Education
- MS – Experiential Education, Minnesota State University
- BFA – Studio Art, Minnesota State University
- AA – Bethany Lutheran College
Research
I’m developing an emerging system of Studio Art apprenticeship in the Bethany classroom and beyond. Inspired by the workshops of Gothic cathedrals and traditional Japanese craft, I hope to reclaim proven systems of art education for today’s creative Christian. We’re building bridges between Christian ministries and young artists by facilitating commissioned artworks. We collaborate with local artists, fabricators, alumni, and consultants in our campus studios and at satellite locations. Clients receive one-of-a-kind, hand-made artworks with carefully crafted themes. The making of these professional projects can span beyond semesters or years, but also serve as an enduring silent testimony influencing future generations. The Art Service engages Bethany students across disciplines with skills in Studio Art, Arts Administration, Business, and Communications.
Since 1999, I’ve produced over 100 solo commissions regionally and nationwide in paint, cast stone, bronze, animation, motion graphics, and illustration. Though I’ve worked in a variety of topics, I specialize in visualizing Christian themes. Mixing respect with boldness, I produce fresh perspectives on timeless truths.
Service
Executive Director of the Christ in Media Institute
The Christ in Media Institute, empowered by the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ, promotes research and education focused on employing God’s gift of mass media to bring the pure Gospel message to vast audiences both in the US and abroad.
Presentations/Publications
- Host of “Whistle the Feast” – A conversational podcast series dedicated to attention and appreciation. Bethany students, faculty and staff are often featured guests. https://whistlethefeastpodcast.buzzsprout.com/
- Host of “The Process” – A series of videos sharing my artistic materials, methods, and motives.
- Frequent presenter at WELS National Worship Conference.
- Art-Direction for WELS International Sunday School Illustrations – supporting Zambia and Vietnam missions with Bethany art students and associates.
- Frequent presenter for Hearts and Hands Conference.
- Illustrator – A Mighty Fortress, Martin Luther-Kloria Press
- Illustrator – Stars in the Sky, Haley Blauert-Wiseink Press
- Illustrator – What’s Big Starts Small, Mike Novotny-Time of Grace Ministries
- Wanda Gag monument – New Ulm Library
- ELS Military Monument – Bethany Lutheran College
- Architectural sculptures on civic, educational, and religious structures nationwide.
- Illustrations and branding for packaging, merch, projections, and worship materials for Koine’ and Koine’ Worship Media.
Teaching Philosophy
- Actions express priorities.
- Your brain extends to your fingertips.
- People are bigger on the inside.
- Attention might be everything.
- Discover what God has given you.
- Grace is wild.
Additional Campus Responsibilities
- Exhibition Coordinator
- Art Service Director
- Christ in Media Executive Director
- Summer Art Camp
Biography
I’ve been producing a diverse portfolio of art since something like 1999. It’s hard to know when to start counting. My creative work includes public monuments, painted murals, woodblock prints, Japanese ink paintings, sand animations, illustrations, motion graphics, and stacks of sketchbooks. Nobody really knows all of it.
My approach to creativity is often slow-moving and iterative so I’m surprised to look back on a substantial portfolio. It’s all accumulated by God’s grace and consistent, incremental gains.
Despite crossing into varied materials and methods, my portfolio has a consistent strain towards internalized Christian themes. I try to wrestle invisible qualities of the Christian faith into stimulating visuals for renewed contemplation. I do this because I believe actions express priorities, because the visible refers to the invisible. I make Christian art because I’m documenting my attention.
I have been constantly surprised to be has be an art educator for 25 years. It was never my intention, but I gradually understand God’s reasons. Teaching and mentoring has positioned me to improve the situation for young creatives. It’s a confusing calling to be an artist, but God slides people into one another’s lives to clarify and encourage. It all takes courage.
With time I’ve understood that making artwork is fruitful, but teaching artists is like planting an orchard. My steady urge to manipulate matter into meaning can become exponentially productive with friends.
Now I see more clearly the influence of my own role models, marvel at decades of former students, delight in my current creative community, and make plans to support unborn generations.