Michelle

I am a visual artist full of wonder and curiosity for the ever surprising mystery of Divine communion. While much of my artwork rises out of the ancient tradition of Christian icon art, I have found a way of creating that is playful and freeing through splatter painting, exploring childhood infatuations, and illustrating my dreams and visions. Art making opens us to the spiritual realm and fosters deep listening — something I desire to help others experience. An art education major from Dordt University, I live on a farm in rural South Dakota with my husband, two daughters and far too many cats.

How this endeavor began

The house church I am a part of are a small group of individuals who gather weekly around the lectionary texts for discussion and discernment. This supportive circle of friends has listened to my laments over the ways in which the wider church (particularly Protestant and Anabaptist groups) has done the bare minimum to engage/involve visual artists in consistent and wholistic ways. And so they said to me, “We need you…would you bring us some art every week?”
This weekly responsibility has given myself and my small spiritual community much life. I figured, if they all enjoy and appreciate it, maybe others might too.

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It’s the one color out of all the colors on my paint cart that feels very much like a dear friend… it is know formally as fluorescent magenta, but you may be familiar with it’s common name: hot pink. Considered both a warm color and a cool color, it holds joyful anticipation with pained longing. In small doses it can be highly motivation, but too much will cause sensory overwhelm. For me, this is the color of hope. I’ve chosen to wash this photo from our farm in the glorious hue to inspire, to turn our thoughts to what is promised us by our Divine Parent.

All shall be well,
and all shall be well
and all manner of thing shall be well…
He said not
“Thou shalt not be tempested,
thou shalt not be travailed,
thou shalt not be dis-eased”;
but he said, “Thou shalt not be overcome.”

Julian of Norwich

Lectionary

I utilize the Revised Common Lectionary which goes through the Christian liturgical year in 3 cycles (years A, B, and C) as presented by the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Visit the Lectionary