Wicked Salvation

Here is a painting that you may have not seen! It is one of my beloved pieces and it was actually a breakthrough project for me. It started as a simple assignment when I was in the art program at CSUS and it was the first time that I painted what was in my head. I remember my instructor was thrilled about the lips. It is 4 x 5 feet acrylic on canvas. Since then it has hung out with me in my journeys and currently hangs in my bedroom watching over me at night. Often times we are too concerned about how others see us and we try to polish up our image to become what we think is "more appealing". When in reality the end product of our makeover is worse. Sometimes the most beautiful things come out of the most wicked and ugly places. To be saved from something is to truly be lifted out of a place where there is no escape and to have a first taste of freedom. Masking our failures to make them look legit may not be obvious to us but it accomplishes what we were initially trying to avoid, being noticed by others. When we finally reach the enlightenment of realizing that it doesn't matter what others may think we will be able to walk down that path to the cemetery and bury the expectations that we think others have for us. This idea comes with a warning label. Sometimes to get to the place of beauty you must take a journey through a desperate rundown wasteland. But don't worry, its okay because the outcome will not be something that you can ever create! I have noticed in my life that I have always been like this. I tear things down and break them just to put it back together again. So go ahead and go out there and destroy something! Or maybe sit down and look deep inside yourself today and be willing to see a desperate soul that lives in a wasteland and is surrounded by filth and realize for the first time that your thankful that there is "Salvation for the Wicked".

Painting with Danny

Im am passionate about painting! All I can think about is when I will be in the studio to paint my next work. I was hanging out with my 11 year old daughter today and we were discussing the topic of painting. I asked her if she could draw a picture of herself without looking at a picture or the mirror and she, without hesitation, said "Yes". "I know exactly what I look like because I am always looking at myself in the mirror." I know that we may have been told vanity is not a good trait but in the mind of an artist it's not about how others see us, it is about how we see ourselves. Do we know ourselves good enough to remember what we look like after we leave the mirror? So here is the challenge today! Look in the mirror for a long time, long enough to know what you look like and see something you have never seen before. What do you see?

Victory Outreach "The Art of Worship"

Here in this video I had the privilage to hang out with some awesome people from Victory Outreach in Sacramento. I was blessed to be a part of the Trent Cory concert that turned into Church with healing and worship that was filled with the Spirit! The Art of Worship!

Palm Sunday Painting @ Adventure Christian Church in Rocklin, CA

I had a fun time with Anthony Harrison and the Band at Adventure last Sunday Performing in all three services. The Service was focused around the different emotions that Jesus felt on his journey to the cross. My peice portrayed the anger that Jesus felt when He saw how people of that time misused the temple. As an artist I felt that I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned more about myself. #dreambig #takechances #liveontheedge

4'x5' acrylic on canvas (practice painting)

4'x5' acrylic on canvas (Saturday night service)

4'x5' acrylic on canvas (Sunday service 9am)

4'x5' acrylic on canvas (Sunday service 11am)

Performance Painting @ Oak Hills Church

When I was studying art history at CSUS I remember having a light bulb moment when I learned about Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel. One of the panels on the celiling was located above the altar and it depicted God separating the light from darkness. In the Holy Scripture we learn in John chapter 1 that there was a light that came into the world and that same light is the light of man. God separating the light from darkness in the old testament is the same act of Jesus coming into the world separating the light and darkness in our own lives. How amazing is that! You can't save yourself from a life separate from God but Jesus came and died and rose again so that you can be made perfect and Holy. In the creation story we are told the story of the good news of what Jesus did for us. In this video it is my purpose to bring the two together as did the master artist of old.

Art Day @ Spanger School

Here is a video of the Art Day! Some times I feel like a modern day "Bob Ross". I have always found it captivating to watch people paint. I wish this would happen more often. In this video you will hear the imput of these wonderful 2nd graders and the thrill of discovery as they see it unfold before thier very eyes.

Tell me what you think!

Danny

Lion Painting @ Spanger School

This is the actual painting that I performed in the classroom. I love how the color turned out. I always have a plan when I perform a piece but in the end I leave it up to the creative process.

Lion Paniting

This week I spent time with some 2nd graders at Spanger School in Roseville CA in my daughters class and we talked about art and I performed a piece for them. One of my many favorite things is to watch artists at work and my hope was that this would spark some interest in art at a young age! Here are some photos of the practice painting. I am putting together a video that I recorded at the school and will upload it soon!