Collaborations
I’ve been told my “sweet-spot” is coming alongside other creatives, inviting them into the creative process, and staying with them along the journey.
I’d like to believe these kind words are atleast partially true.
What a joy to have the opportunity to step into the mysterious, creative process in community.
I’ll forever treasure these people and the beauty that’s come out of our friendships.
We The Kingdom
“We the Kingdom”
Andrew Berg, Franni Cash, Scott Cash, Ed Cash, Martin Cash
Scott in the studio sharing “dancing on the Waves” with me for the first time.
Cover for “Holy Water” (the original painting hangs at “Storybrooke Lodge “
I’m so humbled and grateful as I wonder how I’ve had the privilege of knowing such kind-hearted people?
these guys have come in and out of my life many times over the last decade and it’s always a joy to work with them,
to know and love their families, and to watch them lead others to fall in love with Jesus through their lives and music.
“The heart of We The Kingdom is to create music that candidly tells how God reached into the middle of our brokenness,
and drew us into His story of redemption.”
I loved dreaming with them and creating images for their songs and merch.
Here’s a little glimpse of WTK September 2019 as they joined us here in Birmingham to celebrate InSpero’s 6th Birthday.
Cover for “dancing of the waves”
These guys invited me into the process of “branding” their first two singles as they were released.
(one image was just from a series of sketches and the other from a very special painting Scott and Michelle purchased several years ago for a retreat place they share with those in need of rest and restoration.)
WTK in Birmingham celebrating InSpero’s 6th Birthday at the home of Marjean and Ricky Brooks.
On River Time
I’m so proud of my friend, Wendy Garner who’s recently accepted the position of CEO at On River Time, a 501c3
who’s mission is to serve children who are survivors of abuse and neglect.
Wendy invited me to collaborate with a few of the girls they’ve rescued to raise funds for their organization.
The girls and I had a blast creating this piece together and we named her, “Into the Light.”
The piece was part of an auction to raise funds to pour back into programs for these dear kids.
The painting we created together now hangs in Lucy Farmer’s living room.
If you would like to learn more about the work they do, please visit Onrivertime.org.
If there's a pit with no holds
For hand or foot, mind or soul
No rope thrown down from on high
Or Jacob's ladder to the sky
Heaven holds, heaven holds
Heaven holds it all
If there's a boat with no oars
Nothing to grasp to get to shore
A never-ending sea around
No place for foot to touch the ground
Heaven holds, heaven holds
Heaven holds it all
If you are lost in endless night
And cannot see or hold a light
I won't pretend to understand
But in the darkness, hold my hand
Alison Ritch
My sweet Friend and Songwriter Alison Ritch invited me to paint a piece based on her title track, “Heaven Holds.”
Alison is an ICU nurse by day and wrote this song for her patients who many times have no realistic hope of healing, whether in body, mind, or spirit; and sometimes not even a way to reach out for it.
“My conclusion is not really a conclusion; just a confidence that somehow, heaven holds it all.”
The painting hangs in the Hospital where Alison serves.
Andy Gullahorn
“The Brave One” collaboration with Andy Gullahorn (my painting based on his song)
was a sweet and unexpected surprise and gift to me personally.
Andy and I were talking one day when he was hereat our house( for an InSpero gathering) about the power of collaboration and community.
He asked if I had any paintings he could write a song about…I told him I’d much rather paint to one of his songs soooo the next morning I found a raw recording of “The Brave One” in my inbox.
After 3 hours of tears and a million replays this painting was birthed.
Thank you, Andy for entrusting me with something as beautiful as this song.
Prints of the painting and Andy’s lyrics can be found on my “prints” page.
FYI his latest record, “Everything as it should be” has just been released and it’s beautiful!! don’t miss it
Poets, painters, and Storytellers
…..and also the gift of an Allen Levi spotting:)
Thank you to Brad Griffith, founder of Clement Arts, a 501c3 gospel-centered orphan care organization who reaches hearts through the arts. In 2013 Brad invited me to be a part of the Painters, Poets, and Storytellers Event to benefit adoptive families.
I created a series of paintings (made into prints for sale) in Collaboration with Ellie Holcomb’s project, “As Sure as The Sun.”
Jonathan Rogers was the storyteller at the event. we had a blast:)
“Unmet longings steal my mind
Calm my heart with your lullaby
Will you sing, sing your night song?
Sound of love surroundin me
Promise that you will never leave
How I need, I need your night song
The truth that sings into my darkness
The melody of love that leads on
The voice that comforts all of my sadness
Oh, even when the suffering is long”
-Ellie Holcomb
“Weight of Glory” ( From Ellie’s song, “As Sure as the Sun”
Unless the Lord
Adam Wright, dear friend, music maker/worship leader/visionary extraordinaire was kind enough to invite me to use my imagination alongside one of his many dreams for the good of the church and city.
Adam assigned a number of Psalms to local vital artists and invited us to bring those to life.
In God’s kind providence I was assigned Psalm 127.
How fun to imagine such a powerful prayer set to music.
The result was a painting of Jesus over Birmingham- a prayer for Birmingham, straight to my own heart…”Unless the LORD holds the City we labor in vain.”
hanging with Adam at an Inspero event. pic by Emily Kicklighter
InSpero later used prints of “Unless the Lord/Jesus holds the City” for a prayer breakfast at 16th Street Baptist Church, led by Inspero board member, Steve Garber.
“Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.”
Creation Waits
What can I even say about this sweet heart collaboration that would do it justice…
except maybe just a little background info:
Several years ago I heard a songwriter named Jenny Pruitt play her guitar and sing in a small group at my church. I immediately wanted to be her friend.
Over time I learned of many songs Jenny had written for her children as lullabies that shed never had courage or context to share.
After sitting in those songs for many months with Jenny at my grandmother’s piano it became clear that the whole series actually told the story of Advent and the people of God over the Bigger story waiting for a King to come.
I told Jenny if she’s share her songs I’d paint beside her and hence “Creation Waits” was born.
For about 6 years Jenny and I came together to share her music and my messy creative process in response to her heart as a way of inviting people to slow down for the Advent season…even if just for one night. maybe one day we’ll pick it back up again.
Thanks to all those who came out to savor along with us the most beautiful story ever told.
one year my friend Scott came alongside me while I painted. such a gift to my heart.
