I awoke from a dream in which my extended family enjoyed a stay in a huge home located high in the mountains. As I explored this expansive home, my heart leaped with anticipation at the opportunity for us to be together. For you see, when my family gathers, our exchanges often include far more than just friendly chatter. We share our recent artistic pursuits right along with life updates.
landscape acrylic original by Gina Wilson
This morning I wonder about talent specific fellowship—those priceless times when you exchange faith inspiring stories, life-application scriptures, and current artistic interests. You spend time with others who love what you love; writers nestle next to each other and share insights over computer screens; an auntie and her niece create pen and ink sketches while chatting about their artistic projects.
pen and ink fairy by Elya Filler
Your sister helps you set up a photo shoot in her art room for the cover of your new book.
“Aren’t we blessed to have a family full of artists?” I chortle as my sister, daughter, and I create art together.
“Yes we are.” My sister replies.
I also enjoyed talent specific fellowship over the phone with my mother a few days ago.
“I found several writing journals when I was cleaning out cupboards.” The pitch in Mom’s voice dances, excitement hugs every word.
“Really. What’s in them?” I ask.
“Oh, just my musings. But I thought, I should share these with JoDee.”
“I’d love to read them, Mom.”
I’ve always viewed my mother as the quintessential artist and crafter but in recent years, she has unearthed a writer’s life I never knew existed.
She went on to explain some of the pieces in the journals, and I could hear the vulnerability and yet trust in her voice. I knew she had pushed past self-protection to hand these over to me.
These recent situation I had the privilege of participating in have left me wanting more. So I decided to push past my self-protection and join The High Calling’s book club. The task is to read and blog about Breathe for the Bones: Art, Imagination, and Spirit: A Reflection on Creativity and Faith, by Luci Shaw. I’m late. They’re on chapter 5, but I finally listened to my heart’s cajoling to join. I’ll keep you posted as to my reading progress in the weeks to come.
Do you enjoy talent specific fellowship? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject and any experiences you’ve enjoyed.
Lovely landscape JoDee.
Reading your mom’s old journals sounds like fun, and I am sure you will have some entertaining conversations.
My father’s father was a painter, but I am not sure where the artistic gene was lost in our family.
oooh . . . Talent Specific Fellowship . . . I like the sound of that. My niece is coming over this weekend. She’ll be fourteen in a few weeks. One of our favorite things to do is create together. (Well, I enjoy doing this with her brothers too but she and I share something special). I can’t wait to just get messy with her, fling some paint around and see what we come up with!
And I like your thoughts about “pushing past self-protection.” I think that’s where I am right now, in so many ways. I’ll have to email you my favorite quote from Madeleine L’Engle, where she talks about “throwing ourselves away” in the creative process, like a child at play. And children are generally so uninhibited and unaware – there is no self-protection for them to push past, in most cases. So these days, I’m longing to play like a child at my work. Throw caution to the wind and just make a mess (my other hangup, besides all the self-aware thoughts I long to shed!)
I’ll have to check out that book by Luci Shaw . . . she and MLE collaborated on a beautiful book about friendship a few years ago. You would probably enjoy it!
Dianne, would you consider converting this comment into a post? You get the essence of what I tried to present and added insights that I really think need to be shared. You described the essence of what we creative types try to rediscover, “…children are generally so uninhibited and unaware – there is no self-protection for them to push past, in most cases. So these days, I’m longing to play like a child at my work. Throw caution to the wind and just make a mess.”
By the time students enter my middle school literacy classes, most of their childlike artistic expression has been snuffed out. No wonder we adults struggle to create like children again.
I also love that you’re going to create with your niece. Make a mess, enjoy yourselves, live!!!
slamdunk, I laughed out loud when I read your comment, “My father’s father was a painter, but I am not sure where the artistic gene was lost in our family.” Who knows, if you keep visiting this website, you just may get the urge to pick up a paint brush.
JoDee! I am so glad you will be joining us! This book has really awakened the muse for me. What a blessing to be part of a family who creates together and shares the joy in all the beauty. It makes a difference, I think, to have folks around you who understand that deep need to put a face on that need for beauty.
Here’s the link for the latest book club post if you would like to link to it too, I post every Monday at the High Calling:
http://www.thehighcalling.org/culture/breath-bones-be-brave-words
Thank you, Laura. I’m looking forward to the book’s arrival and the benefits I will receive from not only the author but from all the other participating bloggers.
YOur are going to have some amazing insights after reading your Mom’s journals! What a blessing JoDee! and what a brave Mom you have! B
That’s pretty cool that you photographed your book cover image. I can’t wait to see it.
Christine, I played around with some ideas but have a consultation with the cover design person today. They will create a cover based on my design idea and then one of their own. I then pick which one I like the best. I’m excited to see what they come up with.