Friday, March 02, 2007

Friday Five: Artsy Craftsy

The Typist here, playing the Friday Five from Reverend Mother over at RevGalBlogPals:

During Lent here at Suburban Presbyterian Church, we are exploring the creative and liturgical arts, with classes and speakers dealing with storytelling, iconography, dance, visual art, writing, and so on. The theme is "A Beautiful Thing," inspired by the story of the woman anointing Jesus and his declaration that "She has done a beautiful thing for me." (Mark 14, NIV) We are working on the notion that everything we do can be considered a beautiful thing--a creative offering to God--whether it's gardening or scrapbooking or accounting or sorting clothes at the clothes closet or child-rearing. And so:

1. Would you call yourself "creative"? Yep. Why or why not? I let my dog have a blog, don't I? ...but seriously, folks, I find expression and satisfaction in music, dance, writing, and my newest crafty pursuit, knitting.
2. Share a creative or artistic pursuit you currently do that you'd like to develop further. I'm keenly aware that the more I sing, the more I can do with my voice, so I plan to keep that up. Being in the worship band (in addition to choir, which I've always done) has given me opportunities that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Plus, it's lots of fun and there's great collaboration and flexibility in how we do things.
3. Share a creative or artistic pursuit you have never done but would like to try. Well, a few months ago I would've said knitting, but now I'm doing that. Probably playing violin, though I know I wouldn't be able to get far with all of my other commitments in the way.
4. Complete this sentence: "I am in awe of people who can play musical instruments well, especially guitar, violin, and piano. I don't have the discipline to do that."
5. Share about a person who has encouraged your creativity, who has "called you to your best self." (I'm pretty sure that's from the Gospel of Oprah.) My dear sweet bandmate Julie, who has an absolutely amazing voice and has served as a mentor to me not only in singing, but also in other crafty-type pursuits like texturing my dining room walls.

11 comments:

Sr. Heather said...

Good play! I've played flute for about 28 years now, and I love it. My son plays violin, and my daughter studied violin for a few years (hating every minute of it) before discovering that the voice is her instrument of choice. I just hope you stick with music in any way - it really is a wonderful way to keep some beauty in your life. Peace!

Terri said...

My daughter sang in the school chorus and church choir for many years...but her real love is horses. I played clarinet and piano as a child but gave them both up...so, now I just admire those who play an instrument...or sing. So, keep it up, what a wonderful way to express creativity. Good play!

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

I wish that I could sing. I am so glad that you have such an encourager in your life!

Anonymous said...

I share your awe of talented musicians.

chartreuseova said...

I don't have the discipline or talent to really learn to play an instrument well either, but I still like to play just for the joy of it.

Lori said...

Am green over the singing. Wish I could sing well consistently. What a joy it is. Good for you for working it further.

Thanks.

Maria Tafoya said...

Musicians are amazing! I am dyslexic when it comes to reading music. All those years of lessons in piano, clarinet, and violin - and I still can't tell you which note on the page is which! And no, I can't play any of those instruments today although I do sing.

Rainbow Pastor said...

Isn't choir wonderful? That's what got me back into church many years ago, after many years out of the church.

(yes, many years and many years adds up to about a century--which tells you how old I am...)

zorra said...

I think you and I feel the same way about singing. We don't live too far apart--I hope we can sing together some day! You never know!

revhipchick said...

wonderful play!

Sally said...

Good play, I'd love to learn the clarinet, but with two daughters who are real musicians I'm not sure I dare!!!