating images you come up with.<br /><br /><br />Look here for our prior Master Classes:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">Writing Good Poetry, July 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/master-class-five-cs-of-songwriting-for.html">The Five C's of Songwriting, June 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/master-class-experimenting-with.html">Experimenting with Abstract Landscapes, May 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/master-class-preparing-for-excellence.html">Preparing for Excellence, April 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/it-builds-character-master-class.html">It Builds Character, March 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/master-class-labanotation-recording.html">Labanotation, February 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/master-class-singability.html">Singability, January 2009</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/master-class-getting-beyond-cliched-art.html">Avoiding Cliches, December 2008</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-22133361734578638362009-08-02T15:31:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:05:23.642-07:00Fine Arts Bible Study 10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vhov6umFtyssnInw3_G22Ba0uHkBmfsKcpfP_v7rOtgCUOuE-hxq8FpbI3vF-8I5GOLbk5HXD_e5bzuP727kT9_0wwPcXzlHs13iv5uVsURMWuL_AXnVvRrCvOJcDllybdTTvkXulEk/s1600-h/melancholy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Vhov6umFtyssnInw3_G22Ba0uHkBmfsKcpfP_v7rOtgCUOuE-hxq8FpbI3vF-8I5GOLbk5HXD_e5bzuP727kT9_0wwPcXzlHs13iv5uVsURMWuL_AXnVvRrCvOJcDllybdTTvkXulEk/s320/melancholy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365498352963651954" /></a><br /><br />Ask 100 people what character traits come with the artistic temperament and you will likely hear things like spontaneous, creative, being able to see beauty when others don’t, and a number of other rather positive traits. You will also hear words like melancholy, moody, dark, and overly emotional. <br /><br />Artists have a reputation of wearing their emotions on their sleeves. Artists can embrace emotions that other people are uncomfortable with. When I was in college, sometimes, between trips to the Laundromat, all I would have to wear would be a black t-shirt and black pants. When that would happen, I would tell my friends, “Today I am wearing my poetry clothes.” All black, gloomy, emotional. Artists have such a reputation.<br /><br />But, in many churches, victorious living is preached, telling Christians to be strong and courageous no matter what, to the detriment of all other emotions. One Sunday school song even tells our little ones, <em>“I'm inside, outside, upside, downside happy all the time/Since Jesus Christ came in, and freed my life from sin/I'm inside, outside, upside, downside happy all the time.”</em> Really? Is there anybody who is actually happy all the time? Is there any room in the church for someone who is going through upsetting circumstances? <br /><br />Is it wrong to be sad? Is it wrong to be moody? Is it wrong to be discouraged? In many instances, when a person is upset, he or she is encouraged to pray and “give it to God.” After the prayer, he or she is then expected to pretend that there is nothing wrong, and any more griping and bellyaching is considered a lack of faith. But, what does the Bible say about sadness? <br /><br /><blockquote>Matthew 5:4 (NLT)<br />God blesses those who mourn,<br /> for they will be comforted.<br /><br />Romans 12:15 (NIV)<br />Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn<br /><br />Ecclesiastes 7:3<br />Sorrow is better than laughter,<br /> for sadness has a refining influence on us.<br /><br />John 11:35 (NLT)<br />Then Jesus wept.</blockquote><br />So, it’s obvious that sadness is part of the human experience, and God understands that some circumstances will make us sad and melancholy. Even the Prophet Jeremiah cursed the day he was born in Jeremiah 20:14-15, and David wrote, “Darkness is my closest friend,” in Psalm 88:18. <br /><br />Read this passage from 1 Kings 19:3-5 and 9-18:<br /><br /><blockquote>Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep…<br /><br />And the word of the LORD came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?" <br /><br />He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." <br /><br /> The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." <br /><br />Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. <br /><br /> Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" <br /><br /> He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." <br /><br /> The LORD said to him, "Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him."</blockquote><br /><br />So, how are Christians supposed to deal with people who are going through sad times? <br /><br /><blockquote>1 Thessalonians 5:14<br />And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.<br /><br />Isaiah 35:4<br />Say to those with fearful hearts, <br /> "Be strong, do not fear; <br /> your God will come, <br /> he will come with vengeance; <br /> with divine retribution <br /> he will come to save you."<br /><br />Proverbs 15:4<br />Kind words heal and help; <br /> cutting words wound and maim.</blockquote><br /><br />Questions:<br /><br />1. Have you heard of or experienced unhealthy attitudes from Christians toward moods and sadness? How could you respond to someone who expects Christians to always be happy?<br /><br />2. What can you do to help someone else who is sad? What scriptures do you know that might bring comfort?<br /><br />3. Why do we sometimes hear God in the earthquakes and fire, and other times hear God as a still, small voice? What does that say about what a “religious experience” is supposed to be like?<br /><br />4. When Elijah felt alone, God told Him that there were at least 7,000 others who were also faithful to Him. How can this scripture help someone who feels alone going through a difficult circumstance?<br /><br />5. Artists seem to be more in touch with their emotions than other people, but when is someone’s melancholy mood “over the top?” How can we know that we have crossed some line between normal sadness that comes with the human experience and clinical depression, or even attention-getting moodiness? <br /><br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #1 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/fine-arts-bible-study-1.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #2 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/fine-arts-bible-study-2.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #3 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/fine-arts-bible-study-3.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #4 <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/fine-arts-bible-study-4.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #5, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/fine-arts-bible-study-5.html">click here </a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #6, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/fine-arts-bible-study-6.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #7, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/fine-arts-bible-study-7-when-faith-and.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #8, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/fine-arts-bible-study-8.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />To read Fine Arts Bible Study #9, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/fine-arts-bible-study-9.html">click here</a>.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-68724101833257289622009-08-02T15:18:00.000-07:002009-08-03T13:04:42.177-07:00Circle 'Round the Fire: The Inspiration of Native American Dance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTDBW6QCqWYCCHSufnIZjEkaVCn-9Z-e-CfxF-tZJjn0IyH3j_0RLaQFiNploZtp7lTVM7qhqzXv16iVSVPUnlmLZMPlns_2JK-OjuWgAeMKT8tVfcFvNpWWmnAesQrRPaWNTEpO83BM/s1600-h/powwow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTDBW6QCqWYCCHSufnIZjEkaVCn-9Z-e-CfxF-tZJjn0IyH3j_0RLaQFiNploZtp7lTVM7qhqzXv16iVSVPUnlmLZMPlns_2JK-OjuWgAeMKT8tVfcFvNpWWmnAesQrRPaWNTEpO83BM/s320/powwow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365497506180426834" /></a><br /><br />Have you gone camping lately? It’s funny how time moves differently when you’re camping. When it’s dark at camp, what do you do? If you’re like most people, you make a campfire, sit around and tell stories or jokes while making some sort of campfire treat (s’mores, anyone?), and then turn in early. Our biological clocks make it easier to sleep earlier when all the artificial lighting is absent. Maybe, if you’re camping with a group, some people have a skit or a dance to show off at the campfire. Possibly you have a favorite book that you read out loud to your family. These things you do while camping have a connection to how people spent their evenings for thousands of years. Isn’t it amazing how modern conveniences such as electric lights and television have changed the way humans interact and exist so quickly in recent history? For most of human history, people have gathered around the fire in the evenings to connect. <br /><br />Some people have found these gatherings “prime time” to connect with their Creator as well. From Jacob wrestling with the Angel of the Lord all night, to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bible is full of examples of people who used the precious nighttime to work things out with God. It wasn’t that long ago when families would read the Bible together, trying to focus their eyes on the words through the flickering fire or lantern light, before going to bed. At night the world used to stop and everyone, young and old, used to be included in some way in the evening’s final gathering. <br /><br />I’m not suggesting that we go back to a world before 24-hour pharmacies (and any parent who has been awakened by a child at 2 a.m. with a hacking cough would probably agree with me). Part of the fun of camping is the idea that you are “roughing it” temporarily. If we all lived that way all the time, it would cease to be a fun vacation activity. But, with that said, there are things we can learn from the campfire and how it connects us to the world. Below is a video of an Operation Mobilization group in South Africa worshipping God around the campfire. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NGRwEHfovrI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NGRwEHfovrI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And below is another video of Christian youth in India worshipping God by singing and dancing around the campfire.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOuxtWxxK1Y&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOuxtWxxK1Y&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />While this may be fun and interesting as an occasional experience for us, many cultures have worshipped around the fire for hundreds of years. Chief among these in our own backyard are the Native American cultures, who have danced, sung, drummed and worshiped around the campfire since time immemorial. Many of their songs and dances are not Christian and do not worship our God, but dance is dance, whether a Christian invented a particular step or set of moves or not. Of course, eliminating overtly sexual or lewd moves from the public repertoire is good (I don’t care what you do in the privacy of your bedroom, but cut it out in public). But eliminating a whole dance form because someone at one time used it to worship a pagan god would basically confine us to our chairs all day (and even that’s not safe, because some Native tribes in Alaska danced while sitting in chairs). Movement is movement, and God created our bodies to move. Learning some of the expressiveness from other cultures can enhance our own worship of the Living God if we choose to use it that way. Remember that David and Asaph not only set the Psalms to popular songs of their day, but even borrowed instruments and music from their enemies, the Philistines and Hittites. If we can truly adapt another culture's creations for God's glory, why not use them as a fresh, creative and inspiring form of Christian expression?<br /><br />Some of the Native American dances, such as the Bear Dance of the Great Basin people (including Nevada and parts of California, Oregon, and Utah), served to ask for enough food for everyone in the community. Nations in the Great Basin include the Utes, Paiutes, and Shoshones. Below, the Paiutes and Shoshones in Bishop, CA perform a dance and sing. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DT55U8q3kOE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DT55U8q3kOE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />The circle dances of Native Americans in the Great Basin led to one of the United State’s worst military debacles: The Massacre at Wounded Knee. Natives were under increased threat from Whites who encroached upon their lands. They looked for and hoped for deliverance. A shaman named Wovoka told his tribe and neighboring tribes that if they sang and danced, the white men would be expelled from the land. Native American nations from far and wide sent ambassadors to learn Wovoka’s dance, which was in the form of a circle dance. The Sioux learned the “Ghost Dance”, and one time when they gathered to dance, the army massacred them. Learn more about it in this video: <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cI0Jfdkq4z8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cI0Jfdkq4z8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Pueblo Indians (Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California and Utah) did the blue corn dance, where the dancers acted out planting and harvesting corn. The dances of the Pueblos tended to be about water and farming, two necessities of survival in their arid land. <br /><br />More locally, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians used gourd and palm seed rattles instead of drums. They sang for food and before a hunt. Below is tribal elder Pauline Murillo, a direct descendant of tribe founder Santos Manuel, singing a traditional song her mother taught her. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZLoxLLUhrM&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9ZLoxLLUhrM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Cahuilla Indians have traditional bird songs, where the people move like migrating birds. Here is an example of Cahuilla bird songs. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YKqTDlimzkw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YKqTDlimzkw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Closer to San Diego, the Kumeyaay people believed their songs and dances instructed people in how to live moral lives in a spirit of brotherhood. Below is a video of a village elder teaching children how to dance around a campfire. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ISSBI98PLQ8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ISSBI98PLQ8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />What can we, as Creative Christians, take from these examples of Native American song and dance? First, any artist who is serving the Creator should take pains to learn his or her craft well. Usually, when people speak of learning their craft, they are talking about taking classes in the Western European traditions of music, ballet, and so on. Those are important elements in learning, but they aren’t the only traditions that the well-rounded artist should be able to draw from. Second, for most of these dances, everyone is involved, from grandma to the newborn baby. The elders teach the younger generations, and dancing isn’t reserved only for those who are fit and educated. Your particular congregation might not be the type where ladies bring their tambourines to hit and shake during the service, but it wouldn’t hurt to train up some younger musicians, and even get some non-musicians involved in some of the worship team’s activities (how much skill does it really take to hit a wood block?) Third, many of these dances the Native Americans did were reserved for special days and special celebrations, but many were not. I’m sure that when the coolness of the night breeze came past the campfire after a hot summer day of work, many of these dances and songs were performed as an important element of daily life.<br /><br />If your worship of God is reserved for the first half hour of every Sunday morning’s church service, it’s time to broaden your horizons and find ways to worship God daily, find ways to teach your family to worship God, and find ways to make it a natural outpouring of your existence, rather than a once-a-week ritual. <br /><br />What are some other things we can learn from these Native American examples? Leave your ideas and comments below.Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-84262689385763491962009-07-03T22:44:00.000-07:002009-07-03T22:54:46.966-07:00Welcome to Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h. for July, 2009Welcome to the e-magazine/blog for Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h., the Inland Empire's Christian fine arts organization! We hope you will find this to be a useful, enjoyable and worthwhile resource. Here are the newest items in the blog. Just click on the titles to go to the articles:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/july-cafe.html">July Cafe</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/poetry-corner-nations-strength.html">Poetry Corner: A Nation's Strength</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/christian-songwriters-showcase-has-new.html">Christian Songwriters' Showcase Has a New Home</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/book-club-it-was-good-making-art-to.html">Third Quarter Bookclub Selection</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/fine-arts-bible-study-9.html">Fine Arts Bible Study 9</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/inland-empire-happenings-for-july-2009.html">July Happenings: Artistic Events around the Inland Empire</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/artist-profile-rev-howard-finster.html">Artist Profile: Rev. Howard Finster</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">Master Class: Writing Good Poetry</a><br /><br /><a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/songs-about-unemployment.html">Songs About Unemployment</a><br /><br /><br />So, brew a cup of coffee, herbal tea, or whatever you like, and stay a while. This page will be updated monthly with new articles and interviews. Enjoy!You are part of a growing group.<br /><br />What is Artists' Work B.e.n.c.h? This is a place for Christian artists in the Inland Empire of Southern California to mix, network, relax, share, and learn. What types of Christian artists?<br /><br />1. Visual arts (sculpture, painting, glass blowing, etc.)<br />2. Dance (performing, choreography, etc. )<br />3. Music (playing, writing, learning, singing, etc.)<br />4. Creative writing (poetry, stories, etc.)<br />5. Drama/theater (acting, playwriting, directing, etc.)<br />6. ??????<br /><br />Artists Work B.e.n.c.h. is for Christian artists: simply, people who are Christians and who are also artists. Some Christian artists make art exclusively for Christians, but many use their talents in secular ways as well (writing screenplays for television, jingles, playing in a philharmonic orchestra, acting in a community theater, displaying their paintings in a gallery, etc.) All are welcome here.<br /><br />Christians follow the Creator of the Universe, and therefore should be the most creative people in the world. The church has historically been the patron of great artists. Hildegard, the writer of the very first opera, was a nun. Michelangelo, Donatello, Edward Hicks, and many others made art for church and used church subjects.<br /><br />But, today, Christian art is not considered "forward" or "interesting" in many circles. This reputation is well-deserved in most cases. Christian art has become a punchline. In our own little way we hope to change some of that perception.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p>What does Artist's Work B.e.n.c.h. stand for?</p><p>B=BUILD new Christian artists, ministries, avenues.</p><p>E=ENCOURAGE Christian artists to use their talents.</p><p>N=NETWORK with Christian artists, churches.</p><p>C=COORDINATE opportunities for Christian artists to use/exhibit their talents.</p><p>H=HELP Christian artists and help churches utilize artists.</p></blockquote><br />This group is for people who fit one or more of these categories:<br />1.) Just starting out<br />2.) Being used mightily for God<br />3.) Frustrated<br />4.) Seasoned professional<br />5.) Curious<br />6.) Talented amateur<br />7.) Wanting to learn/improve<br />8.) Not sure if God can use your talent<br />9.) Good enough to teach others<br />10.) Wondering if your talent (flower arranging, calligraphy, photography, etc.) even qualifies as art.<br /><br />Christian artists--unite! Let's be creative, interesting, and forward thinking enough to lead the artistic world, while still making quality pieces that reflect our worldview.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/"><br /><img border="0" alt="Free Hit Counter" src="http://www.easycounter.com/counter.php?epistrophy" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.easycounter.com/">Free Hit Counters</a>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-69566425481202127682009-07-03T21:13:00.000-07:002009-07-03T22:44:05.533-07:00July Cafe<div>The best way to have a good, creative idea is to have lots of ideas. Here are some ideas that might get your creative juices flowing and keep you from getting into an artistic rut.<br /><br /><strong>July birthstone: Ruby<br />Flower: Larkspur</strong><br /></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iye1SdjksKzOUVFBaDzm0ku8o-tWy4kf5KJCk7LuPeGgoPKNsxUIo_U9L_SYHc1O-dAw_7ArRyY7oG7AkSbRrSgNB_ngt1xwmyQ98dBkIPlfb5aaourFmf0yN546OjUH3yACzPv2RHk/s1600-h/RocketLarkspur.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354454707759114034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8iye1SdjksKzOUVFBaDzm0ku8o-tWy4kf5KJCk7LuPeGgoPKNsxUIo_U9L_SYHc1O-dAw_7ArRyY7oG7AkSbRrSgNB_ngt1xwmyQ98dBkIPlfb5aaourFmf0yN546OjUH3yACzPv2RHk/s320/RocketLarkspur.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>July- National Blueberry month</strong>- <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/goodthings/blueberry-fabric-stamps">Click Here</a> to find out how to make an easy blueberry print using corks. You can also use the same idea but a different color to make cherries, grapes, etc.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WP8MKFTX1dDdCzBYhvaB7XNOEYh-7hKI1_j8bDkB0cS6O_dspcEXd3GTxpDofnaHuxEyBWpRCeTSJpE3g_XFeWBGBxj4mQKage8fIpL3Y6peProi6ftslgn2eF6OKPf0MiCfhTli04/s1600-h/ice+cream.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354455685988157346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WP8MKFTX1dDdCzBYhvaB7XNOEYh-7hKI1_j8bDkB0cS6O_dspcEXd3GTxpDofnaHuxEyBWpRCeTSJpE3g_XFeWBGBxj4mQKage8fIpL3Y6peProi6ftslgn2eF6OKPf0MiCfhTli04/s320/ice+cream.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>July 1- Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day</strong></p><br /><p>Are you ruing the days because the kids aren’t in school and are driving you crazy? Why not get them to flex their artistic muscles by making ice cream sculptures out of salt dough? Afterward, you can treat them to real ice cream as well. The picture above was taken from<a href="http://www.swiss-miss.com/2008/07/kids-project-ma.html"> here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuwOt6YxMnK7GwCrQkFKFsc_daT28iSGa0fNyTaqIi-BUzlEYhlNF83mjbrCAx9r5NWiV0boGYVHskWNVi0j3-VGD4mqH-0rBv4Q4B74KLcDixVYIl9UVLbF7Y3l_uFMmS-oE_k39laQ/s1600-h/fireworks-a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354456376306507586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuwOt6YxMnK7GwCrQkFKFsc_daT28iSGa0fNyTaqIi-BUzlEYhlNF83mjbrCAx9r5NWiV0boGYVHskWNVi0j3-VGD4mqH-0rBv4Q4B74KLcDixVYIl9UVLbF7Y3l_uFMmS-oE_k39laQ/s320/fireworks-a.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>July 4- Independence Day<br /></strong><br />The 4th is always a nice day of family picnics and fireworks, but the pictures usually leave me disappointed. For ideas about how to get better fireworks photographs, <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks">click here</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZHRjTMns3qrdqhY21Bc522KAt-WW7f_d0X8mJX48mVyl5JaIoHsm8iRt1zmxpxxGLOMFQT0AemV1XYYSnyzKeKCWnQP1ICAUyjfTH9X9XlpUBUS6rYSaHj7b2s4rwQ6k6wAsohKg3LI/s1600-h/choc11.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354457671816192418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZHRjTMns3qrdqhY21Bc522KAt-WW7f_d0X8mJX48mVyl5JaIoHsm8iRt1zmxpxxGLOMFQT0AemV1XYYSnyzKeKCWnQP1ICAUyjfTH9X9XlpUBUS6rYSaHj7b2s4rwQ6k6wAsohKg3LI/s200/choc11.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>July 7- Chocolate Day<br /></strong><br />Shoes made of chocolate (yes, those red pumps are chocolate)? How about a city-scape? <a href="http://pingmag.jp/2007/07/27/sweat-designs-with-cocoa-in-mind/">Click here</a> to see an exihibit one gallery had with creations made of chocolate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvFfVdx-fKIniu3Kf5AnciRLZFlH364xYzx3I_lktM7vUI3ZwEjnaio-S2-TpcIfbATkKMBMnkdnNHoB2JoEVkdM8_bcwBDOQ4-8yk364RjT19bB800dn6KQr1vIOgMtyHruRF1ASVvM/s1600-h/eye.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354459355073961122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvFfVdx-fKIniu3Kf5AnciRLZFlH364xYzx3I_lktM7vUI3ZwEjnaio-S2-TpcIfbATkKMBMnkdnNHoB2JoEVkdM8_bcwBDOQ4-8yk364RjT19bB800dn6KQr1vIOgMtyHruRF1ASVvM/s200/eye.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><strong>July 12- Different Colored Eyes Day</strong><br /><br />What is the color of your best friend's eyes? What about your relatives' eyes? Take this day to look into the eyes of others. It also brings to mind a condition called heterochromia, where one person has two different colored eyes. Some famous people with this condition are David Bowie, Jane Seymour, and Christopher Walken.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rqih1dmvCkw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rqih1dmvCkw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>July 13- Barbershop Quartet Appreciation Day</strong><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tV7GfydJ9A4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tV7GfydJ9A4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>July 14- Bastille Day<br /></strong><br />Did you pay attention in high school history class? The United States celebrates July 4, but France celebrates Bastille Day. <a href="http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/bastille-day.htm">Here </a>is a website with history, recipes, and celebration ideas to make this a special day.<br /><br /><strong>July 17- Yellow Pig Day<br /></strong><br />This is a holiday invented by university mathmaticians. They chose July 17 because it is a special number. Did you know that the average person breathes 17 times per minute and it takes 17 muscles to smile? The White House has 17 bathrooms, and there are 17 species of penguins. Why is this day called Yellow Pig day? Because yellow pigs have 17 eyelashes, of course! Enough of a reason to celebrate this day? Well, <a href="http://www.yellowpigs.net/yellowpigs/index">click here </a>to find a lot more information including lyrics to special Yellow Pig Day carols.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH7a_nvIitjgRBWsfbrEb8iGkVAsi2vCQIGpRfh3vlhiqPqjj2jGWhUiVFCiHQC8BEKWXaqdnbfnN8Fi19D1AAnL8IoN-Ykxyx7Drpunf6Uv78K7gaCCIUP2bgcJDhKW9Jtw4EAww-Bw/s1600-h/MoonWalk.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354465871212680882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuH7a_nvIitjgRBWsfbrEb8iGkVAsi2vCQIGpRfh3vlhiqPqjj2jGWhUiVFCiHQC8BEKWXaqdnbfnN8Fi19D1AAnL8IoN-Ykxyx7Drpunf6Uv78K7gaCCIUP2bgcJDhKW9Jtw4EAww-Bw/s400/MoonWalk.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>July 20- Moon Day<br /></strong><br />This day commemorates the first landing and walk on the moon by humans on July 20, 1969. <a href="http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/idealabs/walking_on_the_moon/index.html">Click here </a>to see an interesting Smithsonian web course about this historic event.<br /><br /><strong>July 24- Amelia Earhart Day</strong><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAP9IBnYlm4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dAP9IBnYlm4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycNXIP7agpsF9ToB03LSCvvRSIqtSTZo-utcxFD-Igw5kzeAIO-nT3i65_QRf42ghiLLaNLuoMcX6BRqDjplJryZ6iPkLw36Dp3jWzH42e3M-mBIzWtWcoL2l5HyKj2FPplLQp0Ds364/s1600-h/culinary.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 119px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354468868551722930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycNXIP7agpsF9ToB03LSCvvRSIqtSTZo-utcxFD-Igw5kzeAIO-nT3i65_QRf42ghiLLaNLuoMcX6BRqDjplJryZ6iPkLw36Dp3jWzH42e3M-mBIzWtWcoL2l5HyKj2FPplLQp0Ds364/s200/culinary.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>July 25- Culinarians' Day<br /></strong><br />This is a holiday for everyone who likes to cook. If you are a musician who likes to cook, why not combine your two talents today and make this guitar sandwich? <a href="http://littlenummies.net/?p=464">Click here</a> for directions. If you poke around on that website, you will find a lot of interesting snacks and fun things to do with food.<br /><br /><strong>July 27- Take Your Pants for a Walk Day<br /></strong><br />Despite the imaginative title, this is not a day to put a leash on your wardrobe. It's a day to get out and enjoy a stroll. <a href="http://www.trails.com/activity.aspx?area=11208">Click here </a>for information on hiking trails in the Inland Empire.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXlYKc3hSKDfRdSpqv-EN36v0UlNp8EnsqfWKDljF0LxtEQwg7Q09fVdxXhKBZhOE2oL37tkT6wqQdEcah5SKLIMUBwmOpVo7S7m61UT6ydXy2f7_2w_bbx9ya3qohWT4TdvwF1q6eEc/s1600-h/Book-MuttStylingGuide.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354473369449978562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXlYKc3hSKDfRdSpqv-EN36v0UlNp8EnsqfWKDljF0LxtEQwg7Q09fVdxXhKBZhOE2oL37tkT6wqQdEcah5SKLIMUBwmOpVo7S7m61UT6ydXy2f7_2w_bbx9ya3qohWT4TdvwF1q6eEc/s320/Book-MuttStylingGuide.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>July 30- Mutt Day</strong><br />Three things to do on this day:<br /><br />1. Love your dog. <a href="http://www.groomersmall.com/muttstylingbook.htm">Here</a> is a link to a book called <em>The Mutt Styling Guide.</em><br />2. Read a Mutt and Jeff cartoon <a href="http://www.cagle.com/hogan/webextras15/Eisman/MuttandJeff.jpg">here</a><br />3. Learn about Duchamp's Fountain and consider what makes art art (he signed his Fountain installation "R. Mutt"). <a href="http://artintelligence.net/review/?p=29#more-29">Click here</a> for a discussion on this topic.</p>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7498176284819675745.post-68526885100624933212009-07-03T21:03:00.000-07:002009-07-03T22:56:34.830-07:00Poetry Corner- A Nation's Strength<div align="center">July is the month we celebrate "America's Birthday." We decided to include a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson called "A Nation's Strength." While Emerson's spirituality is questionable in many cases, this poem does ring true and makes one think.<br /><br /><strong><font size="4">A Nation's Strength</font></strong><br />by Ralph Waldo Emerson<br /><br />What makes a nation's pillars high<br />And it's foundations strong?<br />What makes it mighty to defy<br />The foes that round it throng?<br /><br />It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand<br />Go down in battle shock;<br />Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,<br />Not on abiding rock.<br /><br />Is it the sword? Ask the red dust<br />Of empires passed away;<br />The blood has turned their stones to rust,<br />Their glory to decay.<br /><br />And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown<br />Has seemed to nations sweet;<br />But God has struck its luster down<br />In ashes at his feet.<br /><br />Not gold but only men can make<br />A people great and strong;<br />Men who for truth and honor's sake<br />Stand fast and suffer long.<br /><br />Brave men who work while others sleep,<br />Who dare while others fly...<br />They build a nation's pillars deep<br />And lift them to the sky.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x58xMzNcyn7fRtBpOV8T9BQhsbkOpB4HWsRjpsbRs9ClzsRigDFXPX_Gje-dpjt4-aSojegBxm5UxKFpCzUjnl2Gyh0YeeRMvpAa4VdfJf2Zg3J-zRZx_zatN5mXOP0nSqeLiFBv80E/s1600-h/nation's+strenght.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354451972579925346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6x58xMzNcyn7fRtBpOV8T9BQhsbkOpB4HWsRjpsbRs9ClzsRigDFXPX_Gje-dpjt4-aSojegBxm5UxKFpCzUjnl2Gyh0YeeRMvpAa4VdfJf2Zg3J-zRZx_zatN5mXOP0nSqeLiFBv80E/s320/nation's+strenght.jpg" /> <br /><p align="center"></a><br /><em>painting above by Thomas Hart Benton</em><br /><br />To read the master class on writing poetry, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/07/writing-good-poetry-tools-of-adult-poet.html">click here</a>.<br /><br />Below are previous poems we have published on this site.<br />To see June's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/06/poetry-corner-o-sweet-irrational.html">click here</a>.<br />To see May's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/05/poetry-corner-gods-world.html">click here</a>.<br />To see April's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/04/poetry-corner-unselfish-love.html">click here. </a><br />To see March's Poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/03/gods-grandeur-poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see February's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/02/februarys-poetry-corner.html">click here</a>.<br />To see January's poem, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/poetry-corner.html">click here.</a><br />To see the poem for December, 2008, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2008/12/heavens-snowflake-by-wendy-kohlhoff-so.html">click here</a>.<br />To read a poem by Steve Turner, <a href="http://artistsworkbench.blogspot.com/2009/01/work-bench-book-club-update-january.html">click here</a>.</p>Todd and Christiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132004294403763440noreply@blogger.com0