Jim Janknegt's Blog (9)

The Catholic Diocese of Austin, with St. Edward’s University, would like to invite artists to participate in its twelfth show, Celebrating Sacred Art 2009 – Expressions of Family. Although not a requirement, we encourage artists to create one piece to exhibit that has a family (Holy Family, nuclear family, faith family, etc.) theme. If a finished piece is not possible with this short notice, perhaps a sketch of a proposed family themed project could be included. All artists, new as well as those… Continue

I finished a painting over the weekend: A Little Leaven based on the parable found in Matthew 13:33 "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." I did this as a commission for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. If the scheduling works out I may be heading to Nashville for the presentation of the painting to the church. Any suggestions… Continue

I finished two paintings over the weekend. The two paintings actually make up a unit, not exactly a diptyich as they are meant to hang one over the other. The top painting depicts Jesus carrying his cross down a deserted, urban street. The painting is a commentary on how consumerism hinders our acceptance of the suffering and and need… Continue

I had the privilege of doing a commission for John and Rebecca (formerly Haskins) Hand for their wedding. The painting was included in their nuptial mass. They choose the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth as the subject along with the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on either side. The mass fell on the feast of the visitation. The center panel was placed up in the front of the church and the two side panels w… Continue

The reJesus website finally put up the documentary of how I made the Rich Fool painting. There are various images of the painting and five videos of me talking about the creative process of making a painting. Check it out here. Continue

Doug Jaques is having an exhibit of new work at the Davis Gallery with an opening this Saturday, 12 April 2008. I'm not sure of the time but I am hoping to attend. How about you? Continue

I was recently contacted by a gallery from another part of the country. I had seen their web sight a week or so earlier and they seemed to be a real, professional gallery selling art work done by Christians. I recognized many of the folks in their stable of artists. They were interested in my work and asked for some examples. So I sent them 5 or 6 images of my work over the last 10 years or so. They responded wondering how my work h… Continue

I was talking with a friend about the Gospel reading that was read yesterday. It was the story of the two men on the road to Emmaus who meet Jesus post-resurrection. The part that jumped out at me was: And he (Jesus) said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the th… Continue

The Symposium was good. My overall take on it: the church and artists have a monumental task in front of them to reintegrate art and religion. It is going to be very difficult and take a long time and require many sacrifices. In some ways I feel overwhelmed but I just have to remind myself to take it one day at a time. The Plenary speakers: Andy Crouch’s made us aware that the church has used art for it’s own pragmatic purposes. He tried to reassure us that art does not have to be useful. I un… Continue