"While discussing the growing antipathy toward Christians, a friend remarked to me, "There are three kinds of Christians that outsiders to the faith still respect:  pilgrims, activists, and artists. The uncommitted will listen to them far sooner than to an evangelist or apologist."  Although nonbelievers do not oppose a spiritual search, they will listen only to those Christians who present themselves as fellow-pilgrims on the way rather than as part of a superior class who has already arrived.  Activists express their faith in the most persuasive way of all, by their deeds.  And art succeeds when it speaks most authentically to the human condition; when believers do so with skill, again the world takes note." Philip Yancey, Vanishing Grace  p. 89
As artists, we have the opportunity to be grace dispensers. We can add to the truth and beauty of the human experience. It is important that we are the best artists we can be so that our lack of skill does not impede the image we feel compelled to share. If we do our job well, we should bring hope, clarity and a curiosity about what we believe and why we live our life the way we do. Artists are not needed to add to the chaos and noise of our world. There is plenty of ugliness on display in the nightly news. Sadly, I can’t undo the tragedy that happened at a Florida school last week, but I can accept the invitation to share in the task of dispensing grace and hope to a hurting world. How will you be a grace dispenser today? ​

Art Group met at my house last night. I love my art group. There are six of us who get together to paint, draw, and just talk about our lives nearly every week of the year. Sounds perfect doesn't it. To be honest, I never want to go to art group, or host art group, even though I love art group. I'm lazy, we meet at night, and I just want to be in my pajamas and go to sleep at night because I'm really not my best self at night; but, once we're together there is no other place I'd rather be.
The Newcomer's Art Club in Oxford, England really saved my sanity in so many ways for those years I lived abroad. Having someone who's glad to see you every week is important. Some people don't have the luxury of getting together with friends to paint. Many schools across the country are cutting art programs all together. I've been thinking about how I can help those who long to be creative but don't know how to go it alone, maybe expatriates in a foreign country, or who live in a rural community, or for one reason or another don't have friends to paint with or access to friendly, non-competitive instruction. 
So, I've started a YouTube channel. It's nothing fancy, just me teaching you how to do some art that I'm interested in and giving you tips and tricks along the way. I know I'm not really there with you, but I hope it feels like you have a friendly, encouraging artist friend in me who will help you try new things, cheer you along the way, and answer any questions you have about art. If you like me or love me please subscribe to my YouTube channel so that it will become more findable for the people who need it most. Thanks for all the support you give me friends! I appreciate you.
Check out my introduction video and share this url with friends you think would benefit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq3FX4HOOQ0