Artists are Theologians Bad theology damages people and cultures. It leads to abuse, legalism, traditionalism, and countless problems. We all agree we should be aware, and resist buying into bad theology. But what about good theology? Do you consider what theology fosters healthy creativity, inspires your imagination, and builds a culture of human flourishing? This […]
The Importance of the Artist’s Elevator Pitch The Disaster One evening, I was at an art event where visual artists were able to share their work with a prominent art gallery owner and dealer who had discovered some very important American artists. Let’s call her Fran. The event was orchestrated by one of my Catalyst […]
Is Perfectionism Killing Your Creativity? In today’s performance-driven culture, it’s easy to believe that if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing. We strive to be the best, and long to create work that is as perfect as possible. But the pursuit of perfection, while sounding idealistic, is toxic, damaging your creative network. Whether you […]
Reenchantment: From Prometheus to Jesus Reenchantment has been a growing topic of conversation in recent years. There is a longing for more than the modern and post-modern eras offered us. Christians and non-Christians alike are expressing a longing for transcendent beauty and mystery. Science cannot deliver on its promise to explain everything. We know there […]
Disney versus Tolkien: Why Tolkien Hated Disney Tolkien hated Disney? Did you realize that Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit was published only a few months before Disney’s original Snow White movie came out in 1937? Tolkien watched it with his friend C.S. Lewis, and insisted that Disney never adapt his works! He saw how Disney removed […]
Slaying the Dragon of Sentimentality: Why Aesthetic Maturity Matters What’s On Your Wall? The Capital One commercial provokes you, “What’s in your wallet?” because your wallet symbolizes who you are, how you spend your money, and what you value. Maybe you’re a successful leader with a fancy credit card, a gym membership, crisp 100-dollar bills, […]
Stop Selling Your Art Cheap Every year I encounter artists who are afraid to charge what they’re worth. It paralyzes their career and strangles their hope of having the career they could have. Some are surrounded by people with a low view of art. Others live in cultures where ambition is a dirty word. The […]
The Hero’s Journey vs. The Disciple’s Journey One of the most celebrated frameworks for understanding story is The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell. It is the most celebrated approach to writing a story for novelists, screenwriters, and filmmakers today. Campbell captured the imagination of George Lucas and countless creatives. His unique claim was that all […]
How To Be An Artist Telling Parables Like Jesus When you think of great artists, do you ever think of Jesus? He was always speaking in parables that confused the Pharisees, and even made the disciples scratch their heads. Jesus told stories like a great artist, because he knew that great art and great stories […]
Stop Settling: How Real Humility Produces Deep Passion, Not Passivity Living passionately and pursuing humility can sound like polar opposites, like putting one foot on the gas and the other on the brake at the same time. And yet, we are called to do both. Christians are called to love passionately. We are called to […]