Back when I was still preaching, someone asked me to do a series on the Book of Revelation - which I normally did my best to avoid. I agreed to dive in and discuss it from a socio/political/historical (aka contextualized) perspective, but only if all the kids/youth in the church were encouraged to draw during the sermons. After the series ended, we had a slide show of the kids’ art - and it was the most meaningful interpretation I’ve ever found of that book.
You might be interested in my folk art painting (5’x7’) and subsequent 45 minute teaching video of the whole book of Revelation. It was the first step into a whole new way to study the Bible which I call visual lectio divina. I was afraid to dedicate time (it took two years) to something I thought frivolous, something I hesitated to do because it would be “too much fun.” Twenty years later I have a collection of whole books of the Bible on my walls that I ponder and learn from.
I hesitate to inject myself into Substack in a personal way, but at this point in our crumbling world my visual studies enable people to see several whole books of Scripture without words, discerning the big picture of God’s intent. After Revelation I painted Acts, 2 5’x7’ of Mark, the life of Abraham, whole chapters of John, and a 3x8’ depiction of the images in Isaiah. My website is my name, Debby Topliff and includes my paintings as well as video teachings based on them.
As for Revelation, I focus on images in the actual text, not interpretation. But my conclusion from years of study is that it’s a book of hope. We must know the end of the story to have courage to make it through the scary parts. And that’s where we are today!
Lovely interlude, Thanks! BTW: Just now at Seatac (Seattle, WA) Delta flight 415 to NYC has been delayed for over an hour due to lack of air traffic controllers -- welcome to felon 47's America. Pass it on.
I used to do that flight often for a long distance relationship and he dumped me lol. Miss Seattle very much but not him haha. He liked newt Gingrich. Now I understand why it didn’t work out and they are heartless one and all. Safe home from a former NYer 🙏
ugh! I live in Tacoma and will be heading for Italy in 6 weeks or so, and somehow had the idea that we didn't have any shortages here... good luck! On the bright side, SeaTac is way better to be stuck in than Newark!
This is why you're such an effective journalist, Anand--because you're able to look at situations a million different ways. This kind of exercise opens minds. Everyone should do things like this regularly.
Reading this at Sacre-Coeur listening to the most beautiful singer and loving your creative play at the amazing Stonehenge! Thank you for keeping that child inside alive!
Love, love, love this! As someone who is artistically challenged, I'd say you are way better than I am at sketching. I loved each and every illustration. Thanks for sharing them with us, Anand.
I sat beside a beloved gushing cascade once, trying to sketch it. I've always known it was a mysterious part of me, and wondered how to explore it. It came out an awful, hopeless mess, but it allowed me into the inner sanctum of where it really lies - a total mystery, impossible to capture.
Love it! I love the iterations you have. I also always love visiting Stonehenge. They did a pretty good job of making sure you can’t see the road when you see the monument, even though you can see it from the road. Adds to the “woo”.
It’s a similar feeling I get at the Golden Gate Bridge on a visit to SF, or the Empire State Building on a visit to NYC. These testaments to humans building. My #1 thing I want to go see is the pyramids at Giza. I have a little savings account dedicated to trying to make it some day
So cool. This made my day. You really know how to have fun. Carry on. You waste nothing. You share everything. You help us so much. Enjoy your vacation.
Back when I was still preaching, someone asked me to do a series on the Book of Revelation - which I normally did my best to avoid. I agreed to dive in and discuss it from a socio/political/historical (aka contextualized) perspective, but only if all the kids/youth in the church were encouraged to draw during the sermons. After the series ended, we had a slide show of the kids’ art - and it was the most meaningful interpretation I’ve ever found of that book.
You might be interested in my folk art painting (5’x7’) and subsequent 45 minute teaching video of the whole book of Revelation. It was the first step into a whole new way to study the Bible which I call visual lectio divina. I was afraid to dedicate time (it took two years) to something I thought frivolous, something I hesitated to do because it would be “too much fun.” Twenty years later I have a collection of whole books of the Bible on my walls that I ponder and learn from.
I hesitate to inject myself into Substack in a personal way, but at this point in our crumbling world my visual studies enable people to see several whole books of Scripture without words, discerning the big picture of God’s intent. After Revelation I painted Acts, 2 5’x7’ of Mark, the life of Abraham, whole chapters of John, and a 3x8’ depiction of the images in Isaiah. My website is my name, Debby Topliff and includes my paintings as well as video teachings based on them.
As for Revelation, I focus on images in the actual text, not interpretation. But my conclusion from years of study is that it’s a book of hope. We must know the end of the story to have courage to make it through the scary parts. And that’s where we are today!
Lovely interlude, Thanks! BTW: Just now at Seatac (Seattle, WA) Delta flight 415 to NYC has been delayed for over an hour due to lack of air traffic controllers -- welcome to felon 47's America. Pass it on.
Seattleite here. Good luck getting out of SeaTac--and into NYC!
This just made my day! Thank you so much for sharing the kid in you.
I used to do that flight often for a long distance relationship and he dumped me lol. Miss Seattle very much but not him haha. He liked newt Gingrich. Now I understand why it didn’t work out and they are heartless one and all. Safe home from a former NYer 🙏
ugh! I live in Tacoma and will be heading for Italy in 6 weeks or so, and somehow had the idea that we didn't have any shortages here... good luck! On the bright side, SeaTac is way better to be stuck in than Newark!
This is why you're such an effective journalist, Anand--because you're able to look at situations a million different ways. This kind of exercise opens minds. Everyone should do things like this regularly.
I like the fact that I can poke fun at yourself. That is a nice quality to have. My talents lean towards stick figures
Reading this at Sacre-Coeur listening to the most beautiful singer and loving your creative play at the amazing Stonehenge! Thank you for keeping that child inside alive!
So cool.
Love, love, love this! As someone who is artistically challenged, I'd say you are way better than I am at sketching. I loved each and every illustration. Thanks for sharing them with us, Anand.
That was fun
I sat beside a beloved gushing cascade once, trying to sketch it. I've always known it was a mysterious part of me, and wondered how to explore it. It came out an awful, hopeless mess, but it allowed me into the inner sanctum of where it really lies - a total mystery, impossible to capture.
I thoroughly enjoyed this
Love it! I love the iterations you have. I also always love visiting Stonehenge. They did a pretty good job of making sure you can’t see the road when you see the monument, even though you can see it from the road. Adds to the “woo”.
It’s a similar feeling I get at the Golden Gate Bridge on a visit to SF, or the Empire State Building on a visit to NYC. These testaments to humans building. My #1 thing I want to go see is the pyramids at Giza. I have a little savings account dedicated to trying to make it some day
I love, love, love these. Do more. So calming. (BFA, Painting & Printmaking)
Your right brain thanks you.
So cool. This made my day. You really know how to have fun. Carry on. You waste nothing. You share everything. You help us so much. Enjoy your vacation.
Your creativity, Anand, is boundless. Childlike or not it was a delicious moment of respite from the craziness of our current consciousness! 😁
Wonderful post. I loved 🥰 it!!!