Hello, everyone! It’s been quite awhile since I’ve done anything. At the moment, my family and I are focusing on upgrades to our home and moving out of state, where I hope to have adequate space to do future work.
Thank you for your continued support!
Emily
Back in March 2020, literally a week before the nation shut down due to COVID19, I did one more Worship night with my home church Bridgeway Christian Church. We were working through a series called “The Year of Connecting with God” and in that time frame of lessons, we were focused on Connecting with God. I wanted to illustrate something powerful, something visually tangible. And so, the results are below.
Last year, my church, Bridgeway Christian Church, focused on a series of sermons that included the Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven. Our artist group was asked to illustrate during the series and last October, I was blessed to pick Matthew 13:44-46. With everything that has been going on this year, I didn’t finish up the final steps until this week and it now is hanging up in my Livingroom.
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
We’re studying the Book of Habakkuk of the Old Testament in my church and when I read the upcoming themes/versus scheduled on the calendar for our group of painters to participate and illustrate, I paused, held my breath and there it was, on the page, “Creator Confusion” and I was pinged. I knew that I was being called upon my talents once again. An image had been pulling at me, in my mind for quite awhile, but it just never seemed to fit, timing was off, it just wasn’t the right image for whatever theme we were embarking on, so I shoved it to the “back burner” and waited… but then, as I read, I knew why and I acted on it.
Habakkuk 2:18-20. The prophet, angry, confused regarding the disarray of the corrupt world around him. He rages at God, but God knows what was going on. He always does. He is the ultimate creator, he has all authority over the world. We are reminded that we are to serve God. He has the world in his hands.
The beginning of the process in making this piece started like all the others. I started with a photo, I edited it in software, and I made a full-size pattern. I then printed a black and white reverse image and began tracing and cutting puzzle pieces out of it, fusing them to a fabric.
Slowly, I pinned the pieces on a canvas as the image came together and the process took about a month to complete. If you get a chance to look at this piece in person at Bridgeway Christian Church, look closely at the hands in this piece, and you will see hidden words. (In the white portions.)
Progression Photos during the design phase.
Detail of how I mark the piece for reassembling in front of live audience.
Progression Photos during services and detail.
Detail photos once fused and finished.
This weekend, Saturday, May 5th at 4pm & 6pm, Sunday, May 6th at 9am & 11am, I will be Live Painting (#ipaintwithfabric) on stage for worship & sermon. Even if you don’t call Bridgeway Christian Church home, come join us as a guest and watch the magic happen live. After the service, you’re welcome to come up and take a peek up close and personal. Hope to see you there!
I am excited to announce I have a new added domain name: emilyeasley.art. My old domain (faithinfiber.com) has expired and at the time I purchased it, all the usual tags (such as emilyeasley.com) were taken. But now, domain registrations have opened up to a wide range of possibilities and not limited to just the usual .com, .net, or .org that we’re accustomed too. So, I purchased a new domain that I hope to utilize in the future and slowly migrate all my branding over to. Nothing really is changing, same artist, same fiber art, same site, just a new addition and I thought, how cool is that to have my name with a dot art tag! (Makes sense, right!?!).
I also would like to announce that I have a new Live “Painting” session coming up for Bridgeway Christian Church on May 5 & 6. You won’t want to miss it! I hope you can join us!
Love to all and many blessings!
Emily Easley
Fiber Artist
Several months ago my church, Bridgeway Christian Church, was working their way through the book of Judges, and as I sat listening and studying Deborah from this book, I couldn’t get the image of a woman dancing and an urgency to portray The Song of Deborah (Read Judges 5). However, at the time, I was focused on another project for another sermon, so I put the image aside because it just didn’t fit with the timing.
Now, fast forward to about two months ago, the artist ministry group for which I belong to, passed out an updated schedule of Live Painting opportunities and I choose one in the rotation. (Live Painting is a phrase we’ve coined, and it just means that an artist- usually a painter- is painting on stage during worship and sermon before a live audience. I “paint” with fabric.) As the time approached, the theme of the sermon shifted to worship, and it struck me that this was where “my dancer” would come to fruition. Our Pastor focused on a phenomenal lesson on the different ways we worship, how important worship is and how we all connect to God in a variety of ways.
It was an incredible weekend. I had so many people come and speak to me regarding my dancer and how it spoke to them and amazing emotional connections. There was even a moment while I was on stage, pinning away, I got teary eyed because I could feel the percussion climb up through my feet into my chest from the music and I could sense the movement of dancers behind me. Words can not portray adequately how this moment was pure and heartfelt throughout the room.
And you might be asking, what does painting have to do with worship? For me, it’s an outward visual expression. Most of the artists in my group would pretty much agree that we see ourselves as a visual tool and often try to represent or visually respond to Scripture. When I read the bible, I often see pictures, colors, images flash across my brain. What better way to depict worship than a free spirited woman dancing in praise? She’s in motion with God. Her dress is light with encouraging words from Ecclesiastes 3 wrapped around her. Her hand stretched outward to the heavens. That is the rhythm of God.
It’s now officially summer, and that means a few weeks to slow down and spend time with my family. I’ve had a very busy year and haven’t been able to focus much on my art. However, next year, my youngest is finally entering Kindergarten, and that means, Mama finally will have some time to herself! And I didn’t hesitate for long…
I started Bible Journaling about a week ago and posted photos of my pages on my Instagram and Facebook page. I’ve had a couple of people ask me about it. “Bible Journaling? What is it?” Bible Journaling is something that is becoming a hot trend right now, but in actuality, it’s been around for a long time. People have been doodling in the margins or empty spaces in their bibles forever. Some very quietly, some very elaborate. Many people scoff at it, and many love it. It’s a personal preference. However, today, there are dedicated bibles and coloring books made just for this purpose. I have two- a My Creative Bible (KJV) (Amazon) hardcover and an Inspire (NLT) paperback (Amazon). For me, it was a complete and natural act; I had no hesitation other than gathering supplies. And once I started, OFF I WENT. I have found that this has been the BEST method for me to stay on a reading plan, reflect and contemplate what is the message, what is this teaching me, and then respond visually to Scripture.
I also joined a Facebook group dedicated to Bible Journaling (there’s a beginners group too) which posts daily reading plans or verses or monthly schedules. I choose to go with the first one that popped up at the time, and the theme is “Wholeness through
Brokenness.” There are several monthly reading plans, even weekly plans, out there. I just happened to pick this one, and am sticking with it through the end. There is even a Women of the Bible theme, and I may attempt that one next- we’ll see what pops up for July. Currently, I see fellow “journal’ers” posting of their work to a Hope theme, but I haven’t figured out where they have gotten the schedule at yet. lol.
So, for the next month, watch my Instagram or Facebook pages, because they are my most active accounts and I’ll post something each day. 😉
I am happy to report that Take My Hand was sold!
Take My Hand (2016)
When I create art, I don’t look to explain the art or image. I leave that to you the viewer. But I ask you if your heart is heavy if you feel as though your drifting underwater (even if it’s just for a day) look up “Oh, ye of little faith.” (Matthew 14:31) There in the murkiness of life is Jesus above you with his outstretched hand, but it’s up to you to grasp hold.
Commercial cotton batiks and hand-dyed fabrics; fused raw edge appliqué on canvas.
36in. x 48in.
Emily Easley
www.faithinfiber.com
#emilyeasley #faithinfiber #jesus #fiberart #artquilt #takemyhand #bridgewaychristianchurch
I’ve been busy. I don’t get to do much in the way of art these days. With starting up a small soap business to taking care of my boys and volunteering my services for my quilt guild, life keeps me away from creating art. 2016 brought many challenges my way, but I’m hopeful that I can make 2017 more productive. I’ve already completed my first shawl about a week ago! This year, my goal is to finish some unfinished projects started in previous years!
My 20-year-old stepson, Austin, joined the US Air Force and is off on a plane to San Antonio, TX for boot camp. His future looks solidly promising and stable. It’s a new adventurous chapter for him, but an apprehensive one for his parents; however, I’m confident, he’ll be just fine.
This month has been tough already, sickness, weather, and other pesky critter problems; I hope to move on into February with a much better ending.
Emily Easley Art 