Drawing Dialogue

Sugar maple sketch

2011-11-12T12:45:00.001-08:00

2011-11-10T23:43:00.001-08:00

30 Pieced of Silver

2011-11-10T22:34:00.001-08:00

Peter Denying Jesus

2011-11-09T23:09:00.001-08:00

2011. Ink on copy paper. Then, reproduced with a Fedex Office coper on watercolor paper. Commissioned by a friend who maintains Good Grapes [dot] org.

The Seattle Vineyard Painting Project Fundraiser

2011-11-09T09:17:00.001-08:00

I created this poster for my church, the Seattle Vineyard, to help visualize the progress that we're making as we seek to raise money to paint the exterior of the building. This image was made to be printed as a large poster to be hung on the interior of our church. As funds are raised to paint the church the various blank-white walls with a dotted line perimeter, are filled in with colored cut-out colored shapes to look like the image. This is a completely vectorized image so it can be scaled without "pixlization." To create the image, I worked entirely from this google street view photo.

The Brothers: A View of the Olympic Mountain Range

2011-11-09T07:22:00.000-08:00

Fresh Mountain Graffiti

2011-11-08T22:22:00.002-08:00

Fresh Mountain Graffiti. Digital Painting.

Bend, OR

2011-11-08T00:39:00.000-08:00

2011-03-19T00:28:00.002-07:00

3/16/2011. This is a pencil sketch of my girl, working hard, editing a poetry anthology. She's incredible. God, thank you for her. Thank you!

Heathen Chickens

2011-03-03T01:23:00.000-08:00

doodling. after. bed. time.

Whale Doodle

2011-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

Behold - an ink wash grey whale doodle in my sketchbook.

M&M Ink. / Christmas Thank You Cards

2011-01-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T11:05:00.003-08:00

Happy Birthday, Jesus! (Click on image to view a larger version.)

2010-11-22T16:41:00.000-08:00

...an invite for friends who have out-of-town family. I love making vectorized b/w flyers.

The Unstable Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fresh

2010-11-13T01:00:00.001-08:00

(The Unstable Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fresh, guache on watercolor paper, 9" X 12", 2010)

2010-11-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

Ball point pen and lined paper. Colorized in photoshop.

Brown Bear In Grey

2010-11-04T11:16:00.001-07:00

Www[dot]zoo[dot]org, is the url for Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo. And so I'm assuming that of all the zoos in the world, Seattle's started using the internet first.

Any way, yesterday I "rocked" a Sharpie and a small sketchpad for a couple hours, drawings the zoo's anamials and some trees - way fun. The image, above, is of a brown bear. The brown bear was in the exhibit next to my new favorite anamal, the North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis). Unfortunatly, the otters were too fast for me to get some good drawings of them.

2010-10-23T18:47:00.001-07:00

This is a quick sketch that I made of my girlfriend and me. I particularly like how this image captures a few of the complementary differences in our personalities. (Megan, thank you for being in my life!)

Aforementioned Affection, No.1

2010-10-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

(Aforementioned Affection, No. 1, sharpie marker and acrylic on cardboard, 10 11/16" x 13 3/4", 2010)

Photogenesis

2010-10-16T01:10:00.003-07:00

Photogenesis by Brian Goggin @ North SeaTac Park, courtesy of Google street view. Really want to see this in person!

View Larger Map

Going Steady

2010-10-14T16:56:00.002-07:00

(Going Steady, guache on watercolor paper, 9" X 12", 2010)

2010-07-12T09:23:00.001-07:00

This self portrait was done on the same day that I painted myself on my grandmothers back porch. I made this painting looking into a tea pot, which is why my face is elongated. Unfortunately, I was forced to stop painting prematurely because the light in my grandmothers dining room, where I was painting, was changing too rapidly as the sun was setting.

2010-07-12T09:18:00.001-07:00

This chair lives in Ohio.

2010-07-09T09:17:00.001-07:00

A quick study of some violets.

2010-07-09T08:48:00.001-07:00

Watercolor! I made this painting in Pennsylvania, 80 degress and high humidity, on my grandmothers back porch.

Ireland map

2010-05-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

Some graphic design that I did, by request, for a friend. Making this map was way more fun than I ever expected it to be!

"a prayer" stencil study v. 1 & 2

2010-05-10T12:43:00.002-07:00

2010-04-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Today is Good Friday.

nazareth.

2009-12-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

"Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46)

I'm guessing the modern day version of this Nazareth is covered in graffiti.

2009-11-23T15:48:00.000-08:00

cloudscape, two

2009-11-22T00:42:00.002-08:00

cloudscape

2009-11-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

I like this one.

2009-11-19T20:06:00.003-08:00

"the only wrong way to do a painting is to not do it at all."

-Above

Sunset Experiment

2009-11-18T21:09:00.002-08:00

2009-11-14T09:45:00.002-08:00

2009-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just a random coffee shop sketch.

2009-10-03T10:51:00.000-07:00

Jesus is my Sabbath

2009-09-14T13:10:00.004-07:00

I run down empty hallways. My patterned steps produce a metallic echo in these long lonely passages. My sweat is cold. Pulsating questions of "who am I" push through my vains. My heart beats without feeling. Music is frightening because I have no peace - I have no symphony space for the music, my heart to play.

A hundred million questions, it all comes down to one. Knowledge is my insanity. The ticking of a clock, or the melodious tune of a violin: Do I know enough to hope for what is not seen? Perhaps boldness is required to behold eternity. (A friend has postulated with me that near the divine there is a warping of time.)

[Stop]

Jesus, my everything-peace, my being with you is the home of my identity. Lead me, Lord. You are so full of care. I want to rub grain between my hands* (too!) in-spite of the pharisaical onlooking of my thoughts.

*Mark 2:23

2009-09-13T09:27:00.007-07:00

Why asking why is so hot! (Hyperlinked in the first "why" is a sermon on fighting structural evil by Rich Nathan titled, "Shaking the System". Like the topic of my previous blog post on a message by Cherith Fee-Nordling, this sermon does not shy away from a call for justice by calling into question many often-overlooked cultural norms.)

Cherith Fee-Nordling

2009-09-13T08:39:00.007-07:00

This morning, Cherith Fee-Nordling will be giving the sermon at our church. She was a guest speaker at the Vineyard USA National Leadership Conference this year, and in preparation for her visit this Sunday, we were encouraged to listen to her sermon, online here. The message that she gave was introduced as a prophetic word for the church. And it is. Her words resonate with the ways that I have been thinking about being called to die (into life!). (Oh, bty, this blog also captures some of the good thoughts that Cherith had to share, in the linked sermon.)

I'm writing this because I want to encourage you to listen to this sermon. It's about an hour long; so, it will cost some of your time. If you want to download it to your ipod, e-mail me for instructions. I will also post the sermon she gives at our church in about a week.

Ok... amazing... go listen! (Oh, also, I've noticed that there is a powerful aspect to her voice that to a simple no-compromise freedom. I almost wonder if some of the power in her clear-call to purity is as a direct result of her own path of self-acceptance, as a female image-bearer of God.)

2009-09-10T09:05:00.001-07:00

I'm taking my ship to the dock, to be stripped, drained, emptied, and washed. I am a gaping wound. I am a ripped sail. My good deeds are as filthy rags. I wear prison robes. Truth is, I've been exchanging lawless behavior for shame.

But, redemption robes are my call - my inheritance. His grace is my ground. I hope on the deepest name.

Still, I'm living on a precipice, and I'm being pulled in two directions. There is life in one direction and nothing on the other. And the soaring of my heart, seated in this pinnacle point, is my yoke. I see a thread, keeping me in safety, but the word tells me it's as sturdy as a cross* that broke the King's back.

*The cross = God's eternal justice.

me (and my hand) again

2009-08-09T23:02:00.004-07:00

This digital painting is a little more fun. (The hand was intended to be in the foreground, but the lack of any overlap tends to make it just look disproportionate.) It's exciting to begin using my "painting brain" again.

2009-08-07T18:52:00.002-07:00

Lately, I've been playing around with my digital painting equipment. This is a quick 40 min sketch/painting/experiment that i did, just now.

just'a doodle

2009-08-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

3 sermons

2009-08-01T14:20:00.006-07:00

This past week I listened to three particularly meaningful sermons. Listening to sermons has been an integral part of my devotional life over the past seven years or so. As a student, I particularly enjoyed listening to sermons while cycling through the Pennsylvania back country. And just recently, I've learned to dance (and express my enthusiasm in other happy forms of praise) on my bike in downtown Seattle - it's an art of ignoring the thoughts and opinions of all the possible bystanders and car-sitters. So, all I'm really trying to say is, "take it to the streets brother." Sermon podcasting is in.

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name - I actually read the transcript from this sermon, slowly several times. And this will be one of the few sermons that I listen to multiple times. My favorite aspect of this sermon is the way that Jesus is described. Oh, +, this is a great sermon to listen to early in the groggy morning when any humorous story or overt joking is annoying. So if your in a somber mood this might be good for you.
Why pray for Healing? - This is a link to an itunes podcast. I wasn't actually able to find this sermon the Joshua House website, but I did manage to find it in the list of podcasts on the itunes store. Sorry for the inconvenience. And yea, enthusiastic shouting is recommended. Oh, don't worry, its free do download this from itunes.
What Makes an Effective Leader? - Contained within this sermon is perhaps the best description of codependence that I've ever heard. Oh Lord, I want to follow (and only worship) you.

I'm floating on a cloud

2009-08-01T12:41:00.004-07:00

This morning (and early afternoon), I've been floating on a cloud. That is, last night and into the morning I soaked in a conversation with a dearly loved (and special) companion. I'm still amazed how an 8 hour skype conversation can feel like 8 minutes. The Lord loves us so much. Thank you Father, for the gifts of your love. Thank you, Father!

MattiBurns. is. yumm.

2009-07-30T23:26:00.007-07:00

free (quality hiphop) music from an art school friend.

----> visit ----> sample ----> download ---> enjoy

me

2009-07-30T22:29:00.006-07:00

This is a picture of me. Apparently I drew it on 10/17/06 at 12:20 AM while listening to "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman. I can tell by a scribble of some of the lyrics and the music notes above my head. This song has been a favorite of mine for many years. I wonder how delightful it will be when all the depths of my heart can sing this to God.

2009-07-28T06:51:00.002-07:00

Just a random doodle from last night's JoyHOP.

IF: idle

2009-07-24T12:42:00.002-07:00

(my entry for "illustrationfriday.com")

deep pain and love intersect

2009-07-18T17:33:00.004-07:00

When you reject yourself, when you reject your worth, you are rejecting Jesus. ( Jesus, I receive your love. I'm done telling you that I'm worthless. You loved me enough to die for me. I receive your love. I receive that I am worth love. I receive you.) ( Help me God!)

CHIWAUKUM MTS, WASH

2009-07-15T22:57:00.007-07:00

This past weekend, I climbed around in the Chiwaukum Mountains - yea, how about that for a name. The NW is full of great names like that. We hiked trail 1591, which unexpectedly turned out to be an intensely challenging trail. Climbing the 4400', that's almost a mile from our parking spot to the top of the snow covered Larch Lake, was the most athletically strenuous thing I've done since my last State College to Johnstown century ride. But, time spent with my team was an honor - three great men and a beautiful golden retriever.

We spent a night at the east end of Chiwaukum Lake, evaded "skeeters" with layers of bug repellent, did some fishing and played hearts late into the night. I did some reading - in fact, I probably hulled an extra 7 lbs of books and art supplies in my new bag. But, having my Bible was worth the pain. Two other books, one by Parker J. Palmer and another by Leanne Payne, were probably unnecessary; although, I did read through half of Palmer's book. (Hopefully, I will provide something of a "drawing dialogue" review of these books later. Both are very enjoyable reads... ok, I'll save it for an upcoming book review.)

In the midst, of jagged rock peaks, delicate flowers, roaring dangerous "creeks" and towering trees I was personally affronted by levels of beauty and wildness that surrounded me. Then, I realized there was a fundamental difference between the way I experienced my old familiar Pennsylvanian forests and these forests. Something was keeping me from spreading my arms and soaking into this wild place. I just couldn't "own" this landscape. Then, I had the thought that, perhaps my inability to emotionally connect with this wild landscape is related to an inability to "release" my past. And so, in the quiet places of my heart I began processing death and the wildness of God. At one point as I was lying on a mat of tundra-tough ground cover as clouds were pouring over mountain peaks, my heart wrote a simple prayer on the walls of my chest, "God, I repent for not trusting your love (for me)." This was different from other recent prayers in which I directly focused on rejecting thoughts of my own worthlessness. Rejecting worthlessness (in the name of my Lord) can only take me so far. Receiving His love is what I'm learning.

So, all that to say, a weekend in the woods and my welcoming the love and wildness of God has been for me, the beginning of some significant inner healing - Praise God for his love.

The guy in the vest

2009-07-15T17:01:00.006-07:00

Yesterday I was able to do a "site visit" for a building I designed (structurally) and I accidentally snapped a picture that I really like for photographic reasons. It's interesting to look at this photo because almost every visible element began as numbers on my calculation pad, or came across my desk in some form. Obvously, this excluds the guy in the vest, the forklift and the orange cones.

a recent bus sketch

2009-07-09T19:28:00.001-07:00

death

2009-07-01T23:12:00.008-07:00

A couple months ago my brother was sharing with me some stories about the death of our mom. (Somehow I’ve been detached from any emotional experience of the days that surrounded my mom’s death. And so, I was asking my brother to share his memories with me. He may also be as detached. After all, I was asking him to share with me for the first time, 15 years after she died.) Any way, as my brother was sharing he explained that he was rejecting Jesus because of the way friends of our family casually attributed our mom’s death to God’s will. Did they really communicate to him, a 12 year old, that her death was assumed to be the natural next step or something somehow “ok”. Everything was “ok”.

BUT. What if... what if death is an enemy. What if death is not "ok". Yesterday, I was listening to a sermon on death by Rich Nathan titled The Challenge of Death. ( He gave a very encompassing and consequentially powerful sermon on the subject that I would share with any other person who is, um, living on this planet.) In the sermon, he describes a little child who runs away from her death-conceding mother screaming, "I don't want to become fertilizer." Well, I can relate with this child. Death isn't natural, and it's not something that I will casually approach.

What if death didn't/doesn't have the last word? Did Jesus raise people from the dead so that they could die a second time? What is eternal life? What if physical death isn't really death? Perhaps its because physical death is limited in its power that the Bible says the saints, "fell asleep in the Lord." Of course, all these questions are connected. If death, then what is life? Could a person be physically alive and simultaneously dead to the essence of life.

The Great Divorce, by C. S. Lewis. - beyond the unknown of the casket, this book suggests that there are two worlds. One world is comprised of substance (in all relationships) and the other world is one of isolation. Hmm.

Somewhere near the end of Rich's sermon he contemplates how it will be after death, when a person comes before God. There will be no more secrets. Nothing hidden. All of us before Him. Opening wide my chest, to the mercy of God is a wonderful feeling, to me. Surely, my ability to surrender it's a gift. But, I'm trusting the cross. All that could have condemned me was placed upon Jesus when he chose* to place his life on the cross. A gift.

*freewill - a reference to another deep-set amazing sermon by Karl Neils this past Sunday.

6-30-09

2009-06-30T17:48:00.007-07:00

This air feels so thin. My heart is on a distant planet. I walk through hours of work in my Seattle microcosm. My thoughts are elsewhere. This temporal dwelling is hours of waiting. But, there is healing in this space – the encrusting grey paint of individualism and self-protection is falling-off in this stretching.

Lord, work your ways in these lives – it’s not what you can do with me. Rather, what you can do with us? (After all, if there wasn’t an “us”, I wouldn’t be an "I".)

"The Folks"

2009-06-24T23:31:00.005-07:00

Drawing by Barbara Dachille - August 13, 1989

Digital Painting by Mark Dachille - today.

Mark's Robot

2009-06-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

coddle me now

2009-06-21T22:07:00.008-07:00

There is a sort of crying that is not expressed in tears. It's a lingering sort of mourning. My long-faced knowing that brokenness has broken me. So, I'm sitting at my desk at work missing what I pushed away. Hope for a future only provides minimal consultation for what is now. And, the now is a time of waiting and praying, siting in the doctors office awaiting His grand re-entry. The now is a time pain and presence.

(Striving, stop.)

It's not for me to know what is next. I can hear God's voice asking for my heart to be with His. "I'm present, Lord. I'm SO present. Exuberant bouncy delight fills my heart with the thought of being yours. ( I want a ) Deep romance with you, Father. Daddy, please open my heart to the songs of your heart. "

Still, this deep chest-set pain continues, because I want to be with her so much. Lord, I'll look to you this future, and my present. And this pain of loss, I'll offer to you on the alter of "your will be done", to be with you more. But, oh, how I want to be with her - and her to be her with you, even more than that.

Still you are teaching me the stillness of knowing you. Romance is giving oneself to the other, and so I'm giving myself to you. If you would coddle this little child, coddle me now. Renew my single-hearted devotion to you, forever.

This art is onto you, as I am onto you, Lord and giver of life! ( And, daddy, thank you for being close to her. Your promises keep, because you are unlike any other, God and Father.)

"I love God"

2009-06-18T22:43:00.008-07:00

I love God - for me to even say something like that seams strange. What could it possibly mean for me to love God. Furthermore, I'm no stranger to being angry or even hating God. I have unanswered questions about suffering and death. This world hasn't been nice to me, and I am a very "blessed" person. When I hear about the suffering of my friends or contemplate the typical life for the poor of this world, where is God?

Today at lunch I was thinking about suffering and injustice. In a short [lunch] break between the insanity of phone calls and anchor-bolts, steel plates, quick scribble calculations, I somehow found enough stillness to focus on some thoughts from the the 40th chapter of the book of Job. I didn't read much, but I read slowly.

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

I thought, "woah, that's right, I'd be silly to judge God" The book of Job has a special place in my heart. This world doesn't always make sense to me. But, I love being soft to God - a soft heart is a sort of humility that emanates with trust enough to say, "Ok, God, your ways instead of mine." Anyway, the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. I'm also learning that Jesus is my wisdom, understanding, and my righteous.

I'm not sure how I can say, "I love God." But it might have something to do with the experience of my ability to say to God, "I want (to want) your ways instead of mine."

This blog post was inspired in the midst of worship that I would highly recommend by Jonathan David Helser. Check him out!

Graffiti in South Berkeley

2009-06-16T20:20:00.006-07:00

Since I was about 8 years old, I've been attracted to the art called graffiti. As a little boy, I can remember starring at the motion-blurred freeway walls filled with colorful expressions on city walls and rail cars. Fortunately my brother, a wildly talented painter shared my enthusiasm for this art. When we drove to NYC, the opportunity to see the graffiti as significant to me than any other sensual (non-sexual) city experience. At 28, I'm still a graffiti enthralled kid. So, pictured above is an piece that I found in South Berkeley.

first doodle

2009-06-05T12:02:00.009-07:00

Every once in a while, I create little doodles while I'm on the phone at work. This one says: "I'm the first one on Dachille's blog!" - Woooh.

lost+found in the art school stash

2009-05-06T22:58:00.002-07:00

2009-05-02T21:53:00.002-07:00

The frame of this painting is crooked. So, responding to this crookedness, I sought to make an image that was also crooked. But, this is about as far as I can get with a painting.

2009-04-27T14:07:00.005-07:00

Barbara Becker Dachille
17 May 1945 - 13 November 1994

This painting is also dated '93. Inside, part of me is crying. Light from the lamp curves in a way reminiscent of the lamp light pictured in a bedtime story book we read when I was young. Simple is celebrated, and this is life. The animals are waiting for peace, as a thunderstorm passes over the house. Painted in a cancer toned war-zone, a golden vessel of hope, can still be seen to the lower right of the painting.

This work by Barbara Becker Dachille is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

2009-04-27T13:39:00.007-07:00

Barbara Becker Dachille
17 May 1945 - 13 November 1994

This painting was dated '93. I was twelve. I LOVE the little mouse in the lower right hand corner. My mom was onto something when she painted this one. Tyler, my cat, was the model.

This work by Barbara Becker Dachille is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

on the streets of seattle

2009-04-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

Primiti Too Taa

2009-04-19T15:21:00.001-07:00

just. fun.

Primiti Too Taa - an excerpt from the poem "Ursonate" (Sonata in primitive sounds) by Kurt Schwitters (1887-1948) Produced and Directed by Ed Ackerman and Colin Morton

on seeing god

2009-04-16T00:16:00.002-07:00

By Megan Risley and Mark Dachille

Poetry and artwork is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Station of the Cross no.8

2009-04-09T23:41:00.003-07:00

8. Jesus is nailed to the cross [John 19.18; Mt 27.37-38; Ps 44.4-5, 17-19]

John 19:18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Matt. 27:37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

Psa. 44:4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. 5 Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes.

Psa. 44:17 All this happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant. 18 Our hearts had not turned back; our feet had not strayed from your path. 19 But you crushed us and made us a haunt for jackals and covered us over with deep darkness.

your FACE is stuck

2009-04-04T02:15:00.002-07:00

I tried to cause my face to be permanently stuck like this, but it didn't work. My kindergarten teacher was wrong!

( what's in your back yard :P )

2009-03-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

typical mountain scape

2009-02-20T00:36:00.002-08:00

2/16/09 , I took this photo from my front yard. Phinny ridge, my Seattle neighborhood, has beautiful view of the Olympic mountains.

in a world of symbolism

2009-02-16T23:19:00.009-08:00

the thoughts of a poet

2009-01-19T23:23:00.003-08:00

Christa's birthday card

2009-01-12T12:15:00.003-08:00

This poem and 5 frogs made the inside of a birthday card for a friend of ours. Megan provided the words, naturally.

5 Frogs: A Birthday Card for Christa by Megan Risley and Mark Dachille is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

route 15

2009-01-10T12:20:00.003-08:00

She was sitting across from me in the back of the bus. I think this drawing took about 5 minutes: the time that it took for us to go from NW Leary Way to about NW 53rd St. It's not a very impressive sketch, but something clicked when I drew it. Before I drew her, I drew a woman sitting to my right and the two men sitting beside her. Later this evening Megan and I watched a film with my roommate and his girlfriend on Andy Goldsworthy. Although, Goldsworthy's art is very different from mine, I saw many parallels in our art-making processes. Goldsworth is a pioneer and leader; he does very impressive work.

route 18

2009-01-10T11:56:00.000-08:00

2008-10-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

Lovely

2008-10-27T00:34:00.000-07:00

This is a quick sketch of my girlfriend. She is very lovely when she sleeps.

2008-10-26T00:29:00.002-07:00

route 5

2008-10-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

6:30 pm on a crowded bus, I sat slightly hunched and with my bag on my lap. Bump. I'm sketching and averting occasional glances of the few that notice my scribing.

( I've been learning to use my new wacom tablet for digital painting.)

Enjoy.

riding the no. 5

2008-10-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

no. It's not blood. I just wanted red.

ABKJ Life: Another Hand

2008-10-05T02:21:00.001-07:00

ABKJ Life.

2008-10-01T23:07:00.000-07:00

on the bus.

2008-10-01T22:56:00.001-07:00

My Lovely Girl

2008-10-01T22:50:00.001-07:00

ABKJ Life: Hand, TYP

2008-09-30T19:26:00.001-07:00

I work as an engineer. Today, my brain was busy doing everything but engineering. Before I knew what was happening, my hand created this structural sketch, just before the end of lunch.

"The Painting Picture"

2008-07-19T11:05:00.002-07:00

Last week, my girlfriend noticed a picture of my mom on my bookshelf. Later that week, the picture she saw inspired the creation a short reflection, and I shivered to its veracity when she read it to me:

This woman is a house fire, and it’s painted all over in oil (or something) on canvas. She’s looking at me from probably twenty years ago like she knows how to live forever, and she creates as if she already has. She’s a painter, of course, and a cancer patient. Her heart spilled out in a big enough way to necessitate two pairs of arms – the other being those of the receiver of this castle-on-a-hill gift – to hold it up in a picture for which, apparently, neither were prepared. But, she’s still looking right through the lens, through the photographer’s eye into the future.

I’ve seen her son make this look with eyes that could only she could have passed down…she’s still alive! You look at this picture, or her son, and you’ve seen the creation of the world. She looks like a fighter, too. Not in the dive bombers of the Second World War kind of way – thought she was born like victory the year it ended. No, in the way that flowers fight for spring in the dying of winter.

She may be thinking in this picture that she’s dying of cancer but what’s really happening is that she’s pouring her life out people, over canvases, over years and into transformation. And she’s won. She’s won the big slope of the sky and the soupy pool of sun, and probably the ability to see much beyond. So much beyond, in fact, that a bit of her vision that blasted me from the picture has seeped from the sloppy froth of what’s past into what I hope for as my future.

M.N. Risley

July 9, 2008

Thank you, my beautiful girl, thank you.

Thursday Duck

2008-04-03T21:10:00.000-07:00

Community Lenten Art

2008-03-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

winter of my heart '08

2008-03-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

Chebagogo flyer

2008-03-15T23:14:00.001-07:00

Today, I worked on a this promotional flyer to help with a fund-raising dinner benefiting the Chebagogo foundation.

a moment in history

2008-03-09T18:59:00.000-07:00

This is a prayer that I wrote in this blog several years ago. I like it enough to re-post it here, again. Enjoy.

I want to be yours. Simply yours. I want to be to you, simply an offering, a prayer, a moment in history which belongs to you. I cannot live without assurance of my identity. I surrender my soul to your throne. Jesus. Suffering King. Personable King. Preserving King. King of the Moments. King of infinity. King of the dark forests and the tribes of birds of fleeting colors. King forever, forgive me for disobeying . Forgive me for fighting against your kingdom. As I former traitor, tonight, I offer my body to you. You who are full of mercy, teach me to be consistent. A voice of confidence, that trembles the victory that you won. Please shower me with your forgiveness and a new sense of hope. I want to be your moment in history.... Jesus, connect to me.

2008-03-09T18:46:00.000-07:00

Prayer

2008-03-07T12:16:00.001-08:00

2008-03-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

2008-01-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

excuse me, tonight this is me.

2007-12-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

This my face with a lucian freud pallet. It's crooked. And I'm confused most of the time. When I look in a mirror, who is looking back at me? What am I?

@ Wegmans

2007-11-17T13:29:00.000-08:00