Painting
I can’t paint or draw. I wish I could and I love it when my wife and daughters do, but I can’t. I took drafting for two years in high school and I think straightedge and ruler is about the extent of my capability in that direction. But I do admire art. A lot. I’ve visited the Getty in LA and the Art Museum here in Chicago and could have spent all day staring at some of the paintings. I have the same problem with poetry. Wish I could do it, love reading it well done, am pathetic on my own.
So I came across a link to an article by Joe Carter [1] at First Things about Thomas Kinkade “Painter of Light™” and I stopped to read. Glad I did. There are many evangelicals who love Kinkade “Painter of Light™” and others who can’t stand his stuff. Here I must admit one of my weaknesses. Years ago I saw some of Kinkade’s “Painter of Light™” stuff and thought it was nice. I didn’t fell compelled to whip out the MasterCard and slap down the big bucks but I was positively disposed to it. I didn’t think too critically about it and it was “Christian” and popular. After I saw more and more of his work I rather soured on it. Just not my kind of work. I think I can be easily initially swayed but I’m glad I don’t give in too easily.
So that brings me to Joe Carter’s piece. At first I thought it would be a slam on Kinkade “Painter of Light™” but you really need to read it. Joe is amazingly fair and critical. I don’t want to give too much away but Kinkade “Painter of Light™” isn’t the hack he is sometime pictured as by his detractors. Joe also, I think, helps vindicate my initial reaction. I hope so anyway.
‘n Stuff
I came across this video last week and really appriciated it. I think classical music is wonderful and wish more people would slow down to listen. When I catch it, I always appriciate Exploring Music [2]with Bill McGlaughlin on NPR because Bill doesn’t look down his nose, pronounce this piece beautiful and make you feel like a dope if you don’t get it. He walks you through what’s going on and explains what you’re hearing.
So anyway, here [3]‘s the video. Take the time to watch all of it, you may find out that you like classical music too!