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graphic design one of her gifts, but explained that she had trouble keeping up with tech and found herself working on outdated software (me too!).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.