How God Speaks to Artist Thomas Blackshear

[tsnipes]

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Thomas Blackshear, one of my favorite artists, was interviewed by author J. Scott McElroy in his book "Finding Divine Inspiration". Scott asks the artist "How does God work with you in your creative process?"

Now if you don't recognize Blackshear by name, you may have seen his work. One of his most famous paintings, "Forgiven" (above), touches the spirit of many that view it, even to the point where some have fallen to their knees in tears.

Scott's interview with Blackshear addresses that. Without giving it all away, so that you can see for yourself, here's a brief overview:

Willing to Wait:

Blackshear describes how part of his process is going to God in prayer, asking that God would reveal to him the vision of the work he is suppose to create and to wait on it to come. He has learned to be patient and wait until God reveals the image rather than getting ahead of God and creating something "pretty" that doesn't accomplish anything.

Neutrality:

Scott's interview with Blackshear also discusses that although he may have his own ideas about the next project, Blackshear allows those ideas to take a backseat to the ideas revealed to him by God.

Fasting and Praying:

I don't think that God meant for us to play "guessing games" when it comes to hearing His voice. I believe that He's always speaking, but we have a lot of noise drowning out what he was saying. Blackshear uses the time during fasts to shut out distractions as he waits to sense what God wants to create through him.

[Jason Rainville]

Well I'm not on my knees, but that's one hell of a powerful image there.

[Peter Coene]

Um... I am Christian... and I really don't want to go to hell or anything for saying this... but that just makes me think "divine surprise buttsecks!"

..and now I need to go to confession again...

[Dave_]

More drawing, less praying!

[Mebiusu]

Drawing is prayer, to me.

[Jason Rainville]

Um... I am Christian... and I really don't want to go to hell or anything for saying this... but that just makes me think "divine surprise buttsecks!"

And I never even thought of that... thanks for ruining the pic for me ()

Did a search and it actually seems he does like low-level eroticism in some of his stuff (doesn't just do religious themed stuff)

[Eric Lofgren]

I'm no Christian, but that is one heck of a message in that painting. One a lot of people would definitely benefit from. Seriously, Christ was cool guy, despite 2 millenia of dogma and trappings.

[Grief]

truly powerful:

[Hyskoa]

truly powerful:

I don't know, Jesus groping a guy is some pretty strong stuff.

[Grief]

I don't know, Jesus groping a guy is some pretty strong stuff.

whatever is going on with jesus' feet is some strong stuff.

also i consider myself to be smarter than the average bear so i shall explain the true power of this painting:

jesus has this guy held up, as though he's going to drag him to the corner to perform his finishing move from the top rope (which is a crucifix pose freefalling headbutt in case you dont watch rasslin'). the guy has illegal weapons in his hands, this tells me that it was a hardcore match, the bad guys tend to use weapons in the ring, so i'm sure we are supposed to be rooting for christ as our face, (its been awhile since jesus played a heel gimmick).

if i had to guess, the story line for this match would be that the man in purple (which is the color of sexual frustration when used in fashion) has jealously stolen the carpenter gimmick from jesus. this must be the no hold barred pay per view battle to decide the ultimate carpenter.

obviously jesus is a crowd favorite, and is handily defeating the foe who is nearly unconscious at this stage of the fight. the clear divide in the ground with the trail of blood lets me know this has been a gruesome ordeal for both competitors. the fact that jesus has his head down means that they are calling the match in the ring. this is a tactic used to inform the other wrestler of the sequence of moves that will be performed. this is used by more experienced wrestlers who are able to adapt 'on the fly', instead of calling the match in the back and making sure it fits within tv breaks. this tells us as astute viewers, that it is indeed a ppv fight. normally the athletes face will be visible and shown to the audience as it communicates the expression of the actions. a lot of wrestlers (jesus included) will wear long hair, this helps hide the talking between wrestlers when needed, and it also makes head movements appear more animated. there is a strong visual aspect the a full head of hair whipping about that is hard to mimic for athletes with short hair or wearing a mask.

the fact that blackshear chose to represent this part of the match shows that he is aware of the relationship between wrestlers. he is inviting the audience to willingly break the wrestlers kayfabe and see how the theater of the match is executed.

the man is wearing civilian clothes, which is a sign of being an outcast in wrestling, breaking from the traditional trunks and kneepands. he probably tried to win over the crown with an 'every-day man' character but was ill-recieved. i imagine that they brought in christ to reprise his role and layeth the smacketh down upon the man. i'm sure jesus would have cut a promo "the meek shall inherit my fist sucka!" before clobbering the man in purple in an altercation that would have appeared to be a shoot.

[Baron Impossible]

It's a great painting. Normally I'd praise the artist but since goddidit I won't bother.

[Elwell]

I liked it better when Blacksheare was just an illustrator, rather than a multimedia brand. More power to him, though. At least his brand of Christian Merchandise is more interesting than Kinkade's.

[Ashtonw]

Jesus is going to rape the shit out of that guy.

[Pawkfox]

It's skillfully done, a.. neat painting I guess.

Doesn't strike me in any way though..

On second thought, Jesus Is looking quite sinister.. that buttsechs thing might be true O_O

[DeadlyFreeze]

Why is it when I talk to god everyone just calls me crazy?

[Peter Coene]

Why is it when I talk to god everyone just calls me crazy?

Thats because when you do it you are usually facing a homeless guy.

[Pawkfox]

Why is it when I talk to god everyone just calls me crazy?

Don't take my word for it but;

What religious people refer to as 'talking to god'
Non religious people refer to as listening to their 'gut' or 'instinct' or 'intuition'

[Slash]

Talking to god is no biggie, everyone can do that. Its when he answers you should be worried.

[kab]

Trust Grief to make mocking someone's religion hilarious... :p

[Ilaekae]

"Talking to god is no biggie, everyone can do that. Its when he answers you should be worried."

You haaaaave noooOOOOoooo idea how many pairs of Jockeys I ruined when that happened...

[nonie]

"Talking to god is no biggie, everyone can do that. Its when he answers you should be worried."

You haaaaave noooOOOOoooo idea how many pairs of Jockeys I ruined when that happened...

You wear more than one at a time?

[яequiem]

If Jesus ever grabbed me like that you best believe there will be a lawsuit and a restraining order.

[Line]

Um... I am Christian... and I really don't want to go to hell or anything for saying this... but that just makes me think "divine surprise buttsecks!"

..and now I need to go to confession again...

OMG the biggest LOL in these forums yet!!!!

[Ilaekae]

I'm going to pee on your lawn, nonie...

[LORD M]

Why is it when I talk to god everyone just calls me crazy?

Chill, man. I also talk to God, but when I take these pills I got from the doctor, his voice disappears and he stops telling me to burn things down.

[DeadlyFreeze]

Chill, man. I also talk to God, but when I take these pills I got from the doctor, his voice disappears and he stops telling me to burn things down.

I think I need to get some of those man, God keeps yelling at me in Italian and I have no fucking idea what hes saying.

[Costau D]

God yelled at me once about crashing at his place and never paying the rent. He yelled "you are born!", and I ended up on this god forsaken planet.

[Chris Saksida]

Even though I am a christian (not part of the religion but by being a follower of Jesus) I must say this thread was too funny.

About the painting; I think that the technique of the artist is outstanding, but the subject and meaning of the painting in itself is a little shallow and lacks depth, I mean... ok, a suffering guy that is about to fall, and a generic jesus grabbing him to keep him on his feet... I like it when religious paintings have a little more depth and are not so obvious, there is so much room to express so many things, I don`t quite like this piece because it`s so... literal.

[Eric Lofgren]

About the painting; I think that the technique of the artist is outstanding, but the subject and meaning of the painting in itself is a little shallow and lacks depth, I mean... ok, a suffering guy that is about to fall, and a generic jesus grabbing him to keep him on his feet... I like it when religious paintings have a little more depth and are not so obvious, there is so much room to express so many things, I don`t quite like this piece because it`s so... literal.

Look closer.

[ArneSReismueller]

every year when i paint easter eggs i listen carefully what mr easter bunny wants me to paint!