Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Rocks of Giants Causeway Photo © Chuck Hoffman / Genesis+Art Studio

FROM OUR JOURNAL PAGES:

We have been in our studio working on a painting around the theme of gratitude. It required me to reflect on the virtue of gratitude as a spiritual practice, which brought me to the teaching of John O'Donohue. I have been reflecting on his wisdom and writings for many years and find a newness to his words each time. I discovered this once again as I explored the nature of gratitude.


You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.

Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.

Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.

Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.

Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.

― John O'Donohue

Keeping us mindful of God’s abiding presence

Photo © St. Paul's Monastery

FROM OUR STUDIO:

Our work has been selected to be part of the exhibition Seeing God: A Juried Exhibit of Sacred Art. The exhibition will be up during February at the Benedictine Retreat Center on the campus of St. Paul’s Monastery, St. Paul, Minnesota. We are honored to be part of this art show as the Benedictine community works to sustain and expand the spiritual imagination and deepen a sense of awe. From their call for artists, “Over the centuries, Benedictines have encouraged women and men who use color, form, sound, and word to express the beauty one experiences in the encounter with God’s own creativity. Their "sacred art" contributes to keeping us mindful of God’s abiding presence. This exhibit features contemporary artists who work in that spirit.”

Seeing God: A Juried Exhibit of Sacred Art
1–29 February, 2012  9–5:00pm daily
Benedictine Retreat Center, St. Paul’s Monastery
2675 Benet Road, St. Paul
651.777.8181

The spirit of artistic creation

FROM OUR STUDIO:

Join us at Ghost Ranch for our workshop Heaven of the Heart: Creating a Space for Sacred Imagination June 25–July 1. Ghost Ranch is situated on 21,000 acres located in northern New Mexico, stands proud as an ecumenical and interfaith education and retreat center of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more than half a century people have come for spiritual development, to discuss issues of peace and justice, to work together in creation care, to paint and write, to hike and ride horseback,
to research rich and globally renowned archeological and fossil quarries, to see where Georgia O’Keeffe painted or simply to rest and renew their spirits. For more about our workshop or to register click on Heaven of the Heart. Hope to see you.

Summer in the Washington Cascades

   FROM OUR STUDIO: 

Consider joining us this summer at Holden Village in Chelan, Washington. Holden Village is in an isolated mountain retreat center in the Washington Cascades. Holden is a place to come and celebrate Life, Community, and Renewal. We will be on the teaching staff facilitating our art workshops from August 11–25. For more information check out this short film that captures a few days of village life or go to their web site by clicking Holden Village. Hope to see you.

Heaven of the Heart: Creating a Space for Sacred Imagination

Chimney Rock, Abiquiu, New Mexico Image © Ghost Ranch

FROM OUR STUDIO:

We invite you to join us at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico for our workshop titled Heaven Of The Heart: Creating A Space For Sacred Imagination. Our workshop will run from 25 June thru 1 July, 2012. For more information and to register click on this link. Ghost Ranch. The course description is included below. Hope to see you!

Heaven of the Heart: Creating Space for Sacred Imagination. What connects our spirituality, creativity and living out our vocation? How might an intentional engagement with our creativity and our spirituality increase our ability to live as people of faith? In this workshop you will push back the boundaries of familiar distractions and enter a Sabbath time in which to explore the intersection between creativity and spirituality. Using hands-on exercises, personal reflection and imagination see how your creativity can form sacred community.

Chiaroscuro

May this season of Divine mystery, 
engage all of our senses anew. 
Inspire us to seek peace within 
and with each other. 

And may our creative fires burn bright, 
to help illumine our way. +Amen

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

© Genesis + Art Studio

FROM OUR STUDIO:

Effortlessly,
Love flows from God
Into man and woman.
Like a bird who rivers the air
Without moving her wings.
Thus we move in this world
One in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.
As the Source strikes the note,
Humanity sings –
The Holy Spirit is our harpist,
And all strings
Which are touched in Love
Must sound.


– MECHTHILD of MAGDEBURG
  13th CENTURY MYSTIC