Artistic Alchemy

Zusatztext

Bazyn's poems seek to encourage Christians of all stripes to present a new song unto the Lord--by actual example and useful advice. All sorts of issues relating to creativity are touched upon, whether theological, psychological, sociological, philosophical, linguistic, or autobiographical.Among the topics covered: finding your own voice; reading widely and deeply in the classics; being spare, concise in your style; discovering your genuine self beneath its assorted masks; taking occasional flights of fantasy; considering your mind as a house of memory; perfecting your art, even in a miniature way.Celebrating your mentors--among the authors are Dickinson, Donne, and Hafez; reflecting on your past by looking at old photographs; drawing inspiration from home and family; not allowing overly critical editors to stifle your creativity; recognizing that the artistic life may be a lonely and perilous journey toward fulfillment; seeking after God's will in all that you do; never being afraid to head into deeper waters; acknowledging that we are, at best, half-converted souls.Black-and-white photos by the author illumine the themes of these pieces. Also, there is a bibliography of recommended readings on creativity. Go, and find your voice; then let it rise up to the Lord night and day.

Autorenportrait

Ken Bazyn is long-time editorial director of Religious Book Club. He has written<i>The Seven Perennial Sins and Their Offspring</i> and<i>Soul-Wrestling: Meditations in Monochrome</i>. His articles have been published in forty periodicals, from<i>Commonweal</i> to<i>Dialog</i>, and his photographs have appeared in forty-five magazines. Bazyns two previous books of poetry are<i>Gospel Midrashim: Poems on the Life of Jesus</i> and<i>Jesting Angels: God's Lighter Side</i>; his poems have appeared in sixteen little magazines.<br>

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