An Artist’s Way ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Every day is a blank page, an empty canvas, an un-chiseled block of marble.  We choose what we put on it.  We decide what we put on it.  We never leave it blank.  Our art, the poem of our lives, is always up to us. 

No matter what the situation or circumstance, we choose what we add to the canvas of the day.  We love or we do not, and those brush strokes paint the day.  We speak kindly or we do not and those words are written on the hearts of others.  We chisel away and sculpt beauty or horror at our choosing.

The Creator, the Divine Artist desires that we create as we are created, in his image.   He wishes for me to compose small symphonies to meld into the great song that are filled with beauty and empty of discord.  The choice is always mine.  I can write on my blank page life or death.  Let us agree, Dear Reader, to write, sculpt, paint, and create love and life together.

The Poem of Your Life – Michael Card

Life is a song we must sing with our days

A poem with meaning more than words can say

A painting with colors no rainbow can tell

A lyric that rhymes either Heaven or Hell

We are living letters that doubt desecrates

We're the notes of the song of the chorus of faith

God shapes every second of our little lives

And minds every minute as the universe waits by

The pain and the longing

The joy and the moments of light

Are the rhythm and rhyme

The free verse of the poem of life

So, look in the mirror and pray for the grace

To tear off the mask, see the art of your face

And open your earlids to hear the sweet song

Of each moment that passes and pray to prolong

Your time in the ball of the dance of your days

Your canvas of colors of moments ablaze

With all that is holy

With the joy and the strife

With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

With the rhythm and rhyme of the poem of your life

The pain and the longing

The joy and the moments of light

Are the rhythm and rhyme

The free verse of the poem of life

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

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An Artist’s Way ~ Create

Greetings Dear Reader,

If we agree to see that God is an artist, what does it mean to us as humans?  What are the implications for the guy or gal who drives a cement truck or builds water mains?  If we agree further that we are created to be sub-creators, then we are obligated to create.

That obligation then means that every day I need to create.  For those who do “art”, it is simple.  You write, paint, or make music daily.  Those who labor as artists in things like construction or office work may not see the application as obviously.  It is, however, there.  There is artistry in a pristine proposal.  The beauty of properly and safely poured cement is only obvious after it has dried.  The raw parts of a building do not reveal their magnificence until the building is almost complete.

I would go further.  There is a unique elegance to work done with honor and integrity.  If we put our heart into anything, we create whether it be a simple meal or a mundane spreadsheet, we have created.  We must understand that the Creator asks us to create all that we create as if we are doing it just for him. 

It is vital that I approach every task in the day with an attitude that I am serving the Creator by creating well.  Doing my best becomes an act of worship.  The well-written plan, the clean floor, and the tidy room can all become offerings of our best to the one who loves us most.  If the foundation is love, then doing everything out of love for the Artist is a way to constantly express the artist we are created to be. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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An Artist’s Way ~ The Art we Know

Greetings Dear Reader,

Consider with me for a moment the man-made art you know well.  Whether it be paintings, sculptures, music, or books, we may know a great deal about that art form.  No one knows everything there is to know about it.  No one completely understands the motivations and inspirations of all their favorite writers, painters, or musicians. 

My younger Son, Bezel once told me he was astounded at my vast knowledge of music.  I am always amazed at his knowledge of film and actors.  In all honesty, I feel that even though I know a great deal of music and carry many tunes around in my head, my knowledge is a very small corner of the vast sea of melodic entertainment that is available in the world. 

When we think about our human knowledge of art, we do not see that we know very little as often as we should.  Rather, we think that we know a great deal and much of what we call knowledge is actually speculation.  Let us then take a very large step back and consider the universe.  We know a great deal more than we knew even a century ago.  We have increased in our knowledge and understanding of it in the development of String Theory and Quantum Physics. 

The idea that we know enough to ultimately define anything is absurd.  We have only begun to understand what our cosmos is made of and how it works.  A friend of mine explained it this way, and it scans: Suppose you have a king-size bed covered with a quilt made of one-inch squares.  This represents the universe.  You may know everything there is to know about the bottom left-hand square.  You may study it all your life.  Then, you look up and see that there are many more squares about which you know little or nothing. 

Michio Kaku, the world-class physicist has been misquoted as saying that one can prove that God exists through math.  What he has actually said is that given the beauty and elegance of the cosmos, there must be an intelligence behind its design.  When we see the beauty and grace of creation, it feeds into the logic that there must be a creator.  We do not say that any of the other great masterpieces painted, composed, or wrote themselves into existence.  We even name the whole of creation the “universe” or the one-song. 

With the advance of String Theory, we see that the vibration of the strings is perhaps what composes that one song.  I ask then, Dear Reader, who is it that strung the instrument and plucks the strings.  When I see that vast elegance and hear its music, I know who I believe has composed it.  Unlike some, however, I see the love and harmony in the song and long for us to stop causing the disharmony that we create.  It is a love song and we need to listen more closely.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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An Artist’s Way ~ Galaxy Flowers and Fibonacci Fruit

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday my sister posted a lovely picture of a Galaxy Flower.  If you have not seen them, they are breathtaking.  They really do look like there are galaxies on the petals.  The design reminds me so deeply of the way in which the Universal Artist loves to remind us to look up.

If you have not taken the time to view the pictures available from the Hubble Space Telescope, there is a great beauty to be had there.  One can see the birth of galaxies and the multitude of planets we are discovering.  The wonder and majesty of the cosmos is never lost on me.  I cannot look at it all and deny that there is an Artist involved. 

The other plant feature that amazes me is the way the Fibonacci Sequence appears in nature.  From Dandelions to Raspberries we can see the order and sequence of the universe as designed by its Maker.  In case you have not figured it out, I believe that the universe and any multiverse or parallel universe was created by God.   I do not deny science or that there are questions that still need answers.  I do believe that the only true opposition between faith and science is that opposition that exists between the finger and thumb.  We can do very little without both.

I digress.  For an understanding of the Fibonacci Sequence in nature, I recommend the post by The Deep Friar on the matter.  He handles the subject much better than I could.  I find that the prevalence of the magic set of numbers is a strong argument for intelligent design of the cosmos.  Further, it reminds me every time I see a bit of creation that employs it and has beauty that the Father is an artist. 

We are artists because we were created by one.  We appreciate the beauty and the way the universe is structured because we are drawn to these things by our nature.  There is so much to behold in the artistry of all that is natural.  I love being able to be thankful for it to the Father.  How about you Dear Reader?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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An Artist’s Way ~ Sunrise Sunset

Greetings Dear Reader,

At the place where I spend my morning prayer time, I often get to see the color of the sky long before the sunlight cascades through the window or the rain drums upon it.   I used to live on the Atlantic coast and had a picture window that treated me to hundreds of sunrises filled with richness and beauty.  After that, I lived on the beach on the Gulf coast and enjoyed many fiery sunsets just as lovely.

The morning and evening light show are something I ponder often.  Given the idea discussed yesterday, that we are in a place of constant creation, it makes me consider the many ways that the Creator expresses his artistry.  The sun, our light and sustainer of life for this world, is eternally rising and setting.  The Father constantly creates the beauty of dusk and dawn. 

He gives us daily opportunities to see that he is an artist and has created artistry in us.  We are one of the many ways he expresses his creativity: Psalm 65:8 (NIV) “The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.”  In our wonder at the beauty of the world, do we remember to see the Father in the creation of it?  Do we see that he is expressing his love for us through creativity?

My creativity often finds inspiration in creation.  I am almost always moved by beauty in the sunrise and sunset.  I must follow my Creator and his example of constant creation.  Like the sunrise, I can choose to be constantly creating space for new love, kindness, and grace within me in outwardly toward those I encounter.  In that call is also the call to create more life and hope.  I am going to see creation as an expression of love from the Father and find better ways to share it with others.  You are welcome to join me Dear Reader.

Dawn Spawn

By Aramis Thorn

Salmon dawn swims against the darkness,

Spawning another day.

Yet it is we who face the peril of fighting the flow,

Ours is the call to return

to that place,

to that time,

to our birth.

It is our internal call to move upstream,

to climb the falls,

to defy the very nature of things,

to prevent the death of day.

So that when today’s fight against the ever-encroaching darkness is done,

We have given birth to more light, more love, more life.

So that that day will come when day will never need spawning again.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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An Artist’s Way ~ Constant Creation

Greetings Dear Reader,

I was in the North Carolina mountains most of the day yesterday after church.  I went to a specific place to pray for someone I love.  As I drove through the Chattahoochee, Cherokee, and Sumter National Forests, I saw the full force of Spring making its presence known and felt. 

I was reminded of a Resurrection Sunday years ago when traveling with this same person.  She was overwhelmed by the deep rich variations of green in the freshly blooming world.  Tolkien says it well in his poem I Sit Beside the Fire and Think, “In every wood, in every Spring there is a different green.”  I felt this same rush of the beauty of constant creation. 

I realize that you do not all agree with my view of how we got here.  Still one must acknowledge the vast artistry in the world through which we travel.  I have the added bonus of having someone to thank for it.  I am sure you would not begrudge me that Dear Reader.   

I mentioned a few weeks back that we are always on the mind of God.  Job says that if the Father was to stop thinking of us for an instant that we would cease to exist.  We are also, therefore, in the state of constant creation.  The Father renews his love and mercy to us moment by moment.  We who are requested to create are in a state of constant creation.  We are asked to imitate the Father in this.  We are asked to render new and beautiful things from what we are given.

Ponder with me what this world could be like.  Consider with me what it is that we must do.  We are permitted to render new things from our gifts, our abilities.  We can use our intellect and will to create things that make lives better, fuller, and richer.  If we do this out of love for the Father and each other, we can truly render amazing things.

When I write, I do so as an act of worship to the Father.  I work to hone the gift he has given me.  I want to do this every day and have my life sustained through this work.  What is your art Dear Reader?  I want to hear about what you create even if you think it mundane.  There is great beauty in simplicity.

Doulos – Kemper Crabb

You are my God

And I am your man

I will follow you

With the work of my hand

And the thoughts of my mind

And the love of my heart

If the world could know

If they could understand

Ah, the exquisite touch

Of the Creator's hand

Brings a blur to my eye

But makes my vision clear

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your throne

Here is my ear

Drive through the nail

The world will know

By the ring that I wear

That I am not for sale

For you are my God

And I am your man

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your throne

A ring to show

Just where I stand

A ring that binds my heart

Into your hand

You are my God

And I am your man

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

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An Artist’s Way ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

In a discussion with my brother recently, we were dwelling on all the beauty in the world.  We talked about how much of it has a transitory nature.  I was reminded of something my dad used to say when we would be out seeing amazing things in the world, “Look now because it would never be the same again.”  This has remained with me for life.

The thinking I have been doing around that also reminds me of a book that created major changes in my approach to my writing and its place in my following Christ.  The book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is one I would recommend to any artist and not just writers.  You can acquire it quite cheaply if you do not mind purchasing used books.  I often give my copy away so I often have to buy it.

I realize that some of you may be thinking this irrelevant to you as you are not an “artist”.   One of my thoughts is to challenge that.  Artistry is not limited to art as defined by those in the arts.  There is an art to creating everything whether it is painting, writing computer code, or overseeing the installation of large water mains by the highway.  We are all artists of what we do or create.  There is a reason for this.

We are designed by a Creator to create.  We are intended to be sub-creators.  We are meant to bring into the world good and better things.  I cannot draw anything that looks like it is supposed to look.  I can create with words.  I can play the guitar and flute and have composed a song or two.  I cook a fair meal.  I can do some technological things that have beauty in them. 

The point is that I long to create and I believe that we all have this same longing is some way.  I would like to spend some time thinking through the artistry of the Father and how it helps us understand his love for us in a better way.  There is great beauty in this truth.  I would invite you to walk with me for a bit and discuss the artist’s way along the journey.  Your artistry is a poem that you create for the world whether you ever show it or not Dear Reader.  I long to know you better and value the uniqueness of how you are created to create.  Please keep me company as I strive to more deeply understand the Artist that created me to “bring forth new and old things from his great treasure store.”

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Contacts for Aramis Thorn:

Support Page on Patreon: www.patreon.com/aramisthorn

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Captains Courageous - Creativity

Greetings Dear Reader,

"Without freedom of choice, there is no creativity. Without creativity, there is no life." – James T. Kirk – TOS: The Return of the Archons

One of the things I see is a subtle curbing of creativity in the world.  We have all seen the posts about political correctness and protests against this or that social view.  I am not taking a position on any issue.  What I am concerned about is our lack of creativity when it comes working against or for the things that matter to us.

Is seems we have lost the idea that we can do something other than shout epithets and descend into violence.  An example of what I am pondering is a town in Germany that tricked Neo-Nazis into raising money for an anti-extremist charity.  Basically the convinced townspeople to donate money to the charity for the length and number of the march.  If we did this instead of giving attention to the nasty things in our world it would do a great deal of good.

We could also be more creative in solving the social problems that are ever mounting.  There are many ways we could take better care of each other but we instead choose to be selfish and spend our resources on things we do not need.  It should bother us that one of the most secure money-making businesses in our nation is self-storage.  Think about that for a moment. 

Without creativity, we become drab and lifeless.  We lose the vital vibrancy of life.  We were created to be sub-creators.  Tolkien’s essay On Fairy Stories deals with this much better than I could.

Create Dear Reader.  Be sure to create things that make life richer.  Value the creativity and your spirit and use it to make the world a better place.  I know that I need to do this daily.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)