Devin Smith

What revelation takes place when a tech-savvy graphic designer revisits the world of paint and canvass? Guest blogger, graphic artist and ALFG subscriber Devin Smith shares a recent encounter that says that the way  you live can be seen in the way you approach your work:

…Dread
So the other day I was in the garage getting ready to put the brush back to paintings that I haven’t touched in a long time due to the level of work it takes to make progress on a canvas that’s bigger than me… by a lot!
It’s been over a year, and I have realized that the reason that I have dreaded working on these paintings is the fact that I get tired of fighting. “Fighting?” That’s right. Fighting. What am I fighting? Everything.

…Control
When I step into that garage, the fight bell rings and I put up my dukes. Why do I fight so hard? Because I’m afraid of the outcome of almost every stroke. So much so that sometimes I just sit back and stare at the paintings without making a move. When it comes to traditional media, you work with paint at different consistencies. I don’t care how skilled you are, you don’t have the power to control every movement of the paint.

…Doubt
Suddenly, BAM! God starts to show me that my problem with painting isn’t really a problem with painting. It’s a problem with the way I have been living life in many areas: Afraid to make a move because I’m afraid of messing up. It’s a lot like swimming to me. I still don’t know how to swim that well because I’m afraid of just trusting the water to keep me afloat.  As long as I just flow with it instead of fight against it, I’m OK. It’s the same way with God. The only thing we need to know is that as long as we flow with Him, the outcome is going to be a masterpiece, even if things don’t happen the way we originally envisioned.

So back to the painting. What did I envision in the first place, anyway? What was my desired result? All I ever wanted was to create a masterpiece. When I stop and think about it, I don’t really care how I get there. I just want to know that the end is going to be the best that it can be—that it will be done just the way God Himself would want it done. So what else is left then?

“Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does, the better” -Andre Gide
By Devin Smith
Be sure to visit Devin’s website at ArtOfDevin.com

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The interview today is with painter Charlene Rice. Charlene does a great job using video and the web to document the creative experience with her work. Pay special attention to her answer to question #3:

1. Tell us who you are and what you do as an artist:

My name is Charlene Rice I have been married for 20 years and have 2 kids. One 17 Forrest, a drummer and Ciara a dancer/ my personal secretary/she’s really smart that way. Our family is all involved so it would be terrible for me to say I do everything but that is so far from the truth. I will get into that later.

We own and operate Worship Thru Art a company started almost 5 years ago. We do art shows like Spirit West Coast Del Mar and Monterey and all kinds of other shows in between depends where and when. We sell original art prints in two sizes and Studio Edition posters . We now have a line of Spanish posters as well. That will be posted any day now. All of our products are made of the finest canvases, paper, glass, pigment inks and all packaged in great gift boxes.

2. Now tell us about your artistic/creative background:

I started doing ceramics and had two studios, so my 1st love is ceramics. That was about 10 years ago. It was called Mudslinger. It was there that I learned about color and the discipline involved in creating great art.

3. What role does God play in your life and in your work?

I believe that to be a great artist you need to find a church and learn to get rooted and grounded in the word of God. Know who your pastor is and get involved some how small or big. I know that’s not what most people want to hear but its the truth. The word of God will guide you, give you peace, and will get you out of some sticky situations that we as artist find our self’s in.

God will not trust you with the bigger things if you can’t handle going to church and being a blessing to others. It’s really boils down to: It’s not about me. “What can I do, Lord, that will please you? Half the time it’s not about that great piece of art you made, it’s how nice are you to your family and friends. I could go on and on on this subject. I will say one more thing. Our eternity is not hinged on that great piece of art we; make its hinged on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What did you do with Jesus? Be a good steward of the gift of creativity that God gave you.

4. What advice can you give the rest of us?

Pray. Nothing happens with out prayer. Get with people that love you and love what you’re doing. It goes a long, long way. Even if it is just a few.

5. What’s the latest project that you’re most excited about?
I can hardly sleep at night these day’s. Time is so short with all the world events taking place you just wanna seize the moment and stay on point with what God wants.

I have to say I have a lot of pots on the stove cooking, but there is one and that is Adopt a Chaplain project. If you take a look at my Spirit West Coast show Memorial Weekend on You Tube you will know what I am talking about. But for the sake of time. I am sending a gob of posters and prints to the Middle East and they are going up all over the make shift chapels churches there. God is always blowing my mind. I have already received pictures of the Army women chaplains holding my art. It just brought me to tears. Well I could fill up the whole page with much more but I gotta take my son to worship practice.

6. Tell us about your unique use of video on with your work:

Do it straight from the heart.

7. Anything else you’d like to add, feel free:

Please watch my videos and comment.

Thank you Tony for the work you are doing in the Kingdom of God.

Visit WorshipThroughArt.com

Be sure to share a comment about Charlene’s work and/or her story!

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This tip will allow you to: 

• Increase your local exposure as an artist or designer.
• Build your contact list/database.
• Build credibility and prestige within your local market.
• Gain media coverage before, during and after.

 This is something that helps especially the artist whose style is close to the comics, graphic novel, gaming or concept art genre: 

Display or demo your work at your area library’s “Teen Read Week” event: 

Each October, nearly every public library in the nation celebrates “Teen Read Week” in an effort to encourage teenage readers to return to the library. 

One of the segments that these libraries especially attempt to spotlight during “Teen Read Week” is their Graphic Novel selection because of its potential to attract teen readers. 

Each library usually has a designated youth reading director or contact that coordinates events centered on “Teen Read Week”.  This person looks for speakers and others that can add to and make the event more attractive, engaging and exciting. 

I have had much success giving a 2 hour workshop called “Intro To Comics” where I displayed and demonstrated my work to a class of 20-25 young artists, writers and graphic novel fans. The participation allowed me to:

•  Develop and present a successful workshop that can be replicated outside of the event.
• Establish a relationship with a respected and reputable civic organization.
• Connect with the workshop participants and their parents, with the opportunity to further contact them for future events, services or products targeted to their needs.
• Receive news coverage after the event, keeping me and the art that I do top of mind.

Increase your exposure by contacting your local library while its still early enough to include your work in their plan.

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