Josh Tiessen is a visual artist based in Ontario Canada. He has coined his style as narrative hyperrealism and often juxtaposes animals in abandoned remnants of human civilization to highlight irony and parody, the hallmarks of postmodern art.

As a teenager, ranked among the world’s foremost realist artists, Tiessen was juried in as the youngest member of International Guild of Realism, Artists for Conservation and Society of Animal Artists, elite groups of the top nature and wildlife artists worldwide. As a young adult, Art Renewal Center designated him “Associate Living Master,” and New York based gallery Jonathan LeVine Projects awarded him First Place from 2000 artists in their international competition Search for the Next Great Artist. LeVine presented the emerging artist’s debut international solo exhibition in May of 2019.

His thematic body of work titled, "Streams in the Wasteland" exhibited in 2019 and is now available in its entirety in a hardcover monograph book. Each painting has an original score of music composed by his brother, Zac Tiessen, and is included with the book or available to listen on Spotify and Apple Music. 

https://www.joshtiessen.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0995333726?ref=myi_title_dp

Support the podcast and learn more at

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Carolyn Arends is a singer/songwriter, speaker, author and teacher. She also serves as Director of Education at Renovarè Institute, founded by Richard Foster who authored the transformative book, Celebration of Discipline. Carolyn joins the podcast to talk about two new recent albums she just released, stories behind the songs and how her art has been spiritually formative over the years as her roles evolved from music to writing and teaching as well. Carolyn shares some fun stories from her past music touring with Rich Mullins and her early career in Christian music and she offers deep insight on how artists can continue to co-create into the future with God. To find out more about her work and Renovarè visit:

https://www.carolynarends.com

https://renovare.org

To support the production of these episodes visit:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Justin McRoberts is an author, speaker, artist and creative coach. His newest book, It Is What You Make Of It, is about creating something great with what you've been given rather than accepting circumstances as they are. Justin has authored several books including his prayer book collaborations with illustrator, Scott Erickson which was featured in Season 5 episode 1 if you'd like to hear that interview. For more information on Justin's work visit:

http://justinmcroberts.com

For a bonus clip of this interview visit:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast 

Ekstasis is a digital and print publication where art meets academia and kingdom meets culture. Conor Sweetman, founder and senior editor, describes the vision behind Ekstasis as publishing work that slants toward the triumphant and glorious aspects of life in Christ, framed through life, the arts and literature. Ekstasis was recently acquired by media organization, Christianity Today, which Conor is excited about and he bases the aesthetics of the publication on the work of Beautiful Orthodoxy, as defined by Christianity Today. 

To read essays and order print copies of Ekstasis visit:

https://www.ekstasismagazine.com

https://www.instagram.com/ekstasismagazine/

To connect with the podcast find us on IG https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/

Or visit us: https://vividartistry.org/podcast-1

Scott Sauls is a pastor and writer who talks about making Christianity beautiful again by responding to the world with the gentleness of Christ rather than perpetual anger and divisiveness we see in culture. Scott has served as a pastor to many artists while leading Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN as well as during his years he served at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. We talk about the pitfalls of Christian celebrity culture, the tortured artist syndrome and also his newest book, A Gentle Answer.

To find out more about Scott and his writings visit:

https://scottsauls.com

Connect with the podcast on IG or Patreon:

https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Andrew Lazo joins the podcast to talk about community, creativity and what he's learned from C.S. Lewis and the historic, literary group the Inklings. We also discuss why the Narnia books are some of Lewis's most mature works and how the deep friendship between Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien influenced them both greatly in their faith, writing and creativity.

Andrew Lazo is an internationally-known speaker and writer specializing on C.S. Lewis and the Inklings. Andrew earned his Masters in Modern British Literature from Rice University where he was a Jacob K. Javits fellow in the Humanities. He is a frequent speaker around the U.S. and U.K. and has written several articles on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. In 2009, Andrew published Mere Christians: Inspiring Encounters with C.S. Lewis. In 2014 he also was honored to transcribe, edit, and publish a previously unknown book of C.S. Lewis,’ “Early Prose Joy,” which was Lewis’s very first spiritual autobiography.

Andrew currently attends Virginia Theological Seminary preparing for priestly ministry in the Episcopal Church. He also serves as a Distinguished Lecturer while concurrently pursuing his doctorate in the Romantic Theology program at Northwind Seminary. You can find out more about his work on his website and also hear him regularly on the Pints with Jack podcast.

http://www.mythoflove.net

Connect with Art & Faith Conversations:

https://www.instagram.com/artandfaithpodcast/

https://vividartistry.org

Sho Baraka is a recording artist, performer, activist, and writer. He joins host, Joy Ike, to talk about his new book on the power our creativity has on repairing a broken world. The combination of his academic history and music career brings a unique perspective to the exploration of faith, creativity and justice. 

Sho has served as adjunct professor at Wake Forest School of Divinity and was an original member of the hip hop consortium, 116 Clique with Reach Records. His book, He Saw That It Was Good-Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World, is available for pre-order and releases on May 18th.

https://www.barakaology.com

Support the podcast:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Christine Hiester is a spiritual director, artist and musician. She describes spiritual direction as more of a companionship and a journey of deep listening alongside another person in the presence of God. She talks about how she came to spiritual direction through the avenue of art making when she experienced a deep depression and felt like the ability to pray was torn from her. We also talk about when and why it's a good to seek out spiritual direction.

This episode concludes with a 5-6 minute guided prayer meditation on our identity as the Beloved.

For details on Christine's upcoming mini retreat May 29th, connect with her through her website or Instagram.

https://www.shapingtheriver.com

https://www.instagram.com/shapingtheriver/

Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Songwriter, Andrea Sandefur, joins me to talk about a role she felt called to as an encourager and caretaker of the creative souls of her church. She tells the story of when and how she felt called to that role and how she carries that out with an artists event she helps curate at her home church in Wasilla, Alaska. Andrea is a songwriter and also a contributing host to Theophany Media's podcast called "Creatively Christian." Learn more about her work at:

https://andreasandefurmusic.com

https://theophanymedia.com/creativelychristian/

Art & Faith Conversations is listener supported. To give a one time financial gift or ongoing support of as little as $2/month to help keep these conversations going visit:

https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast

Contributing host, Joy Ike, talks about the freedom we find in the giving away of our creative gifts and the risk that it takes to realize we don't need to hoard the things we've been given. She says, "you can't add to what you have when your default is to bury it in the ground and protect it from the world." 

Joy is a music artist from Philadelphia. NPR's All Things Considered describes her work as poetic and perfectly complemented by a unique blend of neo-soul, with just the right dash of pop. Joy is also an artist consultant and coach and helps others develop their unique voice in their craft and career. 

Visit her website to view her work.

https://www.joyike.com

Connect with her:

Instagram: @joyikemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyikemusic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/joyikemusic Spotify: https://spoti.fi/34WhzXK email: [email protected]   Join the podcast community: https://www.patreon.com/artandfaithpodcast