How to Draw and Paint Smart is accepting articles

Local artist Michael Thoenes is looking for artists to contribute to his International art site. Checkout the info below.

Help young artists grow, expand opportunities to have your art seen.

"How to Draw and Paint Smart" is accepting articles and step by step lessons. Create 3 articles for http://www.how-to-draw-and-paint-smart.com/ and earn a featured artist page. Send me a message to learn more. michael.thoenes@gmail.com

How to Draw and Paint Smart

www.how-to-draw-and-paint-smart.com

Drawing Secrets Revealed, Learn How to Draw and How to Paint with these Easy and Fun and Free Lessons created by professional artists to help you learn to draw smart

Excerpt taken from: “In Defense of Christian Arts”

People of this world do not understand our Christian language. How can we speak to them in a way that they will understand? People of the world do not think it is necessary to believe. How can we get past their defenses to get to their hearts? The world, in trying to sell its philosophies understands one thing that we forgot. A person will not really believe something until it speaks to his feelings and his spirit.

The media uses what they know about how the mind works and the power of the arts, drama, photography, film, dance, story telling, etc. to speak to people and sell us whatever they want. This is a pity because the arts originally belonged to the people of God. Now they are seldom used and often categorized as superfluous or unnecessary. From stories of the son’s of Seth, to the portrayals of the prophets, to the dances of the Israelites, to the stories of the Rabbis, to the medieval Passion plays that portrayed Christ’s last days on earth, to film and story today, believers have always used the Arts, for worship, evangelism, teaching, enjoyment and exhortation. Why have so many churches thrown the gift of the creative arts back in the face of our Creator God? The only reason I can think of is fear.

Fear is never a good reason to make a decision. If the arts are corrupt in the world, then we need not to say the arts are corrupt. We need to bring them back to where they belong, in the holy service of Our King.”

Excerpt taken from:

“In Defense of Christian Arts”

Call For Photography

Christian Publication, Faith and Family Matters. is looking for photography submissions. This publication is produced by Willowbrook Baptist Church and distributed throughout Huntsville, AL. Photographers are asked to submit photos for the next issue "Winter Wonderland." The photos will be featured in the Through the Lens segment. Email photo files in jpg format to: info@faithandfailymatters.org. Please include photographer's name, and title of image.

For more info about Faith and Family Matters, please visit their website at: www.FaithAndFamilyMatters.org

For more info about Willowbrook Baptist Church, please visit their website at: www.Willowbrook.org

Huntsville Times: Artists show faith through creativity

"Psalm 19:1" by Paul LaBathe, copyright

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Artists show faith through creativity

Friday, April 02, 2010

By Kay Campbell

Times Faith & Values Editor kay.campbell@htimes.com

Christian designers aim to 're-claim the arts' with network of encouragement

ELKMONT- Graphic artist Paul LaBathe caught his first glimpse of Ascribing Artists, a networking group for Christian artists he helped found, back when he was looking for direction from God.

LaBathe's secure job at Dynetics was changing, and he wondered if God were calling him to another path.

As is his custom, he began reading through the Psalms, praying his question as he read through the poems of thanksgiving, complaint and praise. He also wondered how his artistic abilities fitted in with his Christian calling.

Then he came to Psalm 29:2: "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name."

"That's it," he thought. "Everything I do, even if it's not obviously Christian, is for the glory of God."

The idea of a logo created out of a capital "A" drawn under an up-side-down "A" came into his mind as the perfect way to capture the goal of a Christian artist: To reflect God's glory, not his own.

TO READ MORE OF THIS COPYRIGHT ARTICLE GO TO:

http://www.al.com/religion/huntsvilletimes/news.ssf?/base/living/1270199721122330.xml&coll=1

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT PAUL LABATHE GO TO:

http://www.EmptyTombGraphics.com

Valley Planet Magazine: Cover Artist Michele Lee

Jill Wood, editor and publisher of the Valley Planet Magazine gave the Ascribing Artists the opportunity to submit their artwork, giving them a chance to be selected for the Easter cover. Ascribing Artist, Michele Lee was chosen. Thank you Jill and Congratulations Michele! The featured cover was distributed today, Michele's birthday. What a wonderful gift from the Lord. GH

On the Cover

Hi, my name is Michele Lee. I am originally from Kentucky. For the past 20 years I have lived all over the United States and spent 3 years living and traveling in Europe. With that being said, I have made Madison, Alabama my home for over a decade now. I love it here! I am married to the man of my dreams and have three wonderful children.

Boy, that sounds like a great life.....maybe I should stop right there. Naaa! That would only let you all know 1⁄2 of me. The reality is that I am a flawed yet grateful woman who is glad to be a part of this big world.

Six years ago, after God gave me a second chance at life; my husband gave me my first sketch pad. He told me that he wanted me to find the Michele in me that I had dreamed of as a little girl. I started drawing right then and there and I haven’t stopped yet! I am a little crazy and passionate when it comes to painting. Just ask my friends, my family or Isabelle, the mannequin in our den. (Yes, we are one big kooky family)

I believe that my art is an interpretation of my experience, strength and hope. For me it is a way to meditate. With every brush stroke I seem to become more and more lost in the art. Until I have gone so far into a painting that time has actually disappeared. I usually don’t know how a painting will turn out in the end. But, I do know that it will be a part of me. Sharing this part of myself is my way of giving something back in this life. The signature on each of my paintings is “G” and “M”. This stands for God and Michele. I like to sign them in this way because he is my dad and ultimately the reason I do the work that I do.

If you would like to see more of my work or commission a piece, please contact me at:

Michele Lee / Madison Al. 35758 / 256-508-7518

www.MicheleLeeArt.com or www.ArtisticFinishesStudio.com

The Ascribing Artists is a creative ministry bringing together visual artists who wish to “Ascribe to the Lord the Glory due His name.” Ascribing Artists recognize that anything they do pales in comparison to the Glory of the Lord. The Ascribing Artists ministry is inspired by Psalm 29:1, 2 we are to be “A Reflection of His Glory” in all that we do. For more info visit www.AscribingArtists.blogspot.com or e-mail: AscribingArtists@gmail.com

Thanks to Valley Planet Magazine www.ValleyPlanet.com

At Home in the Valley Featured Article: Follow Your Muse

Cover

"Follow Your Muse" Article on pages 18-21

Anna Claire Vollers, Editor of the At Home in the Valley publication distributed by the Huntsville Times, featured many local artists in the article "Follow Your Muse" written by Katie Byers.

"Follow Your Muse" Sip wine and laugh with friends at one of the Tennessee Valley's fun, relaxed art classes. Your take-home gift is a new piece of art for your walls- made by you!

To read the article on pages 18-21 please visit:

http://shophuntsville.al.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=76795&pagenum=18&sstarg=&facing=false&

Ascribing Artists featured: Carole Foret, Michele Lee, Janet South (Memi's Pottery), Cynthia Parsons and Renee Prasil. Also the Ascribing Artists blog was mentioned too!