Seeing God Exhibit 2019

You're invited to ...

What:  "Seeing God" 2019 Juried Exhibit of Sacred Art
Where:  Benedictine Center Of St. Paul's Monastery, 2675 Benet Road St. Paul, MN 55109 (map)
When:  now through March 8, 2019, open 9a-6p daily

Related events
- Opening Reception:  Wed, Jan 30, Feb 6, 7-8:30p
- Artist Conversation: Sun, Feb 10, 1-3p

Some of the artwork in the 2018 "Seeing God" Show

For the second year in a row, Conie has stepped outside of the music box and into the realm of visual art.  

Publicly.  




Have you ever felt confined to a particular medium/format/instrument?  Someone may have dubbed you the musical one and so that's all you can do ... or would get recognition for ... 

Me too.  

My story of tiptoeing into visual art started about 5 years ago.  I was observing, as one does on social media, a friend receiving accolades for drawings she was creating.  She was good and definitely worthy of the kudos.  But I couldn't figure out why I felt hurt.  Was it because a mutual friend and former beau of mine was giving the complements?  (spoiler: the brain is sometimes irrational)

Through the windy illogical path of reflection, I finally realized that something within me needed to be expressed in a visual medium.  And I needed to free myself from the "Musician Only" title to do it.  

Allowing myself to be a beginner in visual expression has allowed me to just be.  To let my attention wander.  To try something and see what happens.  To practice letting the brainstorm and troubleshooter attempt something and notice my thoughts.  And to accept myself.  

Apparently, I showed up on the page (and Instagram) pretty frequently for a year or so.  And then the practice shifted as life does.  

I recently bought a few mixed media sketchbooks and markers on sale.  There may be more coming up...

Anyway, back to "Seeing God."  Here's the post from Drop Off Day 2019.  

View this post on Instagram

Check it out! I submitted a #watercolor I did w #revjohnmarboe during Lent last year to #seeinggodexhibit @stpaulsmonastery. ** Opening Reception is We’d, Jan 30, 630-8p (unfortunately I won’t be there as I’ll be waving my hands around) ** planning to attend the #artistsconversation scheduled for Sun, Feb 10, 1-3p! Join me then or just stop by between Jan 28-Mar 9.

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Jan 26, 2019 at 11:15am PST

Here's a close up of the original when it was painted last year.  What do you sense?  

View this post on Instagram

I've been hanging out with the good people at #zionlutheranstpaul on Thu evenings in Lent, exploring the #eastervigilstories thru different modalities. We watercolored tonight which I've never really done. Ok, I tried once but couldn't wrap my head around how to work with the medium. Thru Instagram videos I've been able to "watch" artists work and that's given me more context, guidance, and freedom to play. >> So, #whatdoyousense? Any guesses on which story this painting jumped from? >> And come join us. We sing, share stories, do a little #walkingmeditation, and some other activity that changes from week to week. Thursday's, 6p at 1697 Lafond Ave, St. Paul.

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Mar 1, 2018 at 6:40pm PST

Curious what I submitted in 2018?  Here it is in its original Instagram glory.  And here's the post from last year.

View this post on Instagram

What if G-d was pure ecstasy? Yearning and love? #doodlesacrednames #wouldprinceapprove

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Apr 25, 2016 at 10:27am PDT

Blessings on all the expression that is within you and yearning to be out in the world.