Joey O'Connor's Blog, page 15

Can Artists Project the Goodness of God through Art?

SteveKasyanenko from EightM recently interviewed me about how artists can project the goodness of God through art. On EightM, Stephen interviews Christian businessmen and women, actors, musicians, educators, artists, athletes and entertainers from around the world. As one of my goals here on Art, Life & Faith is to help artists pursue their creative calling, EightM is eager to help you find your destiny, call and purpose in life. EightM offers compelling video interviews and stories to teach...

Have You Answered the Question and Call of God?

I have a question for you: Have you answered the call of God for your life? It’s a question worth asking. And an answer worth pursuing. For summer reading, I’ve been immersed in the New York Time’s bestselling biography, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in years. It’s also provoked the question and call of God on my life in a deep way.

Metaxas offers a compelling chronicle of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s courageous life as a German pastor...

When Creativity Runs Dry

This is a guest post on creativity by sculptor, Karen Schmidt. Karen is a skilled artist, a personal friend, an incredible sculptor and longtime friend of The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. Karen is one of those rare artists whose commitment to professional excellence flows out of a deep relationship with God. She is a woman of prayer, great depth and personal warmth. It’s my privilege to introduce you to her and her insightful thoughts on spiritual formation, creativity and the creative...

Introducing Sound of A Spine: Poetry & Performance of Nick Macedo

I am so pleased to announce a new video poetry ebook called Sound of A Spine: Poetry & Performance of Nick Macedo published by The Grove Center for the Arts & Media. Nick Macedo is an incredible twenty-five year old slam poet (one of Hollywood’s best) with an incredible grasp for ideas, language, symbol and the spoken word. When I saw Nick perform just over a year ago, I said to myself, “This guy’s phenomenal…I have to meet him.” At the time, I didn’t know how we’d work together, but I knew G...

“It Ain’t My Pig & It Ain’t My Pig Farm!”

Before my favorite aunt Geegee ever got involved in someone else’s problem, she’d try to ask herself two simple questions, “Is this my pig? And is this my pig farm?” And if she found someone trying to pass on a big ol’ porker of a problem that they should be carrying themselves, Geegee would quip, “It ain’t my pig and it ain’t my pig farm!”

Aunt Geegee’s homespun wisdom is brilliant. (And she never even lived on a farm!) When it comes to other people’s problems, are you stuck knee-deep in pig...

Introducing Create: Transforming Stories of Art, Life & Faith for the iPad, Kindle & Nook

After two and a half years of working with 21 artists, I’m very happy to announce the official launch of our dynamic new video ebook optimized for the iPad, Kindle & Nook. It’s called Create: Transforming Stories of Art, Life & Faith. Create offers essays, artwork and video from 21 artists. Yes, 21 artistic points of view. My design team and I think it’s a compelling product worth your attention. If you have a love for story, art and a desire to see the arts flourish in the Church for this wo...

This Father’s Day, Be a Warrior Dad

Here’s a fun video to share with all the warrior dad’s in your life this Father’s Day. We produced this little piece to remind father’s to get in there and yuck it up with their kids. In my twenty-one years of parenting, I have lost many a pillow fight! But one of the greatest privileges and joys in my life has been being a dad. I love raising my four kids with Krista, but as you know, parenting is not for cowards! On many a day, life is a battle and men truly need the heart of a warrior to t...

How to Discover Your Beautiful Strength in Weakness

A few years ago, Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton wrote a wonderful book called “Now, Discover Your Strengths.” This bestselling book helps you identify your core strengths so you can focus on building upon your unique talents. I love personal inventory books like this because I’m a life-long learner. (“Learner” is part of my StrengthsFinder profile.) StrengthsFinder by Tom Gath was the followup companion book. Both are excellent books and both sit on my shelf. But what would happen if yo...

Your Beautiful Strength

A few years ago, Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton wrote a wonderful book called “Now, Discover Your Strengths.” This bestselling book helps you identify your core strengths so you can focus on building upon your unique talents. I love personal inventory books like this because I’m a life-long learner. (“Learner” is part of my StrengthsFinder profile.) StrengthsFinder by Tom Gath was the followup companion book. Both are excellent books and both sit on my shelf. But what would happen if yo...

Finding Divine Inspiration: Artist Interview with Scott McElroy

If you’re looking to find divine inspiration in your life, art and creative work, you just may want to check out Scott McElroy’s excellent book, Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your Creativity. Scott and I recently had a video conversation about his book, art in the Church and the upcoming Creative Church Conferences that he is hosting June 15-17 in Indianapolis, Indiana and July 13-15 in Boise, Idaho. Scott has a deep passion for God and seeing the arts thrive in...