Art has a way of bringing people together. It seems to have some secret delight in being an excuse for humans to gather in places and come together. Art covertly acts as an adhesive, bonding people together in rich connection and shared human experience. It doesn't need our acknowledgement or permission to go about such work; it simply and intrinsically happens, whether we invite it or not. I realized after the fact, that's what took place in my home studio this weekend.
I had scheduled a 2-day encaustic (heated wax medium) workshop at a studio workspace in Nashville. I ended up having a smaller number of registrants than anticipated and so last minute, I moved the location of the workshop from the Nashville location to my home studio in Franklin. At first, I was disappointed, wishing we could spread out in the large studio space that I had reserved. But as the first day went on, I noticed that though the space was tight, it was very conducive for conversation and interactive creative processes. There was a palpable camaraderie around the projects that were being created. If one was stuck, not knowing what to do next, another would offer thoughts on the next possible movements. The conversation was about the possibilities that were out in front of the artist; there was a freedom for that artist to move one way or another without rigidity. I sensed a great honor and respect for each process that was present in the room. There didn't seem to be competition or militant expectation. I sensed a spirit of solidarity in the exploration, leaving a spaciousness rather than a confining right and wrong, black and white approach to the process. It was quite refreshing!
There is something incredibly mystical and magical that takes place on a creative process. I taught the same techniques and the same processes to each person in the room. They received what was given to them from the lens with which they see life and with which they see their own artistic process. And each declaration of such was completely different. There were no two pieces or processes that were alike. It's always quite breathtaking to watch the individual process for each creator. It further solidifies my deep belief that God cares so intricately for each person and their creative process. He can touch something so deeply held in crevices of a creator through this process, perhaps for some of us, in ways that other forms of worship can't quite get to.
These photos are little peak of what took place over the weekend. If you would like to participate in the next Encaustic workshop, please go to the Art Instruction page to register. The next workshop will be January 18-19 in my home studio near downtown Franklin. I hope you'll join us!!
