painting

The presence of the light

Paintings are not only for looking at: they can be used to inspire group discussion; as a focus for prayer, either on their own or linked to a display or installation; as a focal point in workshops to inspire other art forms; or to link parts of a sermon.

Have you considered using your church to host an exhibition of paintings with a Christian theme?

The Diamond

Kate Austin is an ArtServe member and an artist who runs pray-and-paint workshops and quiet days, and hosts art exhibitions. Her website is called ChristArt and can be found in our weblinks. The figure against the golden background - our 'paintings' thumbnail image is also by Kate. Each of her paintings is accompanied by a verse and she hopes you will find the following example useful.

Some resources

The Nuns of Turvey Abbey produce a number of sets of posters and CDs with inspiring artwork on a number of different themes.

The Methodist Art Collection is another wonderful online resource consisting of over 40 works by renowned artists such as Graham Sutherland, Norman Adams and Elizabeth Frink. A DVD entitled Creative Spirit is available to assist in using several of the works from the collection.

Claire Hackwood

new_fruit_claire

Claire Hackwood has contributed some of her pictures for the website and has written an explanation to accompany each picture. Clare introduces herself as follows:

I am a Christian artist working in the West Midlands and a member of Grace Vineyard Church Walsall, part of the Vineyard Churches movement. I have always had a keen interest in the visual arts and, as such, I read Art History at the University of Nottingham and studied Fine Art at A-level.

Creative Spirit

Creative Spirit is a new resource for the Church based on the Methodist Church Collection of Modern Christian Art.

Intended for both group and individual exploration, this rich resource is based on works of art depicting the Christian story.

It is designed to encourage people to respond imaginatively and creatively to the Bible from a non-didactic approach, and is compiled by Sarah Middleton, Elizabeth Moore, David Hollingsworth and Neil Thorogood who are artists and educationalists from within the Methodist Church, Church of England and United Reformed Church.

Creative Spirit - reviews

We are pleased to publish reviews of this exciting new resource. Please let us know how you have used and found it.

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