I now know why people read on the London Underground. At first, it was beyond me how ANYone had time to relax when I constantly seemed to be rearranging my guitar and backpack to make room for more commuters and Olympic Games-goers, frantically checking to make sure I hadn't missed a transfer, etc.

Now that my routine has become much more familiar, I found myself the other day, fully engrossed in the Catcher in the Rye. What happened to me? My trip flew by at breakneck speed and soon I was at my stop, Canary Wharf, in the Docklands. I am becoming quite acquainted with London town.

Catching Up.

My first couple of weeks here were...challenging. Running a pop-up cafe in an old factory sounds breezy enough, but combined with performing, attending seminars, and assisting other staff, it left my life rather packed. I heard from amazing international speakers who challenged me as an artist in ways I've honestly never been challenged before. My favorites of which were Vishal Mangalwadi, an Indian philosopher, and Eleanor Cardozo, a bronze sculptor.



One of the recurring themes from both speakers was the absence of beauty in modern art of today. Damien Hirst, one of the leading British artists of today, is currently being hailed as a revolutionary artistic wonder for his exhibition on death at the Tate Modern Museum in London.

Pick A Pocket, a team of artists from YWAM Herrnhut, Germany who transformed the factory space into a gallery.

 One of many international performances, this being a Korean fan dance.

Sarah Hall, one of the visual artists, painting a mural in the factory as her installation for the festival.











Why don't all Christian artists TRY to be the best in their field? Why don't I? It isn't self-seeking if my aim to begin with is obtaining the glory in order to hand it back to God.
John 17 explains far better than I.

Jesus said: "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you....
I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory I had with you before the world existed." (vs. 2, 4-5)

I have let fear stop me I think. Oh fear. Its a sneaky thing.

 One of the themes of festival were doors and keys signifying all of the possibilities God wants to open for us as artists.

This beauty just shouts "freedom."

 

These pieces were both painted during worship. These canvases and doors were repainted every day as God led.

 

 

 

 

 

 Driving on the Right Side. 

I hear so many Americans complain about Brits driving on the "wrong side." It is confusing and sometimes life-threatening, but no one should complain unless they are a born and bred American who has been thrown into the position of driving around one of the largest cities in Europe, and the world, in a big white van.

Yes, that was me. On my first day I smashed my left mirror into a brand new, custom painted Land Rover. Since then, I have driven without a hitch! (yes it was traumatic, but God has provided).

Not only did shifting with the left hand take some getting used to, but the drivers themselves proved to be the greatest challenge of all along with lanes fit for Munchkinland. 

I am now quite good at wheeling around London transporting drum sets and giant canvases. Who would have thought?

The Dream. A Prologue.

Performing all over London as a musician through More Than Gold has been quite the adventure. Living in Christ is living in FULLNESS. In my life, I have seen God grant me so many of my dreams before Ive even had time to dream them!
 He ENJOYS granting us our dreams.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
To Be Continued...

There is, of course, so much more to say, but everyone knows that no one actually READS long blog posts. So until next time.