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Courage to Create: Unleashing Your Artistic Gifts for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness
You know God is urging you to use your creative gifts for his kingdom. But in a world that quantifies “success” by the fame and fortune that few artists achieve, how do you own your identity as an artist for Christ? In Courage to Create, host of Catholic TV’s “The Renaissance Room” Clare McCallan and her artist friends share their wisdom for overcoming common obstacles in the creative life to help you fulfill your artistic calling and truly serve the Lord.
Poet and performing artist Clare McCallan arrived in New York City determined to be one of the artists who “makes it.” She soon discovered, however, that there were hundreds of others just like eager, gifted, and broke. As she continued to ask God to help her become the writer she knew she could be, she noticed that her prayers were answered by other artists who started showing up in her life. Together, they created a supportive community for each other’s artistic vocations by transforming a dilapidated convent into the St. Joseph Home for Artisans. Through this experience, McCallan realized that what the world calls an artist and what God calls an artist are two different things.
In Courage to Create, McCallan and other Catholic artists highlight the crucial lessons they learned to help other aspiring Catholic creatives step into their birthright as artists made in the image of the Creator. McCallan weaves personal experiences and interviews to identify important principles that will help you create a satisfying life of creativity, community, and joy while bringing goodness, truth, and beauty into the world.
Each chapter introduces you to a member of her creative community with diverse artistic talents and backgrounds. Their stories serve as a source of hard-earned wisdom from people who have been where you are now, including
Connecticut House Representative and actress Treneé McGee, who discusses bringing the gift of truth to build bridges within your community Tanzanian journalist, producer, and TED Talk personality Queen Carberry Banda, who encourages you to unleash your inner child's freedom to move and play Oil painter and muralist Adam Moniz, who highlights the empowering effect of physical space in an artist's life Writer, abuse survivor, and Spirit Fire advocate Teresa Pitt Green, who explores the connection between art and restorative justice Designer and songwriter Molly Broekman, who shares the benefits of collaboration and mentorship Throughout these chapters, you’ll also find “Artist Moments,” which offer space for personal reflection on your own creative journey. By connecting your story with those who have walked before you, Courage to Create helps you to take courage and find solidarity in the growing movement of young people betting it all on their faith, gifts, and vocation.
Poet and performing artist Clare McCallan arrived in New York City determined to be one of the artists who “makes it.” She soon discovered, however, that there were hundreds of others just like eager, gifted, and broke. As she continued to ask God to help her become the writer she knew she could be, she noticed that her prayers were answered by other artists who started showing up in her life. Together, they created a supportive community for each other’s artistic vocations by transforming a dilapidated convent into the St. Joseph Home for Artisans. Through this experience, McCallan realized that what the world calls an artist and what God calls an artist are two different things.
In Courage to Create, McCallan and other Catholic artists highlight the crucial lessons they learned to help other aspiring Catholic creatives step into their birthright as artists made in the image of the Creator. McCallan weaves personal experiences and interviews to identify important principles that will help you create a satisfying life of creativity, community, and joy while bringing goodness, truth, and beauty into the world.
Each chapter introduces you to a member of her creative community with diverse artistic talents and backgrounds. Their stories serve as a source of hard-earned wisdom from people who have been where you are now, including
Connecticut House Representative and actress Treneé McGee, who discusses bringing the gift of truth to build bridges within your community Tanzanian journalist, producer, and TED Talk personality Queen Carberry Banda, who encourages you to unleash your inner child's freedom to move and play Oil painter and muralist Adam Moniz, who highlights the empowering effect of physical space in an artist's life Writer, abuse survivor, and Spirit Fire advocate Teresa Pitt Green, who explores the connection between art and restorative justice Designer and songwriter Molly Broekman, who shares the benefits of collaboration and mentorship Throughout these chapters, you’ll also find “Artist Moments,” which offer space for personal reflection on your own creative journey. By connecting your story with those who have walked before you, Courage to Create helps you to take courage and find solidarity in the growing movement of young people betting it all on their faith, gifts, and vocation.
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 19, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 28, 2024
"Courage to Create" by Clare McCallan is geared towards Catholic audiences for finding ways to be creative. As a non-Catholic Christian there were many ways I can see how the book can inspire me to look for ways to express my creativity and faith together and the book gives several suggestions. The author writes this as a memoir based on her own experiences with poetry and other writing as well as how she set up and runs a Catholic artist collective. She is clear on mistakes made, how she's grown from them and how she looks to correct those mistakes in future interactions.
The book has questions/challenges at the end of each chapter and a place to journal those answers. It's a nice way to contemplate ideas. She also has artist interviews where the artists each talk about their creativity journey. The book is applicable to artists of all types - writing, painting, drawing, film, clothing and other art types.
There are many encouraging bible verses sprinkled throughout the book. One chapter does talk about the process of art being similar to childbirth - the connection is written out but it might be a trigger for some that have had the loss of a child.
Overall the book gives some good food for thought for Christian artists and may be an encouragement to some that might be in the beginning of creating their art. For some that have been in their art journey for awhile, it might be a place to refuel. The book is short and easy to read .It can be done as a bible study or personal study.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ave Maria Press for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The book has questions/challenges at the end of each chapter and a place to journal those answers. It's a nice way to contemplate ideas. She also has artist interviews where the artists each talk about their creativity journey. The book is applicable to artists of all types - writing, painting, drawing, film, clothing and other art types.
There are many encouraging bible verses sprinkled throughout the book. One chapter does talk about the process of art being similar to childbirth - the connection is written out but it might be a trigger for some that have had the loss of a child.
Overall the book gives some good food for thought for Christian artists and may be an encouragement to some that might be in the beginning of creating their art. For some that have been in their art journey for awhile, it might be a place to refuel. The book is short and easy to read .It can be done as a bible study or personal study.
Thank you to Netgalley and Ave Maria Press for the opportunity to review an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 2, 2024
I'm one of those people who's written myself off as "just not artsy," limited to coloring books and maybe nice penmanship. Clare challenges such limiting beliefs in the best way, reminding us all that in an increasingly artificial world, we o ever. I have the privilege of knowing several artists featured in these pages, and their creative geniuses are as inspiring as they are unique! I love the interactive elements of the book as well, and can't wait to see all the art it inspires!
May 10, 2025
The integration of the faith that I felt was crucially missing from the artists way with deeper insights into creation and identity as an artist. It is my go to source to get out of my creative ruts time and time again.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews