Artist Stories

Who am I?

When choosing this theme, I pondered the marvelous creative nature of God and all things created by God.

In Genesis 1:26, God created mankind in His image. That image is spiritual and creative. Mankind has inherent abilities to create. Since this creative capacity is part of the inherent image of God in us, exploring and exercising our creativity can be a means of better knowing ourselves and God.

Instead of showing the moment when God forms Adam’s body out of dirt, “Spirit of His Creativity” shows God giving Adam the final touch of life, which will awaken his inner creative being, making him more fully human.

So, when asked, “Who am I?” . . .

I’m Adam, the material out of which God fashioned me.

I’m human, created as a creative being with God’s final touch of life that has awakened my inner creativity and made me even more human.

I am the “Spirit of His Creativity.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was transferred. I was not allowed to bring a lot of my property with me—they allotted only two bags of property to come in with us, and everyone lost a lot of things that got thrown away. It was very sad, and there was a lot of grumbling and chaos. I fared better than most but couldn’t bring in any of my art supplies. I am still trying to get them sent home, but no one is answering me, and no one seems to know where any of our property went.

I would like to create something for Crossroads and God! I am currently having artistic expression withdrawals! The only media I could use would be colored pencils, but unfortunately, the commissary hasn’t had any since I got here. Usually, we can make special purchase requests for art supplies, but due to the pandemic, that is not happening.

I hope this finds you and yours and everyone at Crossroads well and coronavirus-free. God bless you and keep you safe in these chaotic times that have fallen in our laps. Life is seldom carefully scripted, and in this scary time, I pray that God gives you peace.

In Christ,

Leslie

Like Zacchaeus, we prisoners all had worldly lives, rich or poor. We lived for those things that seemed more important than God Himself at that time. But then we were told about Christ Jesus, like Zacchaeus when he heard Jesus was passing his way in Jericho and just had to have a look at who everyone was talking about. And little did he know that Jesus was more interested in meeting him than he was. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.”

So, when Zacchaeus went up that tree to see Jesus, he opened his heart to Jesus, and Jesus went to dine at his house. He repented of his sins, restored all he stole and received salvation and restoration.

When we receive Jesus into our hearts and get saved, our friends and family don’t always rejoice over our changed lives, and many don’t believe there was a change at all. Zacchaeus’s neighbors all mumbled and murmured about Jesus talking to a sinner instead of being happy for him. That’s why I chose Zacchaeus as my drawing for Crossroads.

Thank you for the opportunity.

Jerry

I started doing art when I came to county jail. Facing a lot of time in prison I knew I would be away for a while. I went to church and became a Christian when I devoted my life to Jesus in January 2010. I started drawing with graphite first. Another prisoner did portraits of family from photographs. I was astounded by his talents and he showed me some tips. I continued to draw portraits from a more technical style. Using my background in science I meticulously measured and plotted the images until they were just right.

After getting my 11-22 year sentence I came to state prison in PA. I continued to draw. Mostly portraits of family for gifts. I began to change from a technical style to a more artistic style as I gained an artists’ eye for my work and God’s creation. I continually looked up at clouds, I noticed colors and shapes in natural things like plants and rocks, and I day dreamed of interesting compositions.

I began to paint about seven years ago. It was a big change from pencil drawings. It took a lot of time, practice and determination to be able to create on canvas what I wanted to show to others. Now I continue to practice and try to create one painting a week. I am flabbergasted that my art is actually being admired. It is only by Jesus and His power that I am able to do this and I am so thankful to Him! I thank you at Crossroads for being faithful servants and making this possible.

Your brother in Christ,

Jeremy