“Art is my contribution, small as it is,” Michael Cook said during our conversation with him. Michael is an artist and friend of ours from Derbyshire in England. He is warmhearted, very thoughtful, and tuned-in to the world around him. His art and writing are both sensitive and moving, filled with timeless depth. We shared this special moment with Michael, speaking to us from his studio—where you can see a sketch of a unicorn on his drafting table.
In this episode, we meditate on three pieces of his art (see below); and we hope you will be encouraged and inspired by our discussion. Be sure to visit Michael’s website http://www.hallowed-art.co.uk/, and if you’re on the island, visit The Manger Gallery, where you can see his work and say hello. His website has many wonderful pieces of art, either for purchase or perusal, including “Reaching Towards,” which is his artist’s journal from his time as Artist in Residence at The Community of the Resurrection.
Be sure to take a look at both the artwork and chapter headings below to see the ground we cover—and take a much, much longer look at the artwork! You can order a copy of the book Michael illustrated, “The Locust Years,” written by Paul Pastor, here.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 10:12 The Influence of Henri Nouwen 20:14 Art as a Reflection of Spirituality 29:45 Exploring the Nature of Weakness in Art 39:50 The Significance of Place in Creative Work 40:50 Artistic Composition and Symbolism 46:07 The Fragility of Existence: Eggs and Nests 49:52 The Role of Trees and Nature in Art 56:38 The Influence of Literature and Storytelling 01:10:11 Contemporary Art and Its Impact on Creativity
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