My son made this for me…

And I really like it. If you’d like to help some other creatives to find their passion and build their ministries, repost the graphic and link it to AMOKArts.com!

My Son the Blogger…

My son Chris has started a blog annd if I do say so myself, he is pretty good. He’s blogging about his transition to college life and the journey thrrough college. I think it could help a lot of folks. At the very least, he’s telling a better story. Check it out!
http://wheneverifindmyself.wordpress.com/

Trying a Different Style… The Foray into PopArt Continues

Recently, while on vacation, I got inspired in some galleries and museums to try my hand at a different genre, namely pop-art. While I figure it is probably the closest genre to what I do, it still feels like I’m stretching and that is good for an artist.

I’ve been looking at the work of Warhol, Lichetenstein and various other pop artists. I love the way they expressed people so I decided to do a piece or two using a photo of my son Chris as the subject. He got a pair of star glasses in the dollar bin at Target and posed with my wife in equally interesting props for some gag photos. I loved his expression so I thought I’d use it. Chris does community theater so for the shading on his face and hair, I used the titles of the shows he’s done so far. I’m having a great deal of fun on this foray into a different style of art. Hopefully you like them too.

The first one was more inspired by Lichtenstein, though it also feels somewhat reminiscent of art from a Japanese Game-Show.

This one is obviously reminiscent of Warhol:

What would it take to stretch you out of your creative comfort zone? Try a new style, a new medium, or just a whole new way of doing things. It’s a great way to bring you out of a creative rut. You may find a whole new way to express yourself.

Hi everyone

Christ Weiss in Children of Eden

Sorry for their not being a major post today. I have been sick for a few days now and while I am coming out of the woods I still feel pretty lousy.

Please keep my son Chris in prayer tonight He is playing Father (God) in the Musical Children of Eden. The kid can sing like nobody’s business and his papa’s pretty proud of him. Just pray that he does well and brings glory to God in the process.

What Serving God Looks Like

The picture below may be my favorite picture ever. Maybe it’s because you can’t see my face, I don’t know. Seriously, I love this picture, it’s me and my son Chris who was about three at the time painting our shed. Well he’s 17 now, we just got him his first car over the weekend. He’s almost grown up, but I still look back on this time, as one of my favorite memories.

I’m not sure why. It’s not like I really love painting things that don’t look like pictures when I’m done andI’m sure when I set out on this mission I wasn’t doing backflips over having to get it done. I’d be willing to bet there was something I would have rather been doing. But none of that matters now, what matters is the feeling I get when I look at this picture. A feeling of great joy. My little son was trying to help me.

Folks this is what it looks like when we serve the Lord. Chris was trying so hard to help, but he was a toddler. He wanted so badly to do the job well, but he was three. I could have done the job faster, more efficiently and with less mess by myself, but that wasn’t the point. My child wanted to help me. He wanted to stand by my side and do this thing with me and that gave me joy. A child who I love more than life itself was trying to be like his daddy and so something to make a difference, something to serve me. God is the same way, I think. There’s nothing we can do that He can’t do a billion times better, faster, and with less mess but when the objects of His love and affection, His children want to be with Him and serve with Him, the love and joy in His heart must be overwhelming.

The next time you think about serving the Lord, don’t feel pressured to impress Him, just take up your brush and join Him on the wall. He’ll do all the heavy lifting but your effort will make Him smile.

What Serving God Looks Like

Bible Reading Guide
An important part of following God is knowing what He wants and a great way to know what He wants is to read His Word. Follow this plan and you will finish reading the Bible in a year.
Genesis 41, Job 10-11, Psalm 4
You can also download your own chart here.

One for the refrigerator door

Sometimes you do stuff because you need to and sometimes you do it because it might be fun. Last night I was at my son’s rehearsal for a production of Urinetown. They have a song in the show called Don’t Be the Bunny and as soon as I heard it I started seeing pictures. Before long this video came out. It’s kind of just for fun and yet I was reminded of something I read in the Bible whatever you do, do it as if you were doing it for the Lord. So with the time I had and the resources I had and just had a blast with it. It was mostly done over the night because I couldn’t sleep so I used that time to do something productive, once again using what I had. Even the stuff we do for fun can be a blessing.

By the way here is the latest excerpt from this week’s message. You can see the whole message at http://www.tangle.com/amokarts1

Proud Papa Moment

One of the great joys of my life has been my involvement with the Alpha Omega Players here in PA. I’m sort of set painter/artist/whatever is needed at the moment. I got involved with them when my son Chris decided he wanted to give community theater a try. Here he is playing the lion in their upcoming presentation of The Wiz. Check it out.

Then find an organization in your community that can use your gift and get involved. It’s a great opportunity to serve and build great and lasting friendships.