Graffiti & Spoken Word Artist

So very cool. "I'm not the artist. I'm the canvas."

May you be inspired ~

grace & peace,
deAnn

Being Remade

Tonight's "show and tell" at the Open Studio was beyond words. We had about 17 people share their canvases from November @ The Studio's IMAGO DEI workshop. Some people completed all three canvases others one or two. The three canvases are The Obvious Me, The Hidden Me, and the Created Me. Hearing each person explain their prayer-filled canvases with such vulnerability and honesty was incredible. We were on holy ground.

I know there are about 17 more who participated in Nov @ The Studio but their schedule didn't allow them to attend this evening. I can bet that many of them were also deeply touched by God's presence while working on their three canvases. I felt so privileged to hear how He is moving in people's lives as they expressed themselves through their mixed-media artwork.

God is at work in incredible ways. Art reveals, it transforms, and it heals... when we invite Him into our creative process through prayer.

In April 2012, we'll have a full exhibit at Living Word featuring our Imago Dei canvases. The walls will be filled with visual stories of Jesus' transforming love. April is the perfect month for this display as we humbly move into Good Friday's message of Jesus' passion beyond imagination - we are forgiven. The celebration that the empty tomb brings is that we are being transformed more and more into Imago Dei, the Image of God.

We are being remade. We have the chance to become the person that God created us to be. Thank you, Lord.

Thank you again for the artists and creatives who participated tonight. I hope to hear the stories of those of you who couldn't attend. Maybe we'll do another "show and tell" to give others a chance to share how they experienced God's love and truth through this workshop.

Grace & peace,
deAnn

Friday's Arts Gathering

Artist Reception, Friday, 12/9 for Joseph Becker.

An awesome evening.

Thanks to Barry and Susan for providing the food and coffee!

Enjoying Joseph's art work.

Community. Love it!

At Living Word's Gallery @ Common Grounds Coffee Bar.

Joseph (white shirt) talking with some friends.

Arts Gathering.

Part of the exhibit.

What a nice evening...

Author Georgia Shaffer @ Pages!

Georgia Shaffer, author, life coach, and speaker.

We are so excited to have Georgia Shaffer share with us how God called her into a writing career. It's a great story!

Join us at a special Pages on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in Living Word's coffee bar rooms A & B.

It is a privlidge to host Georgia as she shares about the early parts of her writing journey. She's a respected author and speaker and you don't want to miss this.

Hope to see you there.

Grace & peace,
deAnn

Friday, 12/9 - Meet Artist Joseph Becker

Artist Reception for Joseph Becker, Friday, December 9 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM at The Gallery @ Common Grounds, Living Word Community Church.

Please stop by and meet Joseph and see his exhibit, which spans 25 years. Enjoy Seattle's Best coffee, light appetizers, and desserts. Read the write up in the York Dispatch.

I hope to see you there!

deAnn Roe

The Created Me Self-Portrait Workshop

Doug gets creative and finds a make-shift light box.

Matt & Luke working hard.

Abby and Vince in full creative mode.

Janet is cutting and pasting.

Michelle and her acrylic paints.

Maggie's beauty.

Mali's work.

Paint blob, evidence of creativity at its best.

Jenn's mixed media piece.

Bonita's canvas.

Laura's work of art as a work-in-progress.

Renee's masterpiece.

The beginning of Jess' Created Me self portrait.

We have completed the month long theme of Imago Dei at The Studio. Three self portraits were created by each person: The Obvious Me, The Hidden Me, and the Created Me. It was a very fruitful exercise and many were touched by the creative process that was steeped in prayer.

For a special treat, please come to the Open Studio on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:30-8:00 PM. Bring your canvases from November @ The Studio and share what the experience was like. See others works and hear their stories.

It will be a cool time of sharing and continuing to build community among artists.

Grace & peace,

deAnn

I Played My Best for Him

Yes, it's only December 1st and I'll be honest, I began listening to Christas music on Thanksgiving. Christmas music has really been speaking to me. Lyrics I've heard over and over have become mute to my ears and heart. Sure I sing along merrily, but I rarely take in the rich lyrics as I have in recent years. However, God really captured my emotions when the familiar song, "Little Drummer Boy" came on my Pandora Christmas Radio Songs station. I've always dismissed the song, only hearing the prominent "pa rum pum pum pum" segments. But this time, I really listened the lyrics. Actually they went straight to my heart. I'd like to share them with you, minus the "pa rum pum pum pum's."
Come they told me,
A new born King to see,
Our finest gifts we bring,
To lay before the King.


So to honor Him,
When we come.

Little baby,
I am a poor boy too,
I have no gift to bring,
That's fit to give the King.


Shall I play for you
On my drum?


Mary nodded,
The ox and lamb kept time,
I played my drum for Him,
I played my best for Him.

Then He smiled at me,
Me and my drum.

At The Studio in December of 2009, I passed out these lyrics to everyone. We read through them quietly and shared anything that stood out. Some stated that they never took note of the lyrics before and really liked them. Others made mention of certain parts of the song, "I have no gift to bring, that's fit for the King." One mentioned the fact that the animals kept time - which brought up a neat thought about how nature participated.

There isn't a line in this song that doesn't speak to me. I can relate to the little drummer boy, as I believe all artists/writers can. I am a poor boy (girl, actually), with no gifts to bring, fit to give a King (Jesus). But all He wants is for us to show up and play our best for Him (or paint our best for Him, draw our best for Him, write our best for Him, or create our best for Him).
Then He smiled at me, me and my drum (or canvas, writing piece, etc.)

As we head into the busy Christmas season, remember the words of the "Little Drummer Boy." It has a deep spiritual message for each of us. Often we judge our "best" by how the world reacts to our artwork. But God doesn't see it that way. As an offering for Him, He only expects we show up and do our very best.

Then He smiles at you, you and your art...

Grace & peace,
Merry Christmas,
deAnn