Collage: The Journey of Discovering My Creative Process

When I began contemplating what I would create, I decided to focus on the creative process. One of the things I enjoyed discussing the most throughout our readings was William’s narrative on the art making. Over the course of this semester, I have been working towards discovering my own way of working. Creating in art classes with specific assignments stunts growth in this area, as concepts and imagery are handed to you. I knew it was time to dive into what my own individual creative style looks like, without the demands of a specific course. 

A logical jumping off point was collage. When I decided I would switch from graphic design to studio art, I began what I called an “idea book.” It all started with a little 3x5 notebook from Target, and before I knew it, I had filled three of them! Inside my journals I plan art projects, track my progress, but mostly just express inspiration. When inspiration strikes I don’t usually have time to complete a piece from start to finish, and the journal provides a quick and easy way to record my ideas visually (words just don’t cut it in this area). I soon began to collect images, and from there, collaged them. Now, collage is the main way in which I discover and resolve my ideas because of the expressive quality of the medium.

Reading Grace and Necessity and It Was Good has encouraged me to push the limits of my art making. Instead of planning carefully with a concept already in mind, I have started to push aside any preconceived notions of what the art may look like in an effort to “serve the work.” For me this is a meditative, relaxing way of working, although time consuming. However, it also offers me with the most peace I have ever felt while creating. Allowing the work to flow from my hands acts as a form of worship, a connection with God. I have been able to find joy in my art which it previously lacked. I feel that I have re-discovered the joy of creation.

In this collage it speaks of a letting go. In the right hand corner are a collection of things from the past; old and faded. From them a cascade of romantic, vintage items flows through the waves and down into the water. A young girl stands upon them, swept away. For me this symbolizes a washing away of the old, and embracing the beautiful unknown of the new. Often it is so hard to let things go, but we would never know what greater wonders are to come if we do not leave them behind. This represents a passing of seasons, a change of eras, a journey of growth. 

Artist Interview: Lynda Rimke

Blue Hen Falls. Lynda Rimke.

The painting my mother sent to the soldiers.

This semester I chose to interview Lynda Rimke, a talented painter and graphic designer. I got in contact with her through my mother, who was a friend of Rimke while they attended the same church. My mother often liked to create greeting cards featuring Rimke’s beautiful art - they even designed one which they sent to soldiers. The church family wrote meaningful letters in them. I think this is a wonderful way to use art in the church!

However, I chose to interview Rimke because we have a few things in common; the most outstanding being that we’ve both worked in graphic design and have since moved toward studio art. Rimke considers graphic design one of her gifts, but explained that she had trouble keeping up with tech and found herself working on outdated software (me too!). In addition, she moved to a rural area where there were not as many graphic design opportunities - but there was a need for gardening! She now enjoys working seasonally as a landscaper and gardner with Ohio State University. 

This love of gardening plays wonderfully with Rimke's love of plein air painting. Her current project is to create a series of botanical drawings, which are required for her MGV course portfolio. She also plans to exhibit watercolor paintings of tiny flowers or “weeds” we tend to ignore. Fittingly enough, Rimke will call the show Consider the Lilies, based on the scripture in Luke 12:27. 

As you can see above, Rimke makes an effort to entwine her faith and art. 

“During my senior year pursuing a fine art degree, I made a conscious effort to go back to representational art. This was due to gaining the insight that I was made in His image, and therefore was not only His creature, but a creator. I recalled an incident in first grade, where I colored an apple much differently than my peers. My apple was not an even red, but included the mottled vertical stripes of yellows, pale greens and oranges. In addition, I had colored heavily to create the waxy effect of light on apple skin. As His creator-creature, I decided to pursue this gift of observation and passion for realism. Much more recently (2007), I took a seminar at First Friends in Canton with Janice Elsheimer, who wrote a terrific workbook called The Creative Call. This workbook was an immense help in allowing me to justify my pursuit of painting apart from financial reward. Again, it reinforced from head to heart, the fact that my artistic ability is His gift. Also, I found even more encouragement from the book Elsheimer quoted most often: Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle. She explains how as co-creators, we work alongside Him to bring cosmos (order) out of chaos. This reinforces my representational direction, as opposed to pure abstraction.”

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made. Lynda Rimke.

Rimke has walked quite the creative path, and I find that her words resonate with me. Something I have meditated upon in my work is the fact that I am indeed a creator; that God has given me a gift which he himself posseses. When I think about God’s creation - how profound and beautiful it is - I realize that making my art is an act of creating with God. This also gives me the motivation to keep going - keep creating - even when I feel empty. But this also means that as an artist I must be a good steward of my gifts. Rimke pointed out in her interview that drawing requires practice and discipline! I could not agree with her more. However, something she encouraged me in is that having a graphic design background gives you the focus, patience, and composition skills needed to be a productive studio artist. 

Lastly, Rimke goes on to share her experiences in the church, ranging from active and passive support to even opposition. Her most active support has come from Christian friends she has made within secular professional art groups. For her, this pool of 100% acceptance is a positive influence, because no one can fully understand an artist like another artistic. 

The church has had positive influences for her as well, though. At Akron Springfield Assembly of God (the church I attended in Ohio), pastor Mark Hidinger prophesied for her to paint with her eyes closed. Since she has created several “drip” or “pour” watercolor paintings, and finds it amazing! 

On the other end of the spectrum, Rimke’s work has not always been supported in the church.

Rimke's banner.

Know Thyself. Lynda Rimke. 2005. Pastel.

"Temet Nosce means "Know Thyself." 

This self-portrait has me questioning my

 motives for making art; hence, the demanding

 shadow in the doorway and quizzical look.

“The first incident was over a banner where I envisioned the resurrected Christ extending His nail-pierced hand to Hagar. The leadership just couldn't make the leap to the fourth dimension (God is not bound by time) and allow the nail prints! So I covered the red prints with gray fabric on the actual banner. A subsequent leader who was woo-ing me to work on banners simply stated "You're fired!" and so ended all conversation and my illustrious career there.”

Another point which Rimke has been unable to bring into the church with her art is ethnocentrism in banners. She planned to depict King of Kings with western crowns and scepters. She even suggested showing the King of Kings as a crown of thorns and the Lord of Lords as a bowl and towel (Jesus washed feet). But no luck! Pastor Hadinger at ASAG thought it was too “far out” and used her artist status to negate the idea, although other banners she has created still hang in the church.

Hearing about Rimke’s journey as an artist and believer was encouraging to me, and I hope it encourages you as well. As shown through her story, sometimes we will be accepted, or not. However, the important thing is to remember that we were created to create - and this is a calling which I find impossible to deny. Whether in the mediums of graphic design or studio art, we are made to be God’s co-creators here on earth, and that is an amazing gift!

“Hang on to this: Exodus 35:30-36:1 is the story of His gift manifest in a few good artists for creating the lavish beauty in the tabernacle. Note that Bezelel was "filled with  the Spirit of God in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship to DESIGN  artistic works (create original stuff out of his head)." Don't let anyone tell you he was just a craftsman following God's blueprints. God entrusted the creative part to Bezelel to make something from nothing. This is what it means to be made in His image as co-creators. We're not puppets!”

Rimke demonstrating watercolor at Wendell August Forge. 

Identity

Identity. What is it? How do we define it? Can you change it? In the Identity chapter of It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God, Prescott discusses the concept of identity. In our American culture, many people often identify themselves as a member of a group; Greek Orthodox, Hispanic, dyslexic, MFA, and so forth. But what fascinates me is how limiting these titles are, and how they divide individuals into boxes based on group characteristics. Prescott comments on this, saying, 

“Categories relating to identity can be enumerated endlessly, and in one sense the more categorically complete a description we have, the more we should know someone’s identity. But this is misleading, because categories defined by one’s inclusion in a group are always about group characteristics...[they] are limited tools for understanding an individual.” -Prescott

Up to and Including Her Limits. Carolee Schneemannn.
1973-76. Video / Performance Art.

Furthermore, the body is one way in which artists have used to define themselves. On the MoMA Learning website, the body is described as a source of identity which artists have employed in their art. 

"The human body is central to how we understand facets of identity such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity. People alter their bodies, hair, and clothing to align with or rebel against social conventions and to express messages to others around them. Many artists explore gender through representations of the body and by using their own bodies in their creative process."

Artwork by Mark Powell

However, this is only a small, nearly insignificant facet of identity. Personal characteristics isn’t going to lead us to the truth. If we base our identities off of physical strength, who do we become when weak? If beauty, what becomes of the identity with age? This train of thought can extend even further to experiences. Society likes to describe us as putty ready for molding; that we come into this world a blank slate and our identity is formed by our experiences in the world. Because our identity is the result of external forces, as opposed to internal predispositions, we may change our identity. Our culture's imagery and business is built on the idea of easy change - the ability to "make yourself over." If only it were that easy.

Identity is so much more than social grouping, physicality, culture, or experiences. We are made up of more than sexual orientation, weight, or heritage. We are more than the sum of our experiences. 

I believe this brings to one central conclusion: we did not create ourselves. We were created beautiful and unique, with purpose, which transcends any identity we may attempt to give ourselves. We were made for more than our self given labels. There is so much more to me than merely “Christian” or “artist.” George MacDonald, Scottish author, poet, and preacher puts it best:

“I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest and most precious thing in all thinking.”

Ancient of Days. William Blake. 1794.

Sources

It Was Good: Making Art to the Glory of God by Bustard

"Investigating Identity." MoMA Learning. Moma.org. 

George-MacDonald.com