Art & Faith Conversations

On 9/11 I was flying home to the United States from Switzerland when the pilot came on the intercom and said we'd be landing in Newfoundland due to attacks on the U.S. I share my story every year in written from so decided to put it in audio form on the podcast. It is one of hope and mercy on one of the darkest days in history. Please consider a dontation to the podcast to help continue the production of these episodes and continue to share our stories with one antoher.  Donate amount of your choice here Follow the podcast https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/ To read or share the written version of the story visit: https://vividartistry.org/blog-1/2022/9/10/my-911-story Email: artandfaithconversations@gmail.com

Bette Dickinson is a prophetic artist, writer, and speaker who invites audiences to connect with God through visual parables of the spiritual journey. Bette earned her MDiv through Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and has worked with ministries like InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, World Vision, Infinitum, and Kensington Church to awaken the soul through beauty and wonder. She tells about her new book, Making Room in Advent-25 devotions for a season of wonder. Each devotion features an original painting to draw you in and fill you with wonder through a fresh telling of the Advent story from the gospel book of Luke. The book is available for pre-order til Sept. 13 which includes bonuses and a 30%off discount for the Art & Faith podcast listeners. Enter the code ARTFAITH at check out for the discount! Order the book: https://www.ivpress.com/making-room-in-advent Links for Bette: https://www.bettedickinson.com https://www.instagram.com/bette_dickinson/ Support the podcast with a financial gift of your cho

 A short seaon finale wrap up episode with host, Libby John, who shares some of the honest truths about keeping a podcast going. She also gives a commission to artists to be confident in their role as "border-stalkers" who don't ever feel like they quite fit in like artist, Mako Fujimura, talks about in his book Culture Care. Don't miss the special benediction blessing she shares at the end. To support the podcast and help continue the production of these episodes please visit to make a donation! Your support is much appreciated! https://givebutter.com/artandfaithpodcast OR you can text artandfaithpodcast to: 202-858-1233 to donate    

Gregory Andrus is a photographer, author and speaker who has a powerful story of overcoming alcoholism and homelessness. After a near death expereince, he found he'd been given a second chance at living. This became a catalyst to him discovering his artistic gifts and callings to highlight the diginity of others through sharing the portraits and stories of total strangers he meets along the coast. This project became known as Portraits of the Jersey Shore which Gregory compiled and released in a book.  He just released a second book of beautiful photography called Sand, Sea & Rescue which features the brave, young lifeguards of the Jersey beaches. Gregory wanted to bring attention to the stories of those who run towards danger to help rescue others to give them a second chance at life as well.  To find Gregory's work visit: Portraits of the Jersey Shore https://www.facebook.com/portraitsofthejerseyshore Follow the podcast on IG and please leave a kind review where you listen! https://www.instagram.com/art

Michael Gatlin, along with his wife, have served as senior pastors of the Vineyard Church in Duluth, MN since 1997. Michael is also a member of the National Board of the Vineyard movement and has helped plant many churches over the years. Before his full time career in pastoral ministry, Michael worked as a designer and also had a thriving vocation as a watercolor artist. He has walked through many highs and lows in his art and faith journey and shares a unique perspective as a pastor and an artist who continues to pursue beauty and joy in everything no matter how challenging life can be. To connect more with him: https://duluthvineyard.org https://jmichaelwatercolors.com We reference the Brehm Residency, to find out more visit: https://www.fuller.edu/brehm-center/brehm-for-artists/ The podcast and more: https://vividartistry.org/podcast-1      

Allison Davis is a writer and photographer who chose to embark on an adventure of photographing the west coast of the United States in 30 days. It was the height of the pandemic, her calendar of doing wedding photography was wiped clean and she was ready to take a risk. Fueled by passion and faith, she set out to capture all that she could with her camera in a 30 day trip along the west coast. Not knowing what each day would hold, she found herself bearing wtiness to unfathomable beauty all along the way. She encourtered endless wildfire smoke, high winds on the edge of cliffs, sun breaking through the darkness and countless other captivating moments. She's compiled them all into a book called, Revealed at the Edge, which is available to pre-order and includes prayerful meditations as a compantion to the stunning landscape images.  To find more out more visit: https://www.revealedattheedge.com https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revealedattheedge/west-coast/ https://www.AllisonDavis.co To connect with the g

Ryan Diaz is a writer, a poet and a theologian from Queens, NY. He  talks about the deep well of cynicism he had found himself in even though he had been active in the church most of his life. It was his return to reading and writing poetry that revivied him and awakened him to the awe and wonder of God all around him. Ryan is an award winning writer, poet, and theologian from Queens, NY. He holds a BA in History from St. Johns University and is completing a MA in Biblical Studies. His writing has appeared in publications such as Transcendentals, Dappled Things, Ekstasis, and Premier Christianity. His first poetry book, For Those Wandering Along the Way, debuted in 2021.  You can find his book at https://bookshop.org/books/for-those-wandering-along-the-way/9781666716559 To connect with the greater work of the podcast visit: https://vividartistry.org Follow us on social media https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/     

Hosts, Joy Ike and Libby John, wrap up 2021 with reflections on the year and how things have gone. They then each share a few of their favorite things they've been enjoying recently which range from a favorite album or podcast to a favorite food or spiritual practice. Links to favorite things shared in the episode: Sara Groves New Album Being Known Podcast by Curt Thompson Alaya Naturals Collagen & Biotin Commoners Communion Prayers & Podcast The Podcast: Contact the podcast Music Provided by Dear Gravity: Music for the Podcast       

An audio contemplative meditation on Advent with scripture reading, reflection and poetry. "Into the Darkness" reflects on the dark or desert places we find ourselves in, waiting for God to answer our prayers. Through this Advent meditation, we are reminded that we are witnesses to the light and the darkness has not overcome it.  Poetry by Madeline L'Engle "Into the Darkest Hour" Music provided by Dear Gravity https://deargravity.net Join our mailing list to stay connected to the podcast https://vividartistry.org

Matt Tommey is an author, mentor and woven sculpture artist based in N. Carolina. He teaches and leads visual artists through his mentorship program, The Thriving Christian Artist, where they gain skills in their craft and business but also in co-creating with the Holy Spirit. in his new book, "Prophetic Art", he talks about what prophetic art is, some misconceptions about it and simple ways to invite the Holy Spirit into the creative process. https://www.matttommeymentoring.com/what-is-prophetic-art.html Prophetic Art Book Art & Faith Conversations Podcast    

Josh Tiessen is a visual artist based in Ontario Canada. He has coined his style as narrative hyperrealism and often juxtaposes animals in abandoned remnants of human civilization to highlight irony and parody, the hallmarks of postmodern art. As a teenager, ranked among the world’s foremost realist artists, Tiessen was juried in as the youngest member of International Guild of Realism, Artists for Conservation and Society of Animal Artists, elite groups of the top nature and wildlife artists worldwide. As a young adult, Art Renewal Center designated him “Associate Living Master,” and New York based gallery Jonathan LeVine Projects awarded him First Place from 2000 artists in their international competition Search for the Next Great Artist. LeVine presented the emerging artist’s debut international solo exhibition in May of 2019. His thematic body of work titled, "Streams in the Wasteland" exhibited in 2019 and is now available in its entirety in a hardcover monograph book. Each painting has an original score

Carolyn Arends is a singer/songwriter, speaker, author and teacher. She also serves as Director of Education at Renovarè Institute, founded by Richard Foster who authored the transformative book, Celebration of Discipline. Carolyn joins the podcast to talk about two new recent albums she just released, stories behind the songs and how her art has been spiritually formative over the years as her roles evolved from music to writing and teaching as well. Carolyn shares some fun stories from her past music touring with Rich Mullins and her early career in Christian music and she offers deep insight on how artists can continue to co-create into the future with God. To find out more about her work and Renovarè visit: https://www.carolynarends.com https://renovare.org To support the production of these episodes visit: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Justin McRoberts is an author, speaker, artist and creative coach. His newest book, It Is What You Make Of It, is about creating something great with what you've been given rather than accepting circumstances as they are. Justin has authored several books including his prayer book collaborations with illustrator, Scott Erickson which was featured in Season 5 episode 1 if you'd like to hear that interview. For more information on Justin's work visit: http://justinmcroberts.com For a bonus clip of this interview visit: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast 

Ekstasis is a digital and print publication where art meets academia and kingdom meets culture. Conor Sweetman, founder and senior editor, describes the vision behind Ekstasis as publishing work that slants toward the triumphant and glorious aspects of life in Christ, framed through life, the arts and literature. Ekstasis was recently acquired by media organization, Christianity Today, which Conor is excited about and he bases the aesthetics of the publication on the work of Beautiful Orthodoxy, as defined by Christianity Today.  To read essays and order print copies of Ekstasis visit: https://www.ekstasismagazine.com https://www.instagram.com/ekstasismagazine/ To connect with the podcast find us on IG https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/ Or visit us: https://vividartistry.org/podcast-1

Scott Sauls is a pastor and writer who talks about making Christianity beautiful again by responding to the world with the gentleness of Christ rather than perpetual anger and divisiveness we see in culture. Scott has served as a pastor to many artists while leading Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN as well as during his years he served at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. We talk about the pitfalls of Christian celebrity culture, the tortured artist syndrome and also his newest book, A Gentle Answer. To find out more about Scott and his writings visit: https://scottsauls.com Connect with the podcast on IG or Patreon: https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/ https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Andrew Lazo joins the podcast to talk about community, creativity and what he's learned from C.S. Lewis and the historic, literary group the Inklings. We also discuss why the Narnia books are some of Lewis's most mature works and how the deep friendship between Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien influenced them both greatly in their faith, writing and creativity. Andrew Lazo is an internationally-known speaker and writer specializing on C.S. Lewis and the Inklings. Andrew earned his Masters in Modern British Literature from Rice University where he was a Jacob K. Javits fellow in the Humanities. He is a frequent speaker around the U.S. and U.K. and has written several articles on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In 2009, Andrew published Mere Christians: Inspiring Encounters with C.S. Lewis. In 2014 he also was honored to transcribe, edit, and publish a previously unknown book of C.S. Lewis,’ “Early Prose Joy,” which was Lewis’s very first spiritual autobiography. Andrew currently attends Virginia Theological Seminary pr

Sho Baraka is a recording artist, performer, activist, and writer. He joins host, Joy Ike, to talk about his new book on the power our creativity has on repairing a broken world. The combination of his academic history and music career brings a unique perspective to the exploration of faith, creativity and justice.  Sho has served as adjunct professor at Wake Forest School of Divinity and was an original member of the hip hop consortium, 116 Clique with Reach Records. His book, He Saw That It Was Good-Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World, is available for pre-order and releases on May 18th. https://www.barakaology.com Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Christine Hiester is a spiritual director, artist and musician. She describes spiritual direction as more of a companionship and a journey of deep listening alongside another person in the presence of God. She talks about how she came to spiritual direction through the avenue of art making when she experienced a deep depression and felt like the ability to pray was torn from her. We also talk about when and why it's a good to seek out spiritual direction. This episode concludes with a 5-6 minute guided prayer meditation on our identity as the Beloved. For details on Christine's upcoming mini retreat May 29th, connect with her through her website or Instagram. https://www.shapingtheriver.com https://www.instagram.com/shapingtheriver/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Songwriter, Andrea Sandefur, joins me to talk about a role she felt called to as an encourager and caretaker of the creative souls of her church. She tells the story of when and how she felt called to that role and how she carries that out with an artists event she helps curate at her home church in Wasilla, Alaska. Andrea is a songwriter and also a contributing host to Theophany Media's podcast called "Creatively Christian." Learn more about her work at: https://andreasandefurmusic.com https://theophanymedia.com/creativelychristian/ Art & Faith Conversations is listener supported. To give a one time financial gift or ongoing support of as little as $2/month to help keep these conversations going visit: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Contributing host, Joy Ike, talks about the freedom we find in the giving away of our creative gifts and the risk that it takes to realize we don't need to hoard the things we've been given. She says, "you can't add to what you have when your default is to bury it in the ground and protect it from the world."  Joy is a music artist from Philadelphia. NPR's All Things Considered describes her work as poetic and perfectly complemented by a unique blend of neo-soul, with just the right dash of pop. Joy is also an artist consultant and coach and helps others develop their unique voice in their craft and career.  Visit her website to view her work. https://www.joyike.com Connect with her: Instagram: @joyikemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyikemusic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joyikemusic Spotify: https://spoti.fi/34WhzXK email: joyikemusic@gmail.com   Join the podcast community: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast