Category Archives: Ardell’s Art House

The Role of the Arts in the Vineyard by Scott McElroy

Scott McElroy is the author of "Finding the Divine Inspiration"
Scott McElroy is the author of "Finding the Divine Inspiration"

In an amazing display of timing, Tri Robinson published an article about the arts by Scott McElroy yesterday.

It is amazing because last night I was listening to an old VLI lecture on church history. In this lecture Steve Robbins mentioned how the worldview of a culture is changed through the arts.It is the movies, the music, the paintings and writings of the people that will guide and direct a culture.

Scott’s article about the role of the arts fits beautifully into this vein as he calls for a “New Renaissance“:

A movement to release prophetic, divinely inspired art in the church, and powerful spiritual art into the culture.

I would encourage everyone who reads this blog to go over there and read it as Scott has a powerful word for today.

Winter Is Here

I was slightly surprised this morning when I looked out the window for the fields where covered with a light dusting of frost and the mountains with snow. Em mentioned that this has been happening for a while – but I never get to see it as I leave for work before dawn every day.

The slight was so beautiful, I couldn’t help but take a picture to share you all. 😀

winter

Ardell's Art House: Exhibit #3

I took this picture a few miles north of my home in the foothills of mountains where the sage brush desert meets the pine trees of the high country.

Every time I look at this picture I lose my breath as I imagine the gentle touch of the cool mountain wind drifting up from the stream below. What a pleasure it would be to stay there forever?

[@more@]Blessed is the man
    who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
    or stand in the way of sinners
    or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
    and whose leaf does not wither.
    Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
     but the way of the wicked will perish.

-Psalms 1-41

Grand Opening: Ardell's Art House

I am opening an art house. Pure and simple.

The idea came to me as I was walking through the forest last weekend taking pictures of various floral and basically being sad at the prospect of not being able to share the photographs.

Then it hit me – I have a blog. (queue up the lighting bolt and 2×4)

As such, I am now opening "Ardell's Art House" with two installments this week and more to follow as I find time to crop, border and upload (read: "art pieces will come and go as time allows").


Title:

Kleinschmidt Grade Syringa

[@more@]
Artist Statement:

The Kleinschmidt Grade is a narrow, windy dirt road that drops a vertical mile into Hells Canyon. Once you leave the tree covered eastern rim, there is nothing but rock, sagebrush and space.

However, about halfway down the grade there is a small gorge brimming with life and fueled by the gentle trickle of a mountain side spring. It was along this gorge that I discovered the bright white Syringa flower blooming in the warm spring air.  

Maybe that is why the Syringa is Idaho's state flower – because it shows up in the most unlikely of places to give hope and beauty in an otherwise desolate land.