It all began with a picture

Most of my art works start off as a blurry or maybe even clear image in my head...i don't know what they are or how to achieve the look i have pictured in my head but i know that once i start drawing or painting...i travel. My thoughts travel, i see so much more in the art than i did initially. But the funny thing is that when i'm done with the art, it looks completely different from what i thought it would look like. There is barely any similarity with the image i had in my head and totally no resemblance with my original sketch.

Artist should not be so careful with their art, but let their imaginations run wild.

Just a painting (sober reflections) I really like by a Nigerian artist. 

MUSIC VIDEOS.

I'm also not that into music...well i like classical, oldies and Gospel and a select few and so i dont really watch many music videos unless they pop up on the T.V. Anyways, I was kind of impressed with some of the music videos shown in class especially the ones by the boys (not sure what they call themselves). the videos were genuine and not boring or predictable and thankful not the kind of music videos i regret watching after they are done..like most videos today by 'popular' artistes. I also liked the one where half the scree was going backwards and the other one that had a lot of optical illusions..,

SORRY FOR THE RANDOM PICTURE...I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO PUT

VIDEO GAMES

I'm not a fan of video games but i admire the way the independent video game creators were persistent and did not let the love of their art die because of the tough tough things they had to go through to get heir games out. I also like how they were not profit driven but do what they do because they love to do it.

Wow, I was reading through the article by E.J Park and it was a complete waste of time...it was like watching those nauseating videos on Facebook that just don't make any sense...5 minutes of my life I can't get back. So he really wants his savior to be a kung-fu fighter that dies at the end ... he wants a messiah that can do what everyone else can. It felt like i was reading an write by a misinformed child. Well, i'm not going to spend more time trying to explain all the errors in his philosophy or way of thinking.

IT WAS ALL HORSE POOP! (excuse my words)

Art and Fear

we must not be afraid of fear but be afraid of getting the best of us. As Christians and artists, fear is an enemy but fear also drives us closer to God and as artists, we can let fear push not defeat us. “I’m always afraid that the bubble’s going to pop,” he says. Joel Trussell says in his interview,“This year has been so amazing for me, I’ve gotten to work on so many great things. But who knows? You make a few bum music videos, and people are going to be like, ‘Forget this cat. He’s not making anything.’ I’m very worried about that constantly. Constantly. And I wonder about my options, too. What do you do then?” He doesn't cower at these thoughts but uses them to thrust himself forward by being diligent and brave. Having fears and being afraid are two different things. 

ANIMATED MUSIC VIDEOS, BRILLIANT!!!!!

I think it is beyond creative to make music videos animated rather than live action. I don't hate live action but i love animation, so ...
Anyways, I like how animation leaves a wider space for imagination. I watched "War Photographer" by Jason Forrest, Darin Bendall, Gene Blakefield, Chris Fox, Doug Gordon and Leo Riley. It's totally cool, it probably might make people uncomfortable but the beauty of this video is the message even though the vikings and pirates might be a little distracting, I like how I get the message without it being handed over to me on a platter. At first, I though it would be a tragic video about war and the effects of war because of the fancy name "war photographer", but it really was talking about the power of music and how music can accomplish far more than expected. Music is a tool and in the hands of a good artist can fight better than the traditional weapons....you know, speeches, strikes, protests, guns, bombs or even the pen. Music is a fun and creative way to speak up, not to be rebellious but to be radical (about good things though)
Or i probably missed the whole point of it and it is in fact a video about war or maybe something completely different....

this is the link to the video BTW - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtYEz4OKCn8

The words behind a picture.

I have come to really appreciate pictures ... I have realized that sometimes pictures speak louder and deeper than words. Pictures do not only capture lovely moments, they preserve them and take us back to those moments when they are long forgotten. 

i like this picture especially...how you can imagine all he has seen and experienced
how you can guess how much of the world he has seen and knows.
how the deep lines on his face and the white beard on his chin indicate how wise he is.
beautiful capture.

Animated documentaries.

the animated document about the artist was beautiful. Yeah the pictures were absolutely disgusting sometimes but that is what makes it so beautiful. Animation was the best form because it revealed the brokenness, the pain, the anger and the emptiness people feel. The interviewer probably went to a little place where homeless people who had drug problems. We are quick to judge them because we cant see how destroyed they are on the inside. When we do get the opportunity to see their brokenness, we learn to embrace them and understand them. I don't like the fact that the guy (the one who was interviewed) still lived a broken life till he died.

a random but beautiful photograph ...

Can someone please explain?

What does Professor Leeper mean when he say we need to talk about sex? What does he say about what the Church is preaching about sex? And what is this I hear about abstinence?

Are you saying we shouldn't teach abstinence but we should accept immorality? Are you saying that there isn't a problem with the dead culture that accepts sin because not accepting sin means not accepting the sinner? Why attack the Church because the Church refuses to accept that sex before marriage is good. The Bible says that sex is more of a spiritual thing than a physical thing and should be treated as such.

Artists, as well as the Church should take a stand against this rather than making people think its okay. Enough with the sex education. Why are we sharing condoms to people giving them the pass to go sin. What is wrong with preaching abstinence. If abstinence is preached and people refuse to listen, let them face the consequences. Why are we trying to protect them. I was brought up in a culture where no is no and yes is yes, right is right and wrong is wrong. Where shame is real because have values, the same values of long ago. I was taught abstinence and was told that condoms are used for "safe sex" but that was it . I wasn't advised to use one neither was I given one because who ever told me about it wasn't giving me choice but was giving advising me.

Where are the parents in all this. The Church teaches a lot of things, the media does too. But there are some teachings reserved for the home. Let parents teach their children right form wrong and if they fail to learn ... let them suffer the consequences and then learn from them.

And someone mentioned something about her school not teaching her about the reproductive system because of the grade she was in....what grade was that exactly and how old was she?

HELLS'KITCHEN + CS LEWIS



I really liked this short film. It was so unpredictable. Everything that happened in the film was unexpected. This is so beautiful because the reality of the film is the second coming and how, with the blink of an eye, things would go totally wrong. When these mishaps started happening, they were kind of funny but as time went on the message was clear. I like hoe the funny characters didn't take away from the theme or the seriousness of the film.
I also really liked the music thing at the end. The way the forms and shapes follow the beats and for a long time. One would think it would get boring but it doesn't...I feel like the film would have been incomplete without it.
CS Lewis in the article "Three ways of writing for children" said that authors write children's stories because "they are the best art-form for something you have to say".
The film "hell's kitchen", though it was an animated film with a little humor, addresses a serious matter and did not diminish it in any way.
People have important things to say and the way they say it is almost as important as what they have to say because how they say it would affect how people would receive it. And so as artists we must choose well what kind of art-form to use to express ourselves. Be it children's media or not.

WHO CARES WHAT THEY THINK (MAYBE I DO)

I love how Keith Lango encourages us as artists to be ourselves. He advices us to have fun when creating art and not allow the standards of others to limit us. We should step out of our mind box and create something worth creating, something we can be proud of. We should not go around seeking affirmation from others but we should be content with what our little hands produce and mighty minds come up with. 

 But the truth is, we all want to praised by people. We all want our works to be recognized as high level jobs and not petty work. Who wouldn't like to work with disney. I wouldn't mind working there at all, creating awesome movies like "How to train your dragon"....

I guess we need a balance. I do not think its that bad to look to films that are considered "the best". I think they can help motivate us, sometimes inspire us but they should not define us as artists. 

Art is an expression of self....let us not lose ourselves because we compare ourselves constantly with others. If an artist loses himself, his art loses its voice/power/effect.

i like this short film (it is a Tamara Short Film) ----- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4frsp-rR6c

CREEPY IMAGINATION

Why exactly are some of the films, in fact,  most of them so disturbing. What is the creativity in awkward, weird, scary and sometimes disturbing art. I watched the film by Caroline (TWO SISTERS) and I saw the skills in art but the strangeness of the whole film was too distracting for me. It was like a horror movie, not that it was scary but it gave me goosebumps.
Anyways, I personally do not like some of the films we watch simply because they are, to me, disturbing.
No Professor Leeper, I am not saying that the artists are bad nor am I saying the art is bad. I just would not choose to watch some of them on a normal basis.

Does anyone agree with me at all?



I like this one...its pretty cool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc-vINJmhNk

Rein Tout by Federick Bach -  YOU SATISFIED???!!


Human beings with our insatiable wants. We want and want and want (forgetting our needs) and the more we have the more we want. What exactly are we looking for. Why can't we be content with what God has given. Even animals seem to be more content with the life they live. They understand that they have to make the best of what they have. Birds know they aren't fierce like the lions and so they sing. And captivate the minds of people that listen. The cock knows his importance as an alarm. He is not like the peacock whose feathers are wonderful and beautiful but with his wake up call each morning he reminds us that he is just as wonderful with his unexplainable ability to tell time without a clock.
This is our problem:
WE KEEP ON FEEDING OUR DESIRES BUT SINCE WE ARE NOT SATISFIED BY THEM, WE SEEK MORE AND MORE AND MORE UNTIL WE ARE FILLED WITH EMPTINESS.

The Lord help us learn to be content so we do not lose the beautiful gifts from God that we have for the sake of pursuing what we think we need.


please watch this beautiful animated short film by Glen Keane.....it is absolutely beautiful and my absolute favorite so far. The title is "The Duet"
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuX52wkCIJA

What I Learned in the Nursery by G.K Chesterton (Extra credit)

I love this quote from G.K Chesterton from the article "what I learned in the Nursery". 
"There is the great lesson of "Beauty and the Beast"; that a thing must be loved before it is loveable". 

It tells a lot about our relationship with God and shows us how our relationship with others should be like.
"God so loved the world that H gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

I know there is nothing really lovely about this world. All the violence, jealousy, lust and hatred in the hearts of men only make them more unattractive. Compared to Beauty, the Prince was a beast but compared to God, man is a beast. Imperfect and unholy. But for some reason God loves us as we are. It is in this relationship we have with God that we transform into beautiful creatures. Therefore we cannot pretend in God's presence, we should not sit on pedestals in His house, we should cast out crowns and remember or beast-like selves and understand that we are only beautiful because of Him and not besides Him.

The same way we should love one another and not look down on anyone. We should try our very bests to see the beauty in everyone and not just the shame.
When we begin to realize that love is a matter of perspective and not the shallow kind, not the one determined by the clothes we wear or the make up we put on but the heart (the innermost part of us), the world becomes a better place.

What better way for Christians to preach the good news (John 3:16) than to really show that incomprehensible love of God by loving the way He loves. 

The Mighty Animator, Frédéric Back by William Moritz (Extra credit)

In the interview Back talks about how much more can be added to a book. He doesn't say that the films are of less importance neither does he say that they are less effective than books but he simply explained how some much more can be achieved in book. I personally like books and recently (by that i mean right now) I realized that the most memorable stories for me were the ones told in written for (that is in books). What i it about books that leave such an impression? Why don't i really feel the same way about movies?

CHRISTIANITY AND ART

I believe God is creative, the most creative actually and the greatest artist ever. His works speak of this every single day. I believe He wants us to be creative as well, He did make us in His image.

We talked about some pictures in class like the ones by Chagall and some paintings of Jesus. I do not think people should take art so lightly. Yes we should appreciate beauty because our God appreciates beauty but we must also be careful not to sin for the sake of art. It is easy to become defensive about art and say that Christians are too judgmental but the truth is not all art is good whether or not the artists had good intentions or not.

Exodus 20:4 - 5 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..."

Whether or not paintings of Jesus are good or bad I do not know, what I do know is that I personally do not buy such paintings to hang on my wall. Why? Well I personally do not see the use in getting those pictures. Also I do not think we should be so hasty to draw pictures of God and Jesus simply because of who they are. Angels are a different case but when it comes to God, we respect Him and honor Him as God, a God that can't be described so easily.Drawing God is a big deal. The things we know about God are revealed to us, we do not get up one day and say God is who He is simply because we say so or because of how we feel He is. Like I artists might have had good intentions but sometimes intentions aren't enough.

Some people worship these paintings or carvings. Some knowingly and some unknowingly. Why risk sinning like that for the sake of art.
Does having a painting of Jesus help you pray better or concentrate better? Some people might say yes. This is very dangerous (Professor Leeper, I know you would've a lot to say about this now). I think it is dangerous because according to Exodus 20:4-5 we must not make any image,whether of heavenly things or earthly things, to worship. Whether or not it helps you concentrate is not the point. The Bible says not to, so why go against what the God that you claim to worship says. We all can experience God personally, His Word assures us and Jesus Christ made this possible years ago when He died for us and was raised to life for us. So if anyone has a problem connecting with God there is probably something the person needs to work on from within(this is not a bad thing, for we all have things we need to work on from within, it is all part of our faith journey). The person should also talk to good mature Christians who can help them and above all ask God for help. A picture should not replace God in your life. This seems so extreme but it is what gradually happens when people put images and forms out to help them 'reach' God.

Also I do not particularly like the paintings and sculptures of Mary. Yes this is art and again I know the artist had 'good intentions' but it is taking it too far when people begin to picture a human being as a god or someone with the power to save. It is not scriptural. Would you the say I hate art ,which is one of my callings by the way, simply because I do not appreciate some that are against what I believe in?

Yes art is about expressing oneself but should not be an excuse or a path to sin. If it means we look critically at some art works then so be it.

THE SYSTEM GUIDES US

I can't remember the name of the film but it was about the education system and how it doesn't permit individuality. The film to me is so one sided and shouldn't be shown to kid's simply because it gives them the wrong idea about school and it kind of encourages them to rebel against authorities. I do  not think learning is a waste of time because even though somethings may not seem useful at the time they become useful later on in life. 

How does a child know what he/she wants without being exposed to different things? I believe children should be fed with knowledge and then allowed to decide later on what they really like to focus on. This doesn't limit their freedom in any way nor does it prevent them from expressing themselves. It is simply a guide for them. 

Besides I don't think a 7 year old would be as interested in the film as a college or maybe high school student would. Unlike the short film "Little Dog Turpe" this film would bore most kids.

ABBA...KING

So Professor Leeper, I do not think you understand where I am coming from.

I agree that we should be free with God. Yes He is our Father and Friend, but I will say what I said in class on Thursday again. We must be careful.
In all things and at all times, we must acknowledge that God is not only Father but King. The same God who is tender and loving is a consuming fire. We must acknowledge this ALWAYS when we come into His Presence.

Remember Queen Vashti, the wife of King Ahasuerus, she was thrown out of the palace because she refused to come when her husband called her. As the wife she could refuse her husband, she had the right to do so. She had every right to be free with Him and not have to pretend around him. But as a queen she had no right to refuse the king. The king her husband.
Was he not her husband when out of anger he threw her out of the palace?

God is our Father but we must never forget that He is our King. Familiarity should not breed contempt. We should not misuse our freedom when we are in God's Presence.
That is my point sir.

Scream at the top of your voice and pour your heart to God but never forget to acknowledge the King. David always did in his Psalms. After crying out to God, He would praise Him and exalt God. Because He knew that even though He was on the lap of his Father, he was also on in the Presence of the King.







THE BEST CHRISTIAN BOOK SERIES BY FRANCINE RIVERS....PLEASE YOU HAVE TO READ!!!

Buechner in my opinion doesn't truly understand the Word of God for him to suggest that Jesus wept because of the absence of God in Lazarus' situation and in the world as a whole. The Lord God is the Omnipresent God. He is everywhere. And He is God in good times and bad. Proverbs 15:3 says that "the eyes of God are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good"
How then can this same God be absent in the world He created and loves so much.

Then why does God sit back and allow bad things happen, especially to good people?
Rom 9:10-24
¹⁰ Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. ¹¹ Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: ¹² not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ¹³ Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
¹⁴ What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
    and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

¹⁹ One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”^{] 21} Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
²² What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? ²³ What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— ²⁴ even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"

So basically God does what He does because He is God. And we do not and CAN NOT ever completely understand what He does because we are human beings. It is only when God reveals Himself to us that we can understand but only in part. That is just the way it is.

TITLE : AFRICAN WOMAN

Jemimah Obileye

Hey!

My name is Jemimah and I am from Nigeria. I am --- years old. I love cheetah's and tigers, and well, anything nature.
I also love to draw, paint, sing, read (especially books by Francine Rivers), travel, go on fun adventures, watch movies (especially fantasy movies, animated movies and comedies) and sleep. My favorite color is black and my least favorite color is pink.
I hate pizza and beef burgers...but I'm fine with almost anything else. My favorite ice cream flavor is Chocolate. Finally, I love pampered elbows...yes, elbows.

I am a Christian, not just because I come from a Christian home but also because I love the Lord with all my heart and I've chosen to follow Him. I love working with kids and volunteering. These 3 scriptures help strengthen my faith when my faith becomes weak - Rom 8:1, Rom 8:12-15 and Rom 8:31-39.

I am studying Animation because I want to make a difference and change the way the world sees the Christian faith. The media obviously has so much influence on the people and so I want to take advantage of this. I also want to study animation because it is pretty darn cool.