World Vision recognizes the power of visual art as a way to communicate, which knows no boundaries across cultures, languages, and worldviews.  It can communicate the need to respond to child sponsorship, real-life issues of extreme poverty and social injustice, the global sex trade, or the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Visual art can inspire – and yes, even cast a vision of hope.

That’s why The Art of Helping Others has joined World Vision’s artist affiliate program, to invite visual artists, photographers and others in the visual arts to join this creative collective – to participate in group thematic exhibits and other events that advocate child sponsorship and ultimately, practice the art of helping others.  It will be a brilliant way for artists to show and sell their work, and help those that lack the ability or opportunity to help themselves in communities worldwide.

Perhaps you are or know of a visual artist or photographer that would be interested in learning more about what we plan to do and would want to get involved.  If so, invite them to connect with me at douglas@theartofhelpingothers.com for more information.

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What’s the largest U.S. based international relief and development organization?  Save the Children, CARE?  While both are great mainstream humanitarian organizations, it’s World Vision, a Seattle-based Christian organization, which has 40,000 staff members in almost 100 countries – more staff than Save the Children, CARE and the United States Agency for International Development – combined.

The article also includes quotes from the head of World Vision, Richard Stearns book, “The Hole in Our Gospel” and other insights from columnist Nichols Kristof.  I want to encourage you to read the article and post your comments here. The Art of Helping Others: Art. Awareness. Activism.

Earlier this month, The Art of Helping Others website was voted #46 of the top 100 sites

Nonetheless, we thought we’d share links to some of our more conversational topics for your perusal and comments.

Painting by Faith not Sight

Silence is the Real Crime Against Humanity

Defining Your Art

All Art is an Apprenticeship

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Never one to mince words, Amos Ferguson always pointed out that God gave him the talent to paint, and that he painted only through God.  Amos didn’t paint what he saw, but what he dreamed.

So, what do I takeaway from Ferguson’s thinking on faith?  That faith doesn’t have to be safe, nor was it intended to be; instead it can and should have a sense of loving recklessness.  If we don’t leap – we don’t learn.

The artist’ job is to show up at the canvas and paint, to show up at the page and write, to eavesdrop on the conversation and create by faith – so ultimately, we can see.

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Not only is the packing and shipping included in your purchase price, but 25% of the net proceed goes to World Vision programs that support micro-loans, the fight against human trafficking, social injustice and extreme poverty.  Click here to view available original art.

Happy Holidays and thanks for practicing the art of helping others!

Why so inquisitive?  Well – it intrigues me to know what it is that other artists do, how you might define your own art, and even your approach to the creative process.

I really want to encourage you to share your thoughts on this.

My guess is when we look back through the posted comments; they’ll reveal a descriptive array of thinking that resembles an ornate fabric of creative diversity woven together, which reflects what inspires us to do what we do.

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I think painters and writers have a lot in common, maybe more than they think or have thought of.

A painting is like a story that captures our imagination, drawing us into a place filled with wonder and a sense of expectation.  Painting, perhaps even story is never really finished – it just stops in interesting places.  And while we share this commonality, it seems that all art is an ongoing apprenticeship and that the bigger picture of art really is life, and our lives.

Leo Tolstoy said that it’s within our power either to serve God or not to serve him.  By serving him, we add to our own good and the good of the whole world.  Not serving him, we forfeit our own good and deprive the world of that good, which was in our power to create.

Like art, life is an apprenticeship.  That which we learn and put into practice is what truly matters.  The bigger question is whether we will seize those moments, adding to the good of the world around us, or forfeit those opportunities only to leave us all the more impoverished in spirit.

Visit our online merchandise store at Zazzle for coffee mugs, T-shirts, hats and other cool products or purchase our hardcover book through Blurb as a great holiday gift.

Remember; up to 25% of the net proceed from sales benefit International Justice Mission, which secures justice for children exploited in the global commercial sex trade and World Vision, which tackles the issues of extreme poverty and injustice.

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When you think of negative spaces what comes to mind?  Cynicism, criticism, pessimism – a lot of “isms?”

I like to step to the side for an oblique perspective and think of negative space like a film negative, which reverses the way I (we) look at things like relationships, community, spirituality, humanity, art and more.  It’s the backdrop of everyday life; honesty, truth and beauty gently nudging us to slow down and pay more attention to perhaps what’s an unknown territory to many of us.

A friend of mine said to me this week, “When something is taken away, it means that space is cleared for something better.”  Those words my friend spoke resonated in my heart and extended truth, beauty and hope to me when I needed it most.

Finding beauty, unexpected beauty in negative spaces attracts and stuns us in ways never imagined before.  Where and in what do you find beauty?  Are there negative spaces around you in need of light to reveal beauty, truth and honesty?

Order The Art of Helping Others T-shirt or other cool items like our embroidered ball cap or 2010 Calendar.  Visit our online merchandise store for other products, purchase our new hardcover book as a holiday gift for someone, or order a fine art print.

Remember; up to 25% of the net proceed from sales benefit World Vision and International Justice Mission, which positively impact communities worldwide.

No doubt the world has changed since then and sometimes it feels as if it’s leaning from its axis making the gravitational pull on my heart enormous.

The world is more global and our lives more interconnected than ever before, but have our lives and what we choose to do and choose not to do really changed that much?  Perhaps – or maybe we’re content with simply being content.

But what if you really wanted to change the world or at least the world around you?  Stop this very moment, breathe deeply, exhale and take an intentional 360-degree view of your world.  What do you see that needs to change?

What difference can you make in your life or in others?  If only you’d take the first step of faith and see that nothing really is impossible.  This doesn’t involve writing a business plan or being clever, but it does involve your heart and passion – unless you only want to live a passionless life.

Changing the world could simply mean being there for someone who needs you not to give advice and just listen with your ears – and your heart.  Or gathering a group of like-minded people to work together on a project, something that could have a ripple effect in your community carrying itself to the other side of your country – or even around the world impacting others lives.

Feel the gravitational pull on your heart?  Then, I dare you to step forward and change the world.

Order The Art of Helping Others new T-shirt or other cool items like our embroidered ball cap, 2010 calendar or visit our online merchandise store for other products.  You can also purchase our new hardcover book as a holiday gift for someone or order a fine art print.

Remember; up to 25% of the net proceed from sales benefit International Justice Mission and World Vision, which positively impact communities worldwide.

Art is about creating, but it’s also about re-discovering what we’ve lost or perhaps have forgotten.

As artists and art enthusiasts, can we honestly say that we’re engaged in our culture, that we’re soil-tillers in our communities and circles of influence – communicating revelations of truth that transcend all boundaries, revealing beauty and wonder, expressions of faith?

Or are we so self-absorbed to think it’s more about our art , and us than something bigger than ourselves?  Have we mindlessly wandered into the land and culture of consumerism?  Who are you?

Support the charitable work of The Art of Helping Others.  Order a T-shirt or other goodies like our new embroidered ball cap, 2010 Calendar or visit our online merchandise store for other cool products.  You can also purchase our new hardcover book as a holiday gift or order a fine art print.

Remember; up to 25% of the net proceed from sales benefit charitable humanitarian and advocacy organizations like World Vision that provides micro-loans to small business owners in developing countries, tackles extreme poverty and the fight against human trafficking.