The Power of An Image, The Power of a Story

This post is not about politics, you may agree or disagree with the presenter of this Ted Talk, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry. Here’s what the Ted Site says about the video.

When war between Israel and Iran seemed imminent, Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry shared a poster on Facebook of himself and his daughter with a bold message: “Iranians … we [heart] you.” Other Israelis quickly created their own posters with the same message — and Iranians responded in kind. The simple act of communication inspired surprising Facebook communities like “Israel loves Iran,” “Iran loves Israel” and even “Palestine loves Israel.”

Whether you agree with his sentiments or not, you can see the power of an image. People who have been at odds for millennia see an image that tells a better story and all of the sudden they want to be a part of the movement. That’s the power of a story and an image. Our creative ideas can make people think. They can change hearts and minds. Now take it a step further and imagine images empowered by the Spirit of God what could happen? I think the possibilities are endless.

So here’s what you need to do? Look for the burden on your heart. I know that sounds churchy, but it’s easy to find. It’s the thing that worries you. The thing that weighs on your mind. The thing you look at and think Someone should really do something about that. That’s your burden. Now take it to God in prayer and ask God to anoint your creativity to the end of making a difference about it. Then and this is really important. Get to work, finish it and ship it. Get it out there in front of as many people as possible. You may just find God will use you to start a movement. At the very least, He will ease your burden and let you know you’ve been faithful. You’ve done something.

Each One…

The founding verse of this ministry is 1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others.

My hope is that each of you will find a way to serve someone with your gifts. I don’t tell you this just because you should, I tell you this because in the process of being a blessing, there is a real blessing for you as well.

Case in point. I just got done doing one of my favorite things to do…

This is me painting a sign at Alpha Omega Players in Birdsboro, PA. I love what they do there. They help a lot of people, develop, build and discover their talents. All those are things I really believe in. My own son has benefitted tremendously from their work. This is the kind of organization I really love supporting. One of the best things I can do to support their work is offer them my talents. It’s great. The theater gets service from me, but I have benefitted even more. I have made so many friends, learned so many things, and had so many great experiences at this place, it’s been even more beneficial for me than it has for them. It just goes to prove the old adage. You can’t outgive God.

How are you using your gift? Find someone who could use your gift and volunteer!

Looking for a way to make a difference with your creativity in the New Year

Here’s something I’m going to try:

One of the easiest ways for you to make a real and eternal difference in this world is Child Sponsorship. Around $40 a month can meet the physical, spiritual and educational needs of a child who really needs it.

What if you could create a piece of work once a month and sell it for $40 and donate that money to Compassion to help a child? It doesn’t seem like a gargantuan task, does it? You get to make art, develop your talents, build your platform and know that you are helping to make a real difference in the life of a child.

I’m going to do it. Who is with me?

For more information on Child Sponsorship, click the Compassion link on the left side of the page.

This blog has over 100 subscribers and many more who peek in from time to time. What if each one helped one? We could make a dent in a real problem and change a lot of lives.

Two of the Best Artists in the World Teaming up for a Great Cause

Check out this video and do what you can!

Repurposing…

I was on a vacation/speaking trip this past week. One of the highlights of the trip was taking my wife Dawn to the Country Living Fair in Stone Mountain Georgia. While, as a man, I was in a clear minority at the event, I have to admit I love this event because of the amazing creativity I see there every time. There was some great original art, but what always really hits me is the repurposing. People finding new uses for such a diversity of objects. It’s mind-blowing.

Beyond that it is a very responsible use of God’s Kingdom resources. I’m not a radical environmentalist, but I do believe we are biblically mandated to care for God’s creation. Think about it, in repurposing, you can create a new work of art, help to save the planet and maybe even raise a few dollars for a worthwhile project. It’s a win-win-win situation.

So here’s the challenge, find something around the house that could probably end up in a land fill and make it into something useful or decorative, then take a picture of it and post a link to it in the comments.

Here’s what I got. Isn’t it cool? It’s made from old license plates and I really wish I had come up with it. What a great idea!

Seeing all this great stuff inspired me to come up with a new T-shirt slogan. If you want one, click on the graphic.

 

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Get to repurposing and get creative! It’s another way to use art to make the world a better place.

 

Creativity Contest to Help People in the Persecuted Church

I found this contest online and thought my readers might be interested.

I saw the line one body many gifts and it instantly hit home. After all that’s kind if what AMOKArts is all about, right?

The organization is called One With Them. I’m not in any way affiliated with them, but I love what they’re trying to do so I thougtht I’d let you know about it. It appears they’re  looking for writers, visual artists and videographers to create awareness about the persecuted church. The winner of the contest will win a top-secret trip to meet with real persecuted Christians. Sound like an eye-opening experience. The video below tells more…

 

Find out more on the contest page of onewiththem.com 

As 1

I was going through my email and found a note from the president of Grace Hill Media. This project is so what AMOKArts is all about. I had to pass it along.

“Dear Grace Hill Media Community -
As I look back over the last twelve years, I marvel at where the relationship between Christianity and Hollywood was, and where it is today. From near pariah status, Christians are now a burgeoning part of the Entertainment Industry – it’s nothing short of miraculous! But over the last year, I’ve personally wrestled the reality that, despite our gains, there remains a big chasm of mistrust between the Christian Community and the Hollywood Community. How can that be healed?
Over Memorial Weekend, I was at a retreat and heard Erwin McManus speak. (If you ever get a chance to hear him – he’s remarkable!) The comment he made that really hit home with me was, “If you desire the world to be a better place, you will imagine ways to do it.” Erwin is so right! Christians must be change agents in creating a better world. Which brings us to today.
We have launched a new non-profit organization called As1. Watch this video to find out more:

I guess you could say As1 is about making Christian projects huge hits. But as I’m sure you’d agree, that’s much too small a vision – hence the restoration of the church as Patrons of the Arts, who seek not only a renewed relationship with the creators of culture, but to develop equally talented Christians to join their ranks. For those of you who have traveled in Europe, you know there was a clear time in history where the Church and Artists worked together to create great art. I don’t see any reason why we can’t get back to a relationship like that again.
If you want to check out the website, it’s a simple URL: www.As1.org. You can also Facebook friend us at http://www.facebook.com/WeAreAs1. It’s my hope that you’ll lend your support to this effort to change Hollywood forever. You’ll be hearing a lot more about it in the coming months. In my opinion, this is the bright future Christians have been longing for with Hollywood.
As1 – Unite For Good.
Warmest regards,
Jonathan Bock
Founder of As1
President of Grace Hill Media”

If you want more information go to http://www.as1.org/

Beware of Artists Part III

The quote is one of which I never get tired. I’m rendering it in a few different pop art forms in hopes that many of my creative friends will grab the concept and make Queen Victoria’s nightmare come true. You see she said, “Beware of artists. They mix with all classes of society and are therefore most dangerous.” In a world where many artists become elitist, I want to be an artist and lead a tribe of artists that reach across all borders and use our gifts to serve humanity for the greater good. Care to join the movement?

I’m currently working up a page called Beware of Artists. Which will be found soon at http://www.bewareofartists.org that will offer an online gallery, creative challenges and more. To check it out before it goes completely live go to http://bewareofartists1.wordpress.com

New Print, New Initiative from My Most Popular Post… BewareofArtists.org

Queen Victoria once said, “Beware of artists – they mix with all classes of society and are therefore most dangerous…” I love that quote and wear it like a badge of honor. I posted it to my blog almost two years ago and it still gets more hits than almost anything I have every posted. Sounds like it resonates with people. I am working on a street art initiative now for my ministry AMOKArts.com and it’s going to be called Beware of Artists. Details coming soon to BewareofArtists.org

For a poster print of this piece, click the image or click this link to get it on a T-shirt.

VOTE NOW to Help Raise Funds for Clean Water

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Yes you have seen this post before. I am posting it a second time because voting is now open and will remain open until July 13. If you missed it, the details on the project are below.

When I saw the IllustrationFriday.com Challenge was Refresh I had a swirl of thoughts. The first of which was the refresh button on a web browser. Then I thought that would make a great logo for a bottled water product. From there I started to think of Jesus’ offer of living water from John 4. I was originally just going to design a mock up of an ad for this product and tie it to scripture and then I opened another e-mail from World Vision act:s. It turns out they are looking for designers for skins for Miir water bottles.

So I decided to take that project on too and combine the two. If my design is selected (by your votes), the manufacturer will give a dollar for every bottle purchased to clean water charities to provide clean, safe, water for people who desperately need it.

I am going to break one of my rules and post this posting twice. I’m posting today so it makes it onto IllustrationFriday.com but I will post again on July 9, which is the day the voting opens. Please vote for this design of for than matter any other designs you may like and then when they come out, buy a bottle. Let’s help save some lives with World Vision act:s

Voting opens July 9 and remains open until July 13.