"Light of the World"
By: Danielle Harth
16x20" acrylic on canvas

Last night at an event, Danielle Harth created a live painting based on Matthew 5:14 which says, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid."

When you have received Christ, you have received the Light of life and darkness is gone forever. Your life is made supernatural in Christ, therefore you have the authority to rule over circumstances. "Walk tall. Talk bold. Reign as a king in life. You are a dispenser of glory, wisdom, grace, and excellence, in Jesus' name. Amen."

The Father And Son
By: Danielle Harth
Original: 36x48” Oil on canvas
November 2013

 This painting is a reflection of spiritual fatherhood and mentorship. All great leaders undergo the process of becoming a leader through service in order to acquire the skills to continue great missions. In the Bible, there are many examples of successful mentoring relationships such as: Jesus and His disciples, Paul and Timothy, Naomi and Ruth, Moses and Joshua, Samuel and David, Esther and Mordecai, and many others.

 In this painting the two eagles serve as symbols of prophetic vision because of their ability to focus and see in the Spirit what the human eye cannot. The outstretched wings represent the protection, guardianship, authority that a father has in preparing his children for their future. The wings also symbolize the ability to navigate and maintain control over spiritual atmospheres through the God-given gifts, power, and authority.

This painting is important to this period in my life because I feel like I am being mentored and raised by so many wise, influential people. I have the privilege of being a graduate student at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in the Master’s in Art Therapy program.  I am a Community Service intern with the Illinois Psychological Association serving under Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer and Dr. Terrance Koller. I will be a Practicum Student with the Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago supervised by Dr. Susy Francis and Dr. Eva Ponder. I am a member and actively involved within my church, All Nations Worship Assembly where I receive spiritual and educational guidance under Dr. Matthew Stevenson. The eagles soaring together represent my desire to learn from the great people that have a positive influence on my life.

Bobbie Jean is a conqueror of multitudes; she is a business owner, leader, pilot, entrepreneur, community service advocate, graduate student, daughter, sister, cousin, motivator, cherished friend, and heir of the most high God. Additionally, me and Joseph Robert Harth have been blessed with the honor of having her has our mother.

One of my favorite memories from my early childhood was when she was teaching me how to spell words and there was one word that she had me constantly practice:

“Danielle, how do you spell excellence?”
“E-X-C-E-L-L-E-N-C-E”

Bobbie Jean is the essence of excellence, and excellence is what she always models in any place, with any interaction, and whatever work that she does. Because of who she is, I have always had a great role model in my life.

She continues to amaze me daily with her innovate ideas, compassion for every person, elegant style, honorable morals, impregnable perseverance and emotional strength, modesty, and incessant support.

Bobbie Jean has managed to blow my mind with revealing another one of her abilities from her Pandora’s box of excellence, that she is a poet! Read this great poem of affirmation composed by Bobbie Jean, the quintessential woman of excellence.

"You Are Loved"
by Danielle Harth
8x10"
oil on canvas

I had the choice to select a photo from a collection of photos of young children from Sri Lanka. These children have lost both of their parents are now attending school for orphaned children. I felt connected to this young boy because he looks so much like my brother from when he was younger, yet he is Sri Lankan.

I was told that the children often feel that they don’t have someone who loves them, and in the original photos they had such an empty look in their eyes. Sri Lanka is not a country that I often think about in my existence as a privileged Black American, because I haven’t had any substantial interaction with Sri Lankan people nor education about the culture or country’s history, but I will change that.

My idea of social action is when a person challenges themselves to act as an advocate on behalf of someone who can’t or does not have the means to change their situation on their own. I have been holding on to this boy’s photo for a while because it touched my heart to know that he doesn’t feel loved. So I made this portrait to recreate him with an animated companion to show him love.

While the instructor played soft music in the background, we were encouraged to start thinking of how we would analyze our lives using diving board phrases such as:

• I am...
• In my family I am/I was the...
• I found my place/made my place by...
• I decided...
• The values in my family emphasized...

I selected "I am" and started using objects within my collage of images to stimulate the discussion of how I would assess myself. All of the images were made with the purpose of representing my feelings, interactions, and how I perceived my environment in that moment. So I looked at the images and sought consistent symbols that revealed something about myself.

This is what I wrote within the 3 minutes that I had in class:

"I am in a disguise through hats, shadows, and silhouettes. My hands are open and reaching towards the right direction, because this is where I should be. There are elements of time and movement, because these things wait for no one, time is always constant and movement is a constant progression. If I were to hop off this moving train of life then I would miss the opportunity. So, I will not lose focus and I will not remove my gaze. Others cannot see where I am looking, but I know, which creates the areas of misunderstanding because they do not know. It may appear selfish at times but this is a time for investment so that my crop will be overflowing in harvest season so that I have plenty to provide for others who depend on me."

The following are the images within the collage of this semester's drawings that I used to inspire the previous passage:

#Hats

#Shadows #Silhouettes

#OpenHands #RightDirection #WhereIShouldBe

#Time #TrainOfLife

#Movement

#Gaze

I certainly encourage anyone to engage in this activity and see what they come up with for their own Lifestyle Self Assessment. I will be writing a more extensive self assessment for the course, but this was a fun way to start.

We were also asked to take one of the drawings and create a changed version of it. I went back to my horse drawing that was based on a horse in my dream, I will call the horse David.

David is now more radiant, physically stronger, wiser, more masculine, and his gaze has shifted direction....I will reveal in more detail at a later time. So make sure you continue checking the blog!

All of the words listed below can be found within the Angela Anaconda styled sketch. It is my desire to carry these traits in my profession and also in life:

#Faith-Based
#Considerate
#Rich
#Honest
#Confident
#Humorous
#Diverse
#Perspectives
#Reassuring
#Listener
#HereAndNow
#Competent
#Open-Minded
#Adlerian
#Creative
#SocialJustice
#Respectful
#ConstantLearner
#Empathetic
#Advocate
#MulticulturallyCompetent
#Healer
#ArtTherapist
#PsyDorPhD
#Personable
#Ethical
#Reliable

2 Samuel 22: The Rescue of David
oil on canvas
36 x 24"

Artist Statement:
This painting was a prophetic painting performed live during a Pentecostal Service at All Nations Worship Assembly on Sunday, May 19th. My spiritual leader, Dr. Matthew Stevenson has taught messages on using your praise to bring in the Presence of the Lord to give you power and favor to heal, bind, release, and move. David is an example of someone who understood the power of potent praise, and his life was blessed because of it. This painting is based on 2 Samuel 22:1-24 which provides a vivid description of how the Lord supernaturally descended from heaven and rescued David out of the hands of his enemies.

Because of David’s humility and passion for worshiping God, the Lord remained with him. Some examples are God delivering him from Goliath, from Saul, from backsliding, from his enemies in Israel, from Absalom, and from his own sinful passions. Like any one of us, David was not a perfect person. He made mistakes, yet he was a righteous man and had the shield of God over his life because of his righteousness.

My hope is that this painting exemplifies how David was rescued by our passionate and loving father, and that its message will encourage other people to depend on God to deliver them from any difficult or tormenting situation.

Reference: 2 Samuel 22: 1-24, KJV

Richard MacDonald is a renowned sculptor known for his bronze figurative sculptures of athletes and dancers. When I was in Las Vegas, Nevada, I visited The Art of Richard MacDonald: Fine Art Gallery located within the Bellagio which is presented by the courtesy of Cirque du Soleil. I became fascinated and inspired with his style of figurative art, the realism of the acrobat and dancer bodies, the way the light hit the sculptures, and also the passion behind his vision for his Cirque du Soleil themed sculptures.

He graduated cum laude in 1971 from the Art Center College of Design. He was originally an illustrator and painter with relative success. Until the most tragic but greatest thing happened to him, a fire took place in California that completely destroyed his studio and all of his artwork. As an artist, I can imagine the loss and the pain that would result from having the items that you’ve poured your time, heart, and soul into completely obliterated.

What inspires me the most about his story, is that he was resilient, despite the great loss he continued to make art and dared to experiment and immerse himself into even greater work. After that incident, he began to explore new mediums in art and subsequently began working with ceramics and bronze sculpting which has led him to even greater success.

Resilience and human triumph are themes that are constantly related throughout his artwork which is the main reason why I find him to be so inspirational. All people experience trauma, grief, depression, devastation, but it is important for us to push through and endure until the end. The difficult seasons do come to an end and victory will be there to greet you.

He is an artist that believes beauty connects people and lifts their spirits to a higher level. He has dedicated his career to making a difference by creating passionate works of art that enrich the lives of others. His artwork is inspired by the human form which is used to make expressive statements about the many dimensions of being a human which include triumph, resiliency, discipline, spiritual realities, and emotions. Below are a few photos of Richard in his artistic process and his final creations:

For more information on Richard MacDonald you may go to www.richardmacdonald.com.

I came across this book in Barnes and Noble by Sam Piyasena and Beverly Philip and thought it was encouraging because it empowers any ordinary person to embrace their innate creativity. Every person has the capacity to create something great, it is just important to discover that greatness. This book is full of relaxing art directives that stimulate the mind.

Here is the description for the book:

“This unusual book serves several different purposes, starting with its guaranteed appeal to both professionals and amateurs who like to pick up a pencil and draw. Art students seeking a change of pace will respond to the authors’ very informal approach, seeing the lessons as fun-to-do confidence builders that emphasize the value of creative freedom. Every exercise can be performed by artists at all levels of training and ability.”

I was scrolling and came across a page that talked about how Salvador Dali was influenced by Sigmund Freud’s theories on psychoanalysis of the unconscious mind. Dali has explained many times that his artwork is based on his perception of his own dreams.

So Philip, encouraged readers to do what Salvador Dali did and create something based on a personal dream. These are the instructions:

1. Put a sketchbook next to your bed.

2. Immediately when you wake up, draw any images or messages from your dream.

3. In your drawing, try to express the emotional and visual characteristics of your dream.

4. The drawings could come out being literal depictions or more abstract and expressive interpretations.

I finally completed this exercise and here are my results:

Stephen Wiltshire is an artist from London who draws and paints realistic, detailed cityscapes. He has a gift of photographic memory where he is able to complete entirely accurate representations of a city with only briefly observing it. At age three, Stephen was diagnosed with Autism. In his childhood he was completely mute until the age of five, but he used art as his language to communicate with the world. The first word that he spoke was “paper”.

He realized that the only thing that he enjoyed was creating art, and he became dedicated to creating. Stephen studied Fine Art at City & Guilds Art College in London. His artwork has become popular all over the world, and owned by many influential art collectors.

You may view his artwork at http://www.stephenwiltshire.co.uk/. Check out this video to learn more about Stephen Wiltshire:

“Do the best you can, and never stop.” -Stephen Wiltshire

The Italian High Renaissance sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer Michelangelo faced a less complicated shopping problem in the 15th and 16th century: he had to send assistants off to market to bring back his groceries. Since many of Michelangelo's assistants were illiterate, this is the creative adaptation he came up with to get what he needed.

This is not the same type of grocery list that each of us scribble out on a regular basis, or make notes out of using electronic devices. With only few of Michelangelo's documents surviving today, it is so interesting to see that even his grocery lists contain the same artistic flair and precision that exists in his renowned sculptures and paintings.

These are a few of the items illustrated in this shopping list — a herring, tortelli, two fennel soups, four anchovies and ‘a small quarter of a rough wine.'

Resurrection of the Phoenix

by: Danielle Harth

My desire is to be a creator like Christ. My belief of creation is introducing shape, order, and hierarchy out of a chaotic situation. Christ is my creator who was resurrected. The phoenix is a mythical bird that cyclically regenerates itself, so I related the phoenix resurrection to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I see fiery wings as the all encompassing love, warmth, and protection of Christ. Blue is a deep color that historically represents infinity and wisdom. However, when blue is juxtaposed with red and yellow it represents the rivalry between Heaven and Earth. There is somewhat of a separation between the red and blue in this archetype, yet they still interact which I feel represents being “in the world, but not of the world”.  Or, I could say that red and blue in the same picture could represent Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, the totality of knowledge, being, space, and time.

There have been times that I have been afraid to actually open my mouth and speak. I couldn’t understand why I physically could not get words to escape my lips. I’ll never forget one day that I went into a restaurant during my lunch break and before I could walk to the counter to order food, I turned around and walked out because I dreaded looking the person in the eye and having to speak out loud. I remember that was the worst I’ve ever felt. I felt completely worthless, stupid, and powerless because I didn’t have the confidence in myself to speak up, even in small situations, like something so simple as ordering a burger.

Fear is designed to separate you from your confidence, the power that is within you, knowing the authority that you have when you open your mouth and speak, and prevent you from moving forward.

The way to overcome fear is to realize the power of your words. When you speak everything in your brain arrests itself and focuses on what your mouth is saying. Stop that fear in its tracks and speak authority, speak confidence, speak boldness, speak greatness, speak your dreams and desires.

You have vocal authority, your words carry spiritual power to communicate life and make things move, even mountains.

These are a few scriptures from the Bible to show you the essence of the power of God’s words.

 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
Proverbs 18:21

 “ But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
Matthew 12:36-37

 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3

 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain. Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.”
Mark 11:23-24

 My hope is that you realize that when you renew your mind, you will realize the power of words and more importantly the Word of God. For words to be sharper than any two-edged sword, that means that your mouth is a powerful tool. Don’t allow fear to snatch your power from you. Use your words wisely and creatively to build the life you want for yourself.

Like Psalm 1:3 says in the Bible, we are “like a tree planted firmly by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and whose leaves do not wither; and in whatever we do will prosper.” By each of us being trees that bear fruit, we contain countless seeds (creative ideas and gifts) within us that serve as opportunities to generate prosperity and value to our lives, our homes, our relationships, our communities, and our world.

In Art and Mythology, the pomegranate has been represented as a symbol of fullness, prosperity, overflowing generosity, and fertility because of the countless seeds within it.

Here are a few representations of the pomegranate in Italian Renaissance art:

The pomegranate also serves as a great metaphor of explaining how a personality can be so fruitful in carrying many seeds. Defining personality from a psychological perspective, personality is the set of enduring behavioral and mental traits that distinguish human beings. Each of us people are born into a solid shell, like a pomegranate, but within our human spirit we are composed of so many different elements, complexities, values, cultures, talents, gifts, humors, goals, professions, and experiences that make us unique people.

“Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Awakening”
Salvador Dali
1944
Oil on canvas
20 x 15.9 inches

“I am painting pictures which make me die for joy, I am creating with an absolute naturalness, without the slightest aesthetic concern, I am making things that inspire me with a profound emotion and I am trying to paint them honestly.”

-Salvador Dali

If someone were to walk up to you and ask you “Who are you?” what would you say?

Who art thou?

In the Bible, use of the word “art” in phrases like ‘Who art thou?’ and ‘Where art thou?’ gave the same value as asking someone who are you or where are you. “Art” took the place of the most common simple verb meaning “to be.” We are human beings. There is so much depth in the importance of just being able to communicate being— so much that whenever you learn a new language, the first verb translated is usually “to be.”

In so many ways “art” really is just being. It’s expression, it’s memories, it gives power to manipulate or imitate, it conveys emotion, it is diverse, and  it records history. Creating art has been a gift to me. My art is a record of my history and a reflection of conversations I’ve had with myself and with the world. My art has gifted me with power to imitate and manipulate my own world with my hands, when I could not control circumstances in reality. My art reflects how I felt at certain times without being able to verbalize it, and project who I dreamt of being even when I did not feel that way. My art has allowed subsistence for me to encounter peace and feel that life has deeper meaning.

I feel everyone should have the opportunity to make art. Creating art is a fun way of taking what is inside of you and making a reflection of it. Make art and take a deep look at it– it will reveal far more about you than a mirror could.