When the work takes over, then the artist is enabled to get out of the way, not to interfere. When the work takes over, then the artist listens.

Basically there can be no categories such as 'religious' art and 'secular' art, because all true art is incarnational, and therefore 'religious.

Art is communication.

The figure in the icon is not meant to represent literally what Peter or John or any of the apostles looked like, or what Mary looked like, nor the child, Jesus. But, the orthodox painter feels, Jesus of Nazareth did not walk around Galilee faceless. The icon of Jesus may not look like the man Jesus two thousand years ago, but it represents some *quality* of Jesus, or his mother, or his followers, and so becomes an open window through which we can be given a new glimpse of the love of God.

Reading about the response of people in stories, plays, poems, helps us to respond more courageously and openly at our own moments of turning.

Getting out of the way and listening is not something that comes easily, either in art or in prayer.

Creativity is a way of living life, no matter what our vocation, or how we earn our living. Creativity is not limited to the arts...

In art, either as creators or participators, we are helped to remember some of the glorious things we have forgotten, and some of the terrible things we were asked to endure...

For an artist is not a consumer, as our commercials urge us to be. An artist is a nourisher and a creator who knows that during the act of creation there is collaboration. We do not create alone.