We are unique as artists, often we are expected to be quirky, weird, strange or even perverse. There are those who take full license of this expectation and display their art in a way that does not reflect beauty, but rather expresses darkness and perversion. I believe that art should reflect the world as it is and also the world as we, through the eyes of The Creator would like it to be. What it can be. I am inspired by those who choose to see the world through those eyes.

The enemy of our life would have us reflect darkness and hopelessness and death. In the times we live in it is easy to go to that dark place. The challenge is to see the light and hope in the world and reflect it in the art we create.

You’ll notice that I am using the word “reflect” a lot in this writing, Why? because we as artists are a “reflection” of something. Think about it. As artists, we are a reflection times and seasons. We use art to reflect and impact mood and feeling, triumph and tragedy, hurt and love. It’s what we choose to reflect that can change the world for better or worse. I saw a photograph of a firefighter holding a injured baby. While the scene was hard, but the beauty was so powerfully reflected, the tenderness and feeling that came out of the photo touched millions so deeply that it caused and outpouring of grief and love,then action. Have you ever seen a painting and the image had such an effect on you, that you couldn’t get it out of your mind? That song, that you hated, or loved the words stuck to you like glue. What about that movie that scared the pants off of you days after you saw it? That’s the power of reflection and effect.

Remember I said that every idea is not a God idea? What I mean is, we have so many thoughts bombarding us every day. As believers we must be aware of what our filters allow through and be transformed by the renewing of our minds daily. That is, don’t allow darkness to have a place in your mind and get down in your heart. It will be reflected in your art. This is accomplished through prayer and reading the word, staying in connection with those who believe that we are here to make a positive impact on the world. Be in touch with what you think. Question everything that comes into your mind and see if it is from the darkness or the light. Beware of the invader! We are here to show that we are artists and co-creators reflecting the light, love and truth of God in the world. He is the ultimate artist and creator.
We are walking this thing out and showing everyone they can do it too.

This is my opinion. I’d love to hear what you think. Share your insight.

Until next time, Reflect Light!

Stephanie

So my dear friend, I’ll get right to the point. As artists and co-creators, we have a responsibility to use our art to minister and heal. We are servants. To think that artists create just to satisfy their need to be seen, heard or understood is rubbish! Arts purpose is to inspire, ignite, change and heal. As co creators with God we are His hands, feet, eyes, voices, bodies to minister His message of love, hope and beauty in the earth.

Lest you think well, I can’t paint, write, dance or sing, therefore I am not an artist, YOU ARE WRONG. Anything that you do that creates, is art. Do you garden, cook, work with numbers, even arrange furniture? Well that is art too. How about the Art of Listening? Many think they possess this ability, but don’t. To truly Listen is an art.

Art is a gift to be shared, We truly don’t own it, but are caretakers of it while we are on this planet, It is a privilege to serve and minister beauty to everyone in the world.

We must be about the business of creating art everyday. We not only change the atmosphere around us, but we are changed for the better.

My challenge to you is, begin looking at Art in a new way. First, you don’t own it, second, you are a servant caretaker, third use it to bring joy and light and finally, use it to minister and heal.

Now that you see art in a different way, Work it. Now!

Blessings & Peace
Stephanie

By my pre-teen standards, Sammie Davis Jr, Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and such seemed  like classical music. Thanks to Chuck,  my step dad (after he and Mom got married, I just called him Dad) I gained a real appreciation for that music.  Dad couldn’t sing, or play an instrument, but he could whistle!

We lived on 2 Continental Way in a sort of duplex off the main part of a dead end street, back in an alley that faced the back of Lincoln Elemtary school.  When Dad got off the bus down at the end of the street, you could hear him whistling all over the block.  At least it seemed that way to me.

He passed over 20 years ago, but in my memory I  can still faintly hear him whistle coming up  that back alley.

There were a few times, we would sit for what seemed like hours listening to a favorite singer or two.  He would point out the impeccable phrasing of the vocals or the way a singer would  express a feeling.  He is why I am so picky about singers today. He wasn’t very impressed with how many notes a singer could do in a run.  He loved how a singer could hold a note, like Streisand did or add hit a low note like Billy Eckstein.  He and I became completely immersed in the music, the arrangement, strings, horns everything.  It was when I felt closest to him.

Today, I have the same passion for music, singers especially; since I am a singer its really not a stretch.  One thing I appreciate now in addition to vocals, arrangements, phrasing is lyrics.  What are the singers saying.  What are they adding as they deliver a song?

I am very particular about the  songs I choose to sing.  What am I saying with my voice. I know how powerful music is and understand that it is more than just the “beat”.       The words of a song get down in your soul and stay there, I think forever.  I can remember tunes from when I was 5 years old.  You know,  songs that take your spirit somewhere,   back to your first car, first date ,  the first time you felt the presence of a power greater than yours.

Music is not just background, it does affect and effect change.  It  starts movement!  Think about the protest songs of the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War for example. Or songs of   revival in the church that spread all over the country.

Music  ignites the spirit.  They can  put you in a prayerful, reflective mood, reminding you of how good life can be.  I   listen to all types of music, I choose songs that feed my soul in a positive way.  Songs that just make me want to dance and holler and jump!  They are a kind of release.  Some of  my favorite songs   are those that lift up the name of the One who changed my life.  Jesus did it all for me, so I can sing praise to Him without reservation.

It all goes back to Him, back to my beginning as a Believer.   I want to  share what I know about Him through my songs.  I am simply giving Him back what He gave me, my reason for living.

So next time you plug up the iPod or wax nostalgic for music from “back in the day” think about how the words make an impact on you.

Until next time,

Stephanie

Technology is such a big part of life today. It’s as much a part of our lives as breathing. I had a friend who misplaced her phone and was frantic because as she exclaimed, “my life is in that phone!” With that said, I am jumping in.
Artistically this has been a very good year. I have been singing, acting, directing…I am living my dream.
You know when you have those times when you evaluate your life and ask, what is it all for, whats my purpose? Recently I had one of those self talks. I am at the time in my life where there is starting to be more years behind me and I ask myself if the choices I made were right. Now that my children are adults, did I do the right things raising them. I hope Lord that I did most of the time. I wanted to model a zest for life, honestly, spiritual roots and personal growth. I wanted them to see that they could be anything they wanted to be. That there is no time limit on dreams. And God only wants the best for them. Sure I blew it more than once, but my love for them is without any earthly equal. I hope that as you and I share that we will find strength, hope and encouragement. That our words are lights that shine the way into someones heart and life. Our best years are ahead, so lets go for it with all we’ve got!
Blessings & Peace, until Next time
Stephanie

My Mother had just married Chuck, my Stepfather a few months earlier, so this was our first Christmas together. She was very religious at the time and only allowed gospel music to be played at home.  I realize now, that she was trying to protect me.  She knew the power muisc had, even if she  wasn’t able to express it.  Most evenings, the music of Tony Fontane, James Cleveland, The Soul Stirrers – before Same Cooke left the group to sing secular music, and country gospel filled our home. Occasionally she would listen to classical music or Henry Mancini on the radio.

Looking back on it today, my stepfather introduced a whole new world of music to me. The music of Wes Montgomery, Earle Garner, Count Basie, Duke Ellington. Singers like; Sinatra, Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Mathis and his personal favorite, Sammie Davis Jr.

That Christmas Day was spent recording, rewinding, and recording again. I recorded and assortment of music, my sister and I singing, family conversations. I even tried flushing the toilet to capture what I thought were space ship sounds. What fun!

I recorded Wes Montgomery’s album “Bumpin” and listened to it in my room late into the night, until “Alright, turn that thing off and go to sleep” came from my Mother downstairs.

It was the best Christmas of my childhood. That Christmas, our family was new, we were happy, I had a Dad.

It was the last Christmas we were intact.

When I feel sad and hurt and lonely, I go back and listen to some of those old gospel songs.  They bring me comfort.

Now as an adult,  a musician  trying to walk out my life as a believer in Christ, I understand the power of music.  How it can be used to influence people.  I realize the responsibility I have to sing truth and life into the people’ lives.  I share the gift God has given me.

When God created Lucifer, He gave him music, instruments, beauty.  When lucifer was cast down from heaven God didn’t take those gifts from him.  So consequently, he uses them for evil to hurt us.

It is our responsibiltiy as Artists and Believers to use our creative gifts for good and for God.

It wasn’t until some 20 years later that I experienced this work in its most intimate form. I put myself, and life experience into the work. No, I hadn’t experienced everything, but I knew some sister-friend who had. I certainly was no stranger to pain, loss, heartache and betrayal. I became “every woman”. I allowed myself to
feel through each poem, its rhythmic heartbeat. Sometimes exuberant, sometimes heavy, so many more emotions than I can possible express here.

Being a part of this production, bringing the choreo-poems to life with 6 of the most beautiful women I have had the pleasure to know, has been a blessing. One of which happens to be my daughter. She joined the cast when one of the actresses became ill. As a cast, we have bonded, shared, cried, laughed and danced. We connected on a spiritual level because we were open to it. We are in a safe place to be real and heal. In turn, the people, men and women alike who come to see the play have been touched in a powerful way.

We are part of a unique sisterhood that I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life. What became apparent to me is the “motherly” nature of my being. I realize I am moving into a different role as “elder” and nurturer. I am grateful, its a good place.

I believe God is always at work around us. He can use what ever He wants to speak to us, not always under steeples. He takes the simple things, like plays, to reveal His message, plans and ways to us. Its what we listen to, that can make great changes in our lives.

We have “talk-backs” after each performance. They generate a lot of good discussion, healing, awareness and draws women closer. They discover that Love was there all along, sometimes just under the scabs of old hurt and pain, just waiting to be scraped away and seen. Women discover what they share in common, that they are still standing, still fighting, still believing. And like the last line in the play exclaims, “I found God in myself and I love her fiercely!”. God is Love. Love doesn’t hurt!

Learn to be open, be loved, be fearless, be healed, be free. You are not alone.

From one “Colored Girl” to another

Blessings,

Stephanie

God is the Ultimate Artist, creator, musician, painter, dancer, gardener, sculptor and poet, etc. He gives gifts to artists freely without repentance and it is our reasonable service to give it back to Him with all the joy and passion we can.

When Lucifer was cast out of heaven, he kept his creative gifts. He has corrupted them and used them to deceive, manipulate and destroy mankind. You don’t have to look far to see his handiwork.

It is our mission as believers to, through God take back what the enemy has stolen and show God’s power and love through creative expression. “Art from the Heart of God” He is the influence and driving force in our creative expression.

God can use whatever and whomever He wants to make his message known. He can use you, if you let Him. Art has such a powerful influence on the mind, heart and spirit. I can hear a song and it changes my mood, or see a painting and I am transported into the scene and feel what the artist is saying. Hasn’t the same thing happened to you?

So many times we experience positive or negative energy from the art around us. Knowing this, we can shape and influence our environment with the art we use to surround ourselves. Every artistic expression has influence. It is not always innocuous.

I will continue to share thoughts on artistic expression and working as an actor and musician in the secular community in the coming weeks. I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Blessings, Stephanie

A Dear Sister-friend called me a “Titus” woman yesterday. I felt a warmth come over me because I knew she meant it sincerely. So I went to the scripture and read the above passage. Wow was my first though. I was deeply moved at the idea that another woman thought of me that way.
I was reading an article on-line about the disconnect between younger and older women today. That doesn’t always mean age. It also means experience. Particularly as it relates to marriage and family relationships. I suspect it is because so many families are in distress and successful married relationships aren’t being modeled today. I find that a lot of women have the “Don’t tell me how to live my life, raise my children, or be a wife” attitude. I have said myself, “You raised yours, now let me raise mine” but then when things got hard, I realized I didn’t know it all, and I asked the elder woman, for advice.
I see young women today so concerned about the superficial things and their hearts are broken, they are wounded and so insecure. They are desperately trying to get their needs met in self-destructive ways with no direction and no sister friend to show them the way.
As older women, we need to be open about the pitfalls and mistakes we made. Don’t be afraid to say, “I didn’t know what I was doing and “Yes, I made the same mistake” Young women, there is no shame in asking for help, and older women, be loving and gentle when giving help and advice. Don’t wait until there is a crisis. It’s the simple things that build the bonds of sisterhood that we share uniquely, no matter what race, economic status or language.
We all at some time will be the teacher or student. Allow yourself to be open when you ask, and allow yourself to loving when you give. Both of you will grow.
I have found the most fulfilling times in my life have been when I have shared myself with another sister-friend and she has used the help and then shared with another sister-friend.
That is what it is all about. It’s like the little song we learned as children “when we all pull together, what an army we’ll be” An army of love, comfort security raising a generation of secure, loving and confident women.
So my dear sister-friend, are you a Titus Woman? If not, start today. If you see a sister struggling, gently take her hand and share, show and be a shoulder. Don’t judge, be loving and always prayerful. Be the light you want the world to see.