Scott Erickson: Spiritual Formation Through Image Making, Contemplation, and Working With Creatives
Jun 29, 2018
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Scott Erickson, a touring painter and creative priest whose art has graced platforms like CNN, shares a heartfelt exploration of creativity and spirituality. He delves into overcoming burnout, and how art and storytelling helped him navigate personal challenges. Discover his unique exercises for prayer visualization and the significance of the Wailing Wall. The conversation highlights the healing power of creativity in communal grief and its potential to inspire action against social injustices, emphasizing a collaborative approach between art and the church.
Scott Erickson highlights the transformative power of art in navigating personal struggles and fostering communal healing through creative expression.
His approach to spiritual formation emphasizes the integration of emotional experiences in worship, making room for themes of grief and lament.
Erickson advocates for authenticity in artistry, encouraging creators to explore the human condition through their work and storytelling.
Deep dives
Announcing Future Gatherings
A new water-to gathering is scheduled for June 13-15, 2019, with early bird registration now open, presenting an opportunity for those interested to secure their spots at a discounted rate. This announcement is linked to a recent successful gathering that took place in 2018. Participants are encouraged to engage with the recordings from the previous event as they prepare for the upcoming experience. The excitement for the new gathering reflects the ongoing commitment to community building and shared spiritual experiences.
Journey of the Artist
Scott Erickson, a multifaceted artist known for his performance speaking and unique visual art, shares his background and creative process. His work integrates autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics, focusing on expressing deep emotional experiences through art. He has showcased his work on platforms such as CNN and National Geographic, and his recent installations were used in Tyler Perry's Passion Live. Through his experiences and storytelling, Scott reveals how artistic expression can navigate themes of personal pain and community healing.
Creating Through Adversity
Scott emphasizes the importance of transforming personal struggles, such as burnout and depression, into creative outlets. In his one-man show, 'We Are Not Troubled Guests', he explores the gifts found within existential crises through various forms of media, including storytelling and painting. This process not only conveys his own journey but also invites others to reflect on their experiences and emotions. By confronting pain and vulnerability, Scott illustrates how art can serve as a restoration tool for both the creator and the audience.
Art as a Transformational Tool in Community
Scott recounts his experiences in the Houston community where he worked to establish a visual culture within the church, demonstrating the power of art in fostering spiritual formation. Through emotional events such as the illness and passing of community members, he highlights how art provided a means for expression and collective healing. He initiated creative projects, including songs and prayers, that incorporated themes of grief and lament, altering the church's approach to worship and community connection. This emphasis on art allows individuals to engage more authentically with their experiences of loss and healing.
Reflecting on the Human Condition Through Art
Scott emphasizes that true artistry reflects the human condition, urging creators to look within themselves to express authenticity. He uses examples from music and film, like Johnny Cash's portrayal of struggles through song, as a testament to this connection. By exploring themes of despair and redemption, art becomes a vehicle for dialogue about deeper human experiences. Scott advocates for creating spaces where artists can express their truth, fostering a culture that acknowledges both joyous and painful moments as integral parts of the spiritual journey.