Aug 18, 2009

Last Week's Art Night!

On Friday, 8/14, was our first Arts Night @ Common Grounds. Graffiti artist, Ramon Trevino, the current gallery artist, shared in depth his story and how God captured him and then released his creativity for use in meaningful ways! Meaningful Graffiti. Not two words you'd naturally put together. But when God's behind it, they are a perfect fit.

Not only did we get to hear Ramon's heart, he gave us a demonstration - we all wondered how you get a thin line with the spray can. Well, there are different spray nozzles to put on the can of your choice. They are interchangeable! Genius! And the paint he uses is not purchased in Lowes or Home Depot. Evidently, Germany is known for their graffiti artists and they produce professional graffiti spray paint. That is where Ramon gets his supplies, online.

There was a time for questions and we used every second of it, picking his mind about graffiti and gangs, and vandalism, and graffiti art vs "tagging" - Ramon has lived in the illegal graffiti world many years and now, as a creative artist in love with Jesus, he still crosses over, but this time - to shine His light into the darkness through his love for God, the art of graffiti, and the kids who are caught up in the negative aspects of that sub-culture. God's really using Ramon's influence. His new name is "Redeemd:1" as he proclaims his life redeemed. But it doesn't stop there - he feels that God wants to redeem the world of graffiti, as well.

Graffiti artists are people with no place to paint, so they resort to factory walls, trains, and mini-malls. Ramon would love to have a place where these talented people, mostly kids, can express themselves in a legal and safe way. Maybe God will open up a door for that to happen!

His website is called RedGraff. He does murals and canvas work. He also teaches kids about graffiti and the tricks of the trade (on canvas! not for illegal use.) At Arts Night, his wife, Abby, was wearing a RedGraff tee-shirt that cracked me up, "Support your local graffiti artist." I'd like one of those.

Thanks to all of you who attended in support of the Arts Ministry at LWCC and for supporting our local, very talented, artists.

"Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?" Benjamin Franklin

Grace & peace ~ deAnn

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