Wouldn't you agree?

Personally, I'm with Will on this one.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Mactoons for this image and quote. PLEASE NOTE: This blog is mirrored on my new website, Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio. I will gradually start posting everything there, a bit before it shows up here. After the end of 2016 I plan to be posting only there. So if you like my blog, please re-set your feed settings.

Art and Religion--in Space!

Vacation Bible School starts at my church tomorrow (June 13, 2016), and runs through Thursday. This year, they’ve chosen a Star Wars theme, and titled it “Journey of the Jedi.” 

My initial reaction, based on the general fannish idea that “The Force” is a religion of its own, and the background understanding that Star Wars was based on the Hero’s Journey as outlined by the vehemently non-Christian Joseph Campbell, was, “Say what??” 

George Lucas based the first Star Wars movie
on "the Hero's Journey" archetype, as described
by Joseph Campbell in his 1949 book.

And I suspect I wasn’t the only one in the congregation who didn’t immediately put it together. But our Senior Pastor Dr. Michael Gardener addressed any such concerns head-on, in his sermon today. 

He pointed out, quite correctly, that the basic themes of the underlying story—good versus evil, the existence of  an all-pervasive force in the universe that exists beyond human (and nonhuman) comprehension, the “pull toward the light,” the value of self-sacrifice for the greater good, and the potential for redemption for even the lowliest and most unlikely, are highly compatible with the Christian message. 

He also discussed the role of the arts—literature, cinema, music, etc., in translating those concepts into something we can relate to. “So if this is a way that kids can connect" with these deep-level ideas, he told us, it is an appropriate tool for the teacher’s workbench of techniques. I heartily endorse this approach.

Science fiction is an art form that helps us stretch our imagination so we can take in new ideas.

I would add that this function of artistic expression to make ideas meaningful in new ways works the same for humans of all ages, not only kids. 

The arts—and that includes science fiction—are the bridge of meaning-making that we build between the unknown (perhaps the un-knowable) and our own understandings. It can work that way with the great truths of philosophy, faith, and all aspects of human existence, just as it can create bridges between different cultures. 

I’d like to turn my focus to the value of science fiction as a bridge of meaning-making that is compatible with religious thought. 

I just do not buy the idea that religion won’t travel with us into space (if you wish to be strictly literal, it already has). 

Anyone who believes that confronting the universe will not inspire spiritual thought hasn't considered either the universe or humans.

I say this, because there is a persistent school of thought in science fiction that says once humans have become rational, scientifically sophisticated creatures and evolved beyond the need to create “self-comforting myths” about a force greater than themselves in the universe, they’ll leave “superstition and religion” behind. 

I call bullsh*t. 

There IS one part of that idea with which I can agree: the only way humans will lose their innate need for spiritual expression is for them to evolve into something else. Whether that’s a higher or a lower life-form, I’ll leave you to decide. 

Here's a little perspective on our importance in the universe.

But there’s no way in hell (and I use that term advisedly) that we’re going to venture forth into the vastness of the universe, traveling in fragile little metal tubes that are the only shield between ourselves and certain death, and NOT say frequent and fervent prayers to some power greater than our puny selves. 

As John Young put it, "Anyone who sits on top of the largest hydrogen-oxygen fueled system in the world, knowing they're going to light the bottom, and doesn't get a little worried, does not fully understand the situation."

The old adage, “there are no atheists in foxholes” applies fully. The very best way to realize you aren’t quite as powerful and self-sufficient as you thought you were, is to meet a force of nature in one of its more dangerous and powerful aspects. 

Meanwhile, if anyone greets me with the words, "May the Force be with you," I plan to smile and reply: "And also with you."

* * *

A footnote may be needed: There are people in the science fiction community, and also in the wider public, who make certain false assumptions about me, when I tell them I am a practicing Christian. So, for the record: 

NO, I do not believe everyone who does not believe exactly the way I do (or is LGBT, or divorced, etc.) will automatically go to Hell. (I also do not personally believe that the God of love whom I follow hates or destroys earnest, thinking people who struggle to live honest, ethical lives but were reared in, or chose, other-than-Christian expressions of spirituality or belief). 

NO, I do not believe that the Earth was created 4,000 years ago, or that a study of science requires one to be an atheist.

Along with my artist friend Lucy A. Synk, I believe that evolution is "a means God uses in the ongoing creation of the universe."

NO, I do not believe that God created women and persons of color as second-class citizens.

NO, I do not believe that I have any right deny someone the legal right to have an abortion (or use birth control, or get a tattoo, or . . . your body is YOURS to control, okay?)

NO, I am not a social conservative. I am, in fact, a liberal whose focus is social justice, because of my Christian faith.

NO, I am not the only Christian who feels as if my religion has been hijacked in the public discourse by loud, often crazy, terrorists. 

Disagree with me in the comments if you feel the need to do so, but please keep the discourse succinct and civil.

IMAGES: Many thanks to Old Mission United Methodist Church, for the "Journey of the Jedi" banner, to Wikipedia, for the first-edition cover photo for Campbell's The Hero With a Thousand Faces, to Wall 321 for the sfnal beach image (artist unattributed), to Science Fiction Quotes, for the Ray Bradbury quote (again--artist unattributed!), to Getty Images via HNGN for the images of earth, the Moon and the universe beyond, to Space Answers for the image of the astronaut in the EVA suit, (and also for the John Young quote), and special thanks to Lucy A. Synk, for the use of her image Evolution.

Relative Alert Levels: The Artdog Image of Interest

It's important to discern what's really worth the effort.

IMAGE: Many thanks to "Backpacks Got Jets" on The Subreddit of the Month.

The Value of a good critique

This is a reblog of a popular post from my Artdog Observations blog. It was originally published on May 16, 2013.

In your creative life, how often do you seek out an honest and knowledgeable critique? 

Most artists are vulnerable creatures.  We make up new things out of assorted sources, imbue them with our personal vision, and then place them out into the harsh glare of an uncaring and often hypercritical world. To think of seeking a critique is always somewhat fraught with pain and fear.

I present my work to the group at the InterUrban ArtHouse's ArtMatters Critique Night on May 1, 2013 at the Vintage House in Overland Park, KS.

We do the best we can, but many times we just can’t figure out (or don’t realize we haven’t figured out) the Ultimate Best Possible Solution to the creative problem we have decided to tackle.

We can’t “see the forest for the trees,” because we are too close to the subject.  In my dog-show circuit days, we called that being “kennel blind”: you can see the problems with other people’s dogs, but you are blind to the problems in your own dogs.

Recently I have participated in several, extremely helpful critique sessions, focused on either my artwork or a science fiction novel I am writing. Different fields, different media, and from different sources. The photo above is from a notable recent evening (more to come).

But in each case I not only discovered solutions to problems I’d been having with the work in question—I  also became highly energized to leap back into the work with even more focus than before.  

Followup note: the InterUrban ArtHouse has grown and expanded its mission since this article was originally written. Read more about its current scope on its website.

IMAGE: I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the InterUrban ArtHouse and its Facebook Page, and to the multi-talented Nick Carswell, for the photo of my paper sculpture presentation at the ArtMatters Critique Night.

The embodiment of service

Here's a love-note for all the faithful service dogs whose daily devotion makes their humans' lives better.

IMAGE: Many thanks to Mactoons for this image and quote. PLEASE NOTE: This blog is mirrored on my new website, Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio. I will gradually start posting everything there, a bit before it shows up here. After the end of 2016 I plan to be posting only there. So if you like my blog, please re-set your feed settings. 

What is a Service Dog?

They show up in many places: service dogs of all sizes and breeds. Even in places where no dogs are supposed to be allowed. 

Can they really ALL be service dogs?

Sometimes the people they're with really do look as if they are injured or impaired in some way--but other times the people look normal. 

And yes, sometimes it's a scam. But businesses and the general public are legally required to treat them ALL as if they are real, and are really needed. The very good reason for this is that everyone's burden is different, and everyone's solutions to problems are different. Sometimes, just asking the question "Is that really a service dog?" can cause unintended harm. 

So whatever you might think you know about how "really necessary" that service dog is, choose the path of compassion. Give your fellow human (and service dog) a break--Also, please don't pet or distract the service dog! It really can put the dog's human in danger!

I recently posted about working dogs, in a piece called Working Dogs: Canine Enslavement or a Fulfilling Life? (you can find it on both my Blogger site, and on my Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio website). I intend to follow up with more posts about dogs and the various kinds of work they do.

IMAGE: Many thanks to The Dog Knowledge, for the photo of a variety of service dogs. PLEASE NOTE: This blog is mirrored on my new website, Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio. I will gradually start posting everything there, a bit before it shows up here. After the end of 2016 I plan to be posting only there. So if you like my blog, please re-set your feed settings. 

The Making of "Love in the Storm"

My newest piece of artwork debuted at ConQuesT 47 in Kansas City, this past weekend. It's titled Love in the Storm, and I'm still trying to decide if it's finished or not.

This is Love in the Storm, as it appeared in May 2016 at ConQuesT 47.

It looks okay at fairly close range, but when you back several feet away the green dragon kind of fades back into the waves. Is this enough of a problem that it needs to be addressed? Or is it good the way it is? Please comment below, and let me know what you think! I'd appreciate viewers' guidance.

I use overlays to fit pieces together.

This piece is the culmination of three years' assorted drawings and re-thinking. Perhaps you'd like to know how that happened. 

My paper sculpture is all based on line drawings that I draw "from scratch," usually based on reference photos. I scan the inked drawing, and often use tracing paper overlays to draw details, such as pieces of wings, interlocking shapes, etc.--then scan them, too. 

I often re-use "base" drawings for several different compositions. The "base" drawing for the green dragon in this piece dates back to early 2014. You might recognize it, because it's been the basis for a fair number of my other recent dragon images. I blogged about it last year, in a post called Dragon Variations. 

I built up the color layers for the "Ocean Wave" background element in PhotoShop.

I originally created the "waves" that form the background of this piece with the idea that I'd use them for the backgrounds of my "Koi-colored" dragons of 2015. They didn't work for that, so I left the drawing in my sketchbook. But I realized that once I added color, cut them apart and layered them up, they would be just the thing for this piece's background.

Deconstructing, then sculpting, layering and reconstructing the waves.

The little red dragon was the element I added this year. I'd originally wanted to create a piece with swooping dragons flying together, when I did the 2014 drawing--but I never could manage a second dragon that I liked, until this past May.

Sculpting and assembling the dragons.

I made that one the same basic way I made the first one: base drawing, wing to add on (in fact, its wing is a reverse of the green dragon's wing), then Prismacolor pencils to enhance the color from the computer printout. I like to add the touches with Prismacolors, for their rich hues and responsive handling. Then I put it all together, and thought, wow. That actually looks okay. 

IMAGES: This is an easy one: I took all the pictures of my own art. PLEASE NOTE: This blog is mirrored on my new website, Jan S. Gephardt's Artdog Studio. I will gradually start posting everything there, a bit before it shows up here. After the end of 2016 I plan to be posting only there. So if you like my blog, please re-set your feed settings.