By Emilie Bouvier
When I lead art workshops with faith groups, one of my favorite activities is to use the Creation image from the Art of the Saint John’s Bible as our launching point. It is such a layered and captivating piece, and I always start by observing the intricate details – from geometric fractals to strands of DNA, from delicate constellations to wood cut stamps of fish.
After guiding the group in a visio divina exploring the image, I introduce the concept of what we’re looking at – an “illuminated manuscript.” This is the core concept to the Saint John’s Bible, a contemporary revisiting of the medieval monastic practice of handwriting the scriptures and incorporating “illuminated” illustrations alongside the text as spiritual and theological practice. “Illuminations” are characterized by carefully adding goal leaf throughout the designs to signify God’ presence. Shimmering, reflective, and precious, the gold marks the sacred and draws the viewer’s eye to it. “Now look again,” I’d say. “Where do you see God’s presence stirring in the story?”
“I have long been interesting on reflecting on art making as a spiritual practice.”
Then, no matter what art medium I happen to be teaching the group that day, it will somehow involve gold paint. First, of course, we’ll do the image-making – usually photography, printmaking, or collage – and then go back over the image to trace outlines and layer new patterns in gold. This simple practice quickly becomes a holy time. Paintbrush or marker in-hand, these traces become a tangible way to invite God’s presence, to listen quietly, to discern, and to name in shimmering reflections where God is at work.
I’VE BEEN YEARNING for this in my own life these days – a spiritual practice of reflection and invitation. And when life feels filled up with screens and schedules, I find myself longing for the tactile beauty of art supplies and a tiny window of quiet time. It always amazes me how just a few moments of prayer-filled creating can hold space for wonder, longing, and gratitude.
I have long been interested in reflecting on art making as a spiritual practice. I was recently honored to receive a show at Hopkins Center for the Arts in the Redeppening Gallery. Preparing a new body of work for this exhibition will be the heart of my summer creative time. I truly cannot wait for schedule flexibility to have long hours of solitude in the studio that are a spiritual respite and balm for my soul.
“When life feels filled up with screens and schedules, I find myself longing for the tactile beauty of art supplies and a tiny window of quiet time.”
Unlike prior shows, however, this time I have felt a tug to practice what I preach and bring on the gold paint. Alongside my traditional framed prints, I will be working on several sculptural pieces that incorporate this process – which I hope will hold me to the same kind of reflection, openness, and spiritual centering that I’ve asked of my workshop participants over the years. I’m especially excited about a concept for creating semi-transparent hanging banners that involve a slow process of paper transfer, wax layering, and tracing with gold ink. I know that as I spend time away creating, that I need this kind of spiritual practice more than ever – to slow me down and tether me to inviting and tracing God’s stirring.
Whether it involves returning to a creative practice or simply pausing to marvel at the beauty of spring’s arrival, I invite you to do the same. May the glimmers of gold, however they find you, draw you to God’s presence this day and in the weeks to come.
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PS – if you’re curious to see how my visual reflections turn out, I invite you to come visit my art exhibition at Hopkins Center for the Arts! The opening will be on Thursday, August 1, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., and I’d love to see you there. The show will also be available during gallery hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.) from August 1 – September 7.