We’ve been telling you for over a year that art inspired by God is powerful and transforms lives. The month of May saw this happen in a powerful way as God used one of Tom’s paintings to draw a young lady to Himself. We believe what we have been telling you, but this dramatic example surprised and wonderfully encouraged us!

The true story of a photograph, a concert, and a painting.

Art brings intangible reality into the physical realm. God created art to give truth, which often evades words, explanations, and expressions. A common example of this is the sound track to a movie. Much is communicated through the music. Try watching a portion of a video with the sound off, then watch it again with sound. The difference is crazy (and almost beyond words!) When words fail, art brings meaning.

Our media-creativity-art-driven culture is a ripe field.

This particular story begins about a year ago when a friend invited us to a student photography exhibit. A photo of a red door framed by an entry arch kept beckoning us to come back. Its artist was one of several inner-city kids from Indy who was accepted into the photography workshop developed by a local church. Tom was so taken by the image, he asked the young lady if he could paint it. She agreed and sent him the digital file.

Months later he was invited to paint during a creative worship event. Artists created while
musicians performed on stage– everyone collaborating with God and worshiping Him. The theme of the night was hope. Tom painted from the student’s photo of the door and titled his painting “Door of Hope”.

Since August of last year, we have been involved in a rather unique Indianapolis Artist community. Located on Massachusetts Ave., in the heart of Indy’s Arts District, The Art Bank is a gallery composed of many interesting – and talented – creative people.

The building is an old bank. Dan, the proprietor – and an excellent metals artist – bought the property with the intent of allowing unknown artists, by renting wall space, an opportunity to display and sell their art in Indy’s primary Artist Community.

Three weeks ago a young woman from Oregon dropped by The Art Bank. She was visiting the city for a conference and wanted to go home with some art. She came into the Art Bank to buy a painting of another artist. His work wasn’t priced, however, so Dan invited her to browse the gallery to see if there was anything else she liked.



A piece in Tom’s room caught her eye. The title, in particular, touched her in a meaningful way.

She writes:

“Dear Tomas,

“I think finding ‘Door of Hope’, and getting connected to you and your inspiring encouragement was meant to be. After some difficult times in my life, I decided to stop drinking and started going to Alcoholics Anonymous. I got my 30-day coin this week when I was in Indianapolis, and I wanted to take something special home to commemorate it. ‘Door of Hope’ is perfect!

“Before joining AA, I was not at all religious,and only marginally spiritual. I didn’t believe inanything at all until losing my mother to cancerat age 19. I started then to believe there is’something’ after death (because I could feel her presence) but was not yet ready to believe in God.

“I went to Indiana knowing I was wrapping up my first step work in AA (acknowledging that my life had become unmanageable and that I was powerless over alcohol) and knowing that I would soon be beginning my second step (coming to believe a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity). I was nervous about this step… not at all sure how or where I could find my higher power. I was determined to go looking, and had asked some friends about trying out churches, but was still very uncertain about how to find my higher power.

“In Indiana, my Higher Power found me.

“After the events of that week… meeting some amazing people in AA and making lifelong friends, feeling my mother’s presence so strongly in a meeting called the Goddess Circle, having a gallery guide of galleries in Indianapolis appear before me when I needed it leading me to the Art Bank and ‘Door of Hope’, finding the courage to write to you and share my story….and your words back to me….this chain of events leaves me convinced beyond a doubt of the presence of God, and that he is guiding me.

“Your email, your card, and your message to me brought me to tears a number of times, tears of joy and HOPE. I shared all three with my AA group now that I am back home, and they were similarly touched. How could you have known that the very thing I was seeking was the face of God? Thank you for helping me
find him. I thank you so much for showing me the way through the Door of Hope. I cannot tell you how great a significance you, your paintings, and your words have had on me. They are transformative.

“Yesterday I attended Easter Sunday service for possibly the first time. It was beautiful, uplifting, and I cried through the entire thing overcome with emotion. My plan is now to attend a variety of churches, and find my home in one of them.

“Thank you again Tomas. You have made a difference in my life, and for that I am very, very grateful.

“Thanks, Nadia.”


Nadia (not her real name) went looking for God and found Him through Tom’s painting. The Transcendent God, the Immortal and Invisible One, made Himself know to Nadia through art. Please understand that we are not making a case that all Truth can be known through art– it’s obvious she needs theological help and grounding in the Word. Her point of entry into the Kingdom, however, was “Door of Hope”.

God inhabits our praises; He gives gifts and talents to His people; He works through each of us all the time. Over a year, He divinely arranged a photo show, a worship concert, an art show, and all the inter-connected relationships forming a lifeline around these events to draw Nadia to Himself.

Art has inherent power. Culture is the knife’s point of society. When God is invited into the process the potential within art is further magnified by His creativity and power. God has something to say through each of us – with words, with relationships, with books and articles, and with art.

Thank-you so much for partnering with us. Tom would not have painted “Door of Hope” without your support of Halcyon Arts. Nadia would have purchased someone else’s painting and might still be looking for Jesus. On behalf of her, thank-you!

Nadia closed her letter with, “I also hope I might stay in touch with you to update you on the progress I am making both in my recovery, and in my spiritual journey.” Please pray for her and us as we travel the journey toward Christ with her. In the Creator’s hand–

This is why we do what we do; why we continue to ask you to support us; and why we don’t do life the easy way!

We’ve been at the Art Bank for several months, hoping and praying for Tom’s work to sell, and this is the way God answers. Can you shout His praises with us?!? I need to hear a couple of Hallelujahs all the way in Indy!

Incidentally, at last month’s First Friday Gallery Walk, Tom sold two more paintings and Cathy sold a bunch of photos. After the gallery closed, we were also invited to go out with three of the artists who continue to be
curious about our faith.

A note from an artist’s manager (who is also a believer): “Cathy, the ‘Robbing the Bank’ team is so happy that you and Tomas are exhibiting at the Art Bank now. Who would have thought that your exhibit and ‘create art’ efforts in June 2010 would have brought you into the Art Bank Gallery so quickly with wall space….by Aug 2010!”

God is using our art, and Halcyon Arts, to reach out to people and show them there is a better way; a way to God. Thank you for your support, which allows us to continue and develop our work both through our music and in the Indianapolis artist community.

createArt

In June we are re-starting this dynamic ministry. Please pray for God to guide us to artists (believers and seekers) who are serious about their journey toward Jesus.

DRAW NEAR ministry continues

There are still about 550 CDs behind our couch. Do you know someone who needs one? Here are some comments from listeners and a doctor who is partnering with us by giving DRAW NEAR to his patients.

“I have been using your CDs as gifts to minister to certain selected patients that I meet. I am waiting to see what God does with them. I am also taking you with me to Mali. (That is) I am taking a bunch of your cd’s along to give as gifts (let’s just call them ammunition) for our missionary friends over there who are engaged in the work of Deut. 6:6-7.” (These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts…Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up… Remember our challenge from our last prayer letter?)

“Last night my car needed some sound and I wasn’t in the mood for any radio ads. I realized that I had your CD within reach and put it in. It touched my soul this morning. Or should I say it helped my soul reach out to Jesus this morning. I turn it up loud and sing (even though I can’t hit all the notes you can). Thank you for following this project through and recording all these songs. They have been a blessing to me.”

Cathy has a blog and Facebook page that share other stories about what’s going on with the CD and her music:

• http://ordinarygirlmusic.wordpress.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cathy-Howie/60546223809

They both have a link to a new song. Check them out!

Birthdays

Chris and Deanne took us to see one of our heroes-- Red Green-- for Tom’s birthday. (Can you see Cathy’s duct tape bracelet??

Stay tuned for photos of Cathy’s (major milestone) birthday this June!

Finances

Thanks for continuing to give – and please consider an extra gift over the next several months. Our income during the summer always takes a hit as people are on vacation.

Also, if you have the means and God leads you to do something beyond our wildest imagination and bank account, we have to pay off our HVAC loan by July 1, or we will owe buckets and loads of interest. The balance right now is right about at $4.5K.

Our water heater has also been leaking for over a year. We still have hot water… for now anyway!

Schedule

There are quite a few events coming up in the next month. If you live in the area we’d love to have you attend (and prayer-walk), if you live elsewhere, your prayers will be just as effective from afar.

• June 3 – First Friday Gallery Walk
• June 11 – CreateArt
• June 17 – possible coffeehouse in Indy
• June 18 – Yard Share (poverty relief event) Indy
• July 1 – First Friday Gallery Walk

Divine Collaboration

A couple of weeks before Easter, God gave Cathy an ideaand guided her each step of the way in making a piece to go around the cross in our church. There isn’t room here to share the story – you’ll have to watch her blog or ask her about it!

Prayer and Praises

• Continue to pray for God’s priorities and scheduling to be
  clear. We have more options than we can possibly do!
• Praise God that it looks like we will be eligible for health
  insurance at Panera when our COBRA coverage runs out in
  June! (And pray it actually happens!)
• Pray for God’s provision for our HVAC loan to be
  completely paid off by July 1.
• Praise God that paintings and CDs are selling!
• Praise God for the Art Bank relationships that continue to
  grow and deepen. Pray for us to truly love our new friends.
• And most importantly, pray for us to keep the One Thing
  (our love for Jesus and following Him) the main thing!!

We love you!!

Tweet This Post

Thanks! And maybe we’ll see you at one (or more!) of the following.

ArtsGarden
Thursday, October 7
12:15 PM (just after noon)
Washington and Illinois, Indianapolis
FREE
www.indyarts.org/calendar.aspx?id=12405
—————————————————
Songwriters in the Round
Sunday, October 10
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Chateau Thomas, Nashville, IN
225 S. Van Buren St. in Nashville IN
I don’t think there’s a cost
—————————————————
Radio Ministry Concert and Fish Fry
Saturday, October 23
Concert 3:00 – 8:00 PM
New Horizons United Methodist Church
611 E. 53rd St. Anderson, IN
Fish Fry- $9 adults, children 6-12 $4.50, under 5 free
—————————————————
Evening Worship Service
Sunday, October 24
5:30 PM
Ellenberger United Church of Christ
5520 East 10th St (on the corner of Ritter)
Indianapolis, IN 46219
www.ellenbergerucc.com/

Tweet This Post

Interacting with artists and encouraging them to draw nearer to God whether they have a relationship with God or not is one of Halcyon Arts core values. But up until a few weeks ago it was just a good idea. Now it’s reality!

God answered your prayers with a best-case-scenario!! (We asked those of you who get the email prayer update to pray for a gallery and artist relationships when we participated in Robbing the Bank – a Bohemian art fest in downtown Indy.) The Art Bank, an artist cooperative, has invited Tom to join. This week we’ll be painting his gallery wall and hanging paintings to get ready for the First Friday IDADA Gallery walk on August 6th from 6-9pm.

www.idada.org/?page_id=57.

If you’re local, stop by!

Why “best-case-scenario”? Unlike a formal gallery, the Art Bank encourages exhibiting artists to get to know one another and build community. (Part of our mission statement!) Or, unlike being a vendor at art fairs all over the Midwest and meeting lots of artists we never see again, we’ll be able to build long-term relationships. And the Art Bank also has A/C!! (One art fair was enough to remind us how hot summer can get here!) Here are some sites to visit if you want to see photos. Please pray for us, the gallery owner, and the artists of the Art Bank.

http://www.indyarts.org/organizations.aspx?id=515

http://www.facebook.com/theartbank

The Art Bank is in “The A List” contest. Please click here and vote!! You have to register with your email address to avoid people stuffing the ballot box. Your vote really will count!

http://wrtv.cityvoter.com/the-art-bank/biz/91826

So, why are we embarking on an artist journey when the economy doesn’t favor the arts? Good question. We’re glad you asked.

• The easy answer is that God has led us on this path. And although we can’t pretend to know his mind, here are some reasons that may explain His timing. Artists, more than during a season of economic prosperity, are struggling. Struggling people are more open to talk about spiritual issues.
• Discussion about the worth of the arts comes up during tough economic times. It’s a great time to engage people in discussion.
• Here’s one of our favorite articles about art and recession. Let us know what you think! http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/june/27.50.html

Tom on the far left in the black hat painting at “Robbing the Bank” in the Art Bank’s parking lot on a very hot and windy day!

Music: Divine Appointments

1. “Are you sure you want me to play at the Farmers’ Market? Most of my music is about Jesus.” The entertainment coordinator said that would be just fine. And while there wasn’t really an audience, except for the vendors right in front of us, God provided three divine appointments.
2. The chiropractor opposite our tent came over to buy a Draw Near CD and instead got in a conversation with Tom about using Draw Near in his business to help them relax. (THAT wasn’t on the radar when we decided to make the CD!)
3. A couple from California heard the CD playing during a break and stopped in to buy one… because of the Christian content.
4. Then, as we were packing up a young woman stopped by and asked for a card. She saw the old demo CD title “Be the Center of it all” and wondered if we would come and play at spiritual centering events she has on her farm during the summer and fall. As we talked it became obvious we weren’t coming from the same perspective, and Cathy got more and more excited. Here was a new-agey spiritualist asking if we would come sing songs about Jesus at her events. Oh yeah! We are definitely interested!! Please pray for Janet and our interactions with her, that True Light would penetrate the enemy’s deceptive darkness.

Important Announcements

• Church: This week our lead pastor appointed Cathy to be the Interim Worship Coordinator while he searches for a new worship pastor. God called the current worship pastor to a church out east, and he is leaving in August. This is a wonderful opportunity to serve our church family which has been behind Halcyon Arts 100%, and extend our ministry.
• E-Mail: Our email provider has put limits on our outgoing email. This makes it difficult to keep those of you who get email prayer updates informed. If we send out an update, Cathy is locked out of her email for 24 hours. Since most of our ministry communications are by email, we hope to have the issue resolved soon!
• Web Sites: We both have new websites that have links to everything we have on-line. Check them out and leave a comment. Simplicity!!
  • Tom – http://www.tomashowie.com
  • Cathy – http://www.cathyhowie.com
• Finances: God has been so gracious! Our bills have been paid which is beyond our understanding of mathematical principles! If you haven’t switched your giving over to Halcyon Arts/ACT, International, please do so right away (see Become a Partner on the left)! Right in the middle of a heat streak, our 30-year HVAC unit stopped for good. The Art Bank monthly fee is $150. We definitely have needs and are trusting God to supply them. Is He is asking you to be His conduit??

Prayer Needs

• Tom is still looking for a part time job with benefits.
• We will spend much of July and August planning for fall events. Pray for God’s clarity in the midst of many options.
• Administrative stuff continues to wear on us. Pray for diligence and quick learning, especially on the promotion of our CD.

At the Stier family reunion with our newest family member, Lizzie, and holding photos of Jon, Chris, and Deanne who couldn’t be there in person.

God’s richest blessings to each of you as we push back the darkness together—

Tweet This Post

• Lala
• TradeBit

Out total of digital outlets is now 6:

• Amazon
• CDBaby
• iTunes (This is a listing. Purchase the album through your iTunes software.)
• Lala
• TradeBit
• Zune

You can also buy the CD directly from us through PayPal, by mailing us a check made out to Halcyon Arts, or through cdBaby and Amazon.

Tweet This Post

Tune into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/adrienne-manson/ at 5:00p.m. If you miss the live broadcast, you can still go to the site and listen to the recorded show.

Enjoy!

-

Tweet This Post

Simply log on to your blip.fm account and do a search for “Catherine Howie.” The search results will return all 12 songs on the CD. Go to town!

DRAW NEAR is now available for digital download through Amazon.

You can reach Halcyon Arts through Twitter. Follow us for updates on our ministry, Tweets about Christians in the Arts, and anything else we think you would enjoy regarding Art and Music!

See you in the virtual neighborhood!

-

Tweet This Post

iTunes. This is a listing. Purchase the album through your iTunes software.

amazon.com. This is a purchase of the physical CD. The album is not showing up in Amazon’s MP3 downloads site yet.

Zune. MP3 downloads only.

Stay tuned for more! Tell your friends!

Tweet This Post

You can also use PayPal, or order directly from us. Details on the DRAW NEAR – Ordering page.

Thanks for your support! Enjoy the album, and let us know what you think.

(Watch this page! We will be listing retailers who are carrying DRAW NEAR, as well as other digital outlets.)

Tweet This Post

Catherine Howie: DRAW NEAR!

We had a couple of last-minute glitches, but Cathy’s inaugural album is now ready for purchase! You can order your copy here.

The production of this album has taught us many things:

• How to produce an album (no small feat)!
• The many details involved in working with musicians, arrangers, studio professionals, artists, and one very large brown bunny.
• Marriage survival tactics in a prolonged, high stress environment.
• Most importantly, how to trust God, and lay before Him our artistic and musical gifts, so that He may bless them and receive the glory.

Jump over to our DRAW NEAR page to find out more about this exciting album!

If you would like to offer DRAW NEAR through your business, church, or media outlet, please contact us:

DRAW NEAR
Halcyon Arts
PO Box 323
Fishers, IN 46038
halcyonarts@howies.org

Tweet This Post

We’re asking for a suggested donation of $15 for this CD. Please add $3 for shipping.

Make checks payable to “Halcyon Arts” and mail them to:

Halcyon Arts
PO Box 323
Fishers, IN 46038

Be sure to include your shipping address!

Thanks for your support! (Tell your friends!)

-

Tweet This Post